At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop kitchen teams while ensuring exceptional food quality and safety standards.
- Company: Join Upham Inns, a vibrant hospitality group with a passion for great food and service.
- Benefits: Opportunity for permanent role, competitive salary, and hands-on training experience.
- Other info: Dynamic field-based role with extensive travel across Hampshire and Berkshire.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food experiences across premium pubs and develop future culinary talent.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef or Operations Chef with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Field Based | Home Counties, Hampshire & Berkshire
Initially offered as a 3-month fixed-term contract, with the opportunity to progress into a permanent role. An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a passionate and experienced Senior Operations Chef to join Upham Inns. Operating across 25 diverse managed venues, you will help deliver brilliant food experiences through four distinct menu formats, alongside locally driven specials, events, breakfasts, dinners, takeaway and buffet menus across our growing collection of premium pubs, inns and steakhouses.
This is a highly visible, field-based role where you will play a critical part in ensuring our kitchens consistently deliver exceptional food, outstanding safety standards and operational excellence. At Upham Inns, we believe great food starts with brilliant fundamentals. You’ll champion everything from the perfect breakfast and stunning daily specials to exceptional steaks and the best Sunday roast for miles around, ensuring every dish reaches our guests exactly as it was developed – first time, every time.
You will take pride in ensuring that our food operation’s vital statistics are second to none:
- Outstanding food quality and consistency.
- Industry-leading food safety and compliance standards.
- Five-star guest feedback and kitchen reputation.
- Strong kitchen teams with effective succession plans.
- A healthy talent pipeline of future Sous Chefs and Head Chefs.
- Robust kitchen systems that support safe, profitable and consistent food delivery.
Working closely with our Head Chefs and Operations teams, you will help embed best practice across:
- Stock control and ordering systems.
- Prep and production planning.
- Portion control and specification guides.
- Site-specific cleaning and food safety systems.
- Kitchen organisation and labour efficiency.
- Chef recruitment, development and succession planning.
A key part of the role will be developing our future culinary talent. You will support the induction and development of new Head Chefs and Sous Chefs, coach Commis Chefs and Chef de Parties through the ranks, and deliver both structured training programmes and hands-on coaching within our kitchens. You’ll be equally comfortable running an off-site training workshop as you are standing beside a chef during a busy service, helping them improve their skills and confidence.
This is not an office-based position. We are looking for a chef who leads from the front, is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and stepping into any of our kitchens when support is needed. Whether covering absence, supporting a new opening, coaching a team through a busy weekend or helping deliver service during peak trading periods, you’ll be a visible and hands-on presence in our business. You’ll spend your time in chef whites, supporting frontline teams, coaching and developing chefs at every level and helping ensure our kitchens are safe, compliant, profitable and consistently delivering exceptional food experiences.
To truly understand our guest journey and support our teams when it matters most, you’ll regularly work across all key dayparts. That means being present for early morning breakfasts, busy lunch services, late-night Friday and Saturday trading and, of course, the perfect Sunday roast. We believe standards are built and maintained during peak trading periods, so you’ll be highly visible in our kitchens when the business is at its busiest, providing hands-on support, coaching and leadership. This is a role for someone who prefers chef whites to spreadsheets. Whilst there will always be reports to review, actions to follow up and projects to deliver, your primary place of work will be in our kitchens, shoulder-to-shoulder with our teams, helping them execute safely, consistently and brilliantly.
We are looking for a true operations chef who gains satisfaction from seeing a service run flawlessly, developing great people and delivering exceptional food experiences for our guests.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef, Operations Chef or Multi-Site Chef.
- Experience gained across both branded and independent hospitality businesses would be advantageous.
- Strong operational, commercial and food safety knowledge.
- A passion for developing and coaching chefs at all levels.
- Excellent leadership and communication skills.
- A hands-on approach with a genuine love of being in kitchens.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Flexibility to travel extensively across Hampshire, Berkshire and the Home Counties.
- Willingness to undertake occasional overnight stays.
- Availability to support key trading periods including weekends and peak seasonal events.
Why Upham Inns?
At Upham Inns we’re passionate about serving up great memories through heartfelt hospitality, exceptional food and beautiful pubs. This is a unique opportunity to influence food standards across an entire collection of premium pubs, develop the next generation of great chefs and help shape the future of one of the South’s most exciting hospitality businesses. If you’re passionate about food, obsessed with standards and happiest when you’re in chef whites helping teams deliver their very best, we’d love to hear from you.
Senior Operations Chef in Havant employer: Upham Inns
Upham Inns is an exceptional employer that values passionate culinary professionals, offering a dynamic work culture where creativity and operational excellence thrive. With a commitment to developing future culinary talent, employees benefit from hands-on coaching, structured training programmes, and the opportunity to influence food standards across a diverse collection of premium venues in the picturesque Home Counties. Join us to be part of a team that prioritises heartfelt hospitality and exceptional food experiences, all while enjoying the flexibility of a field-based role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Chef in Havant
✨Get Your Foot in the Door with Walk-Ins
In the hospitality and food service game, a personal touch goes a long way. Instead of waiting for listings, why not walk into local restaurants, cafes, or hotels? Bring your best smile and a CV, and show them that you're eager to join their team right on the spot!
✨Tap into Seasonal Hiring Trends
With temporary roles often popping up during busy seasons, like summer or festive times, keep an eye out for openings as these businesses ramp up. Joining local community groups on social media can also help you stay ahead of the game: think pop-up events, seasonal fairs, or any openings in your area!
✨Utilise Your Network in the Industry
We all know people in the hospitality world, right? Now's the time to message those friends or acquaintances who might already be working in restaurants or bars. They could give you the insider scoop on who’s hiring or even put in a good word for you – it’s all about that inside connection!
✨Apply Through Us for Quick Visibility
Don't forget you can apply for temporary roles directly through our website! It’s not just about the big chain restaurants; many smaller, local places look there for quick hires. Plus, it helps us get you on the radar of employers looking for passionate workers like you, so what are you waiting for?
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Chef in Havant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality-food-service game, your ability to connect with customers is key. Make sure to highlight any relevant experience in your CV, like working in cafes or restaurants, and emphasise your skills in teamwork and communication. Don't forget to mention any customer service training or certifications you've got under your belt!
Flexibility is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to showcase your flexibility in your application. In your cover letter, mention your availability and willingness to work various shifts, including weekends or holidays. Employers love knowing they can rely on you during busy periods!
Bring Your Personality to the Front:In hospitality, it's not just about what you can do; it's about who you are! Let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A warm, engaging tone can really make your application stand out and show your potential to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.
Include Relevant References:References can make a huge difference in the hospitality-field. Consider including a couple of references from previous employers or colleagues in your CV who can vouch for your customer service skills and ability to thrive in fast-paced environments. This adds credibility and elevates your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Upham Inns
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In the hospitality-food-service sector, it's all about the customer experience. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've gone above and beyond for a customer or handled a difficult situation. They’ll appreciate knowing that you can keep your cool and maintain a positive attitude even when things get a bit hectic!
✨Know Your Menu Inside and Out
Whether you're applying for a temporary role as a server or in the kitchen, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the menu and any signature dishes they serve at Upham Inns. During the interview, they might ask about your food and drink recommendations, so having a few tasty suggestions up your sleeve will show you're genuinely interested in contributing to the team.
✨Emphasise Your Flexibility
Temporary roles often require a bit of juggling with shifts and responsibilities. Be sure to convey your willingness to adapt and take on different roles as needed. Share instances where you’ve quickly switched tasks or taken the initiative to help out your colleagues, showing that you're a team player.
✨Dress the Part and Exude Personality
In hospitality, first impressions matter! Even for a temporary position, donning smart-casual attire can set the right tone. Plus, don't hold back on your personality – let your enthusiasm shine through, as they’re looking for someone who can mesh well with the team and create a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
