The Role Outline: Your Shift at a Glance
Can you cook up a storm? It is our talented Chefs who are responsible for delivering mouth-watering menus filled with our customers' favourites, including juicy burgers, skewers, steaks, fish and chips, sandwiches, wraps, and more. We are all about relaxed all-day dining done well and with quality ingredients. As our Head Chef and Kitchen Manager, you own your kitchen. You will recruit, mentor, and inspire your brigade to deliver good food done great, while actively driving the commercial strategy and protecting your bottom line.
Why Village?
We do hospitality differently. No ego, no drama. We back our teams to take ownership and grow their careers. We show up to make a genuine difference, caring deeply about our impact on guests, the community, and each other.
Your Shift: What You’ll Actually Be Doing
We trust you to handle:
- The Food: Delivering mouth-watering menus. You will ensure dishes are cooked to exact company specifications, safely and consistently, because relaxed dining still requires absolute precision.
- The Brigade: Leading from the front. You will coach and motivate your team, replacing hiring guesswork with quantifiable application velocity metrics to recruit a resilient, high-performing kitchen staff.
- The Commercial Engine: Protecting the Gross Profit. You will review wage costs using TnA and manage stock to precise par levels to hit your financial targets.
- The Standards: Owning the audit. You will drive an absolute obsession with food safety and ensure strict EHO directives are met without compromise.
How We Succeed Together
We do not micromanage. We believe in Ownership & Integrity, giving you the autonomy to make decisions on the fly and run your kitchen your way.
Selling Our Benefits
- Health: Complimentary Health & Wellness Membership for you and a friend (worth £1,500), mental health days, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Stays & Food: Discounted stays from £35, 50% off at the Pub & Grill, and 30% off Starbucks.
- Extras: Salary drawdown via Wagestream, High Street discounts, Electric car scheme, and your birthday off guaranteed.
Think You’ve Got the Right Energy?
We are not looking for perfect CVs, we are looking for great people. If you have the commercial grit to run a high-volume kitchen and the passion to deliver our customers' favourites flawlessly, we want to hear from you.
At Village, we’re all about personality, ambition, and bringing your real self to work. Diverse perspectives are what keep our business buzzing, so whatever your background, you’ll find a welcoming place to build your career here.
Please note that we often receive a high volume of applications. Because of this, job roles may close earlier than the advertised closing date, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
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Head Chef / Kitchen Manager in Reading employer: Village Hotels
At Village, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where every team member is empowered to be themselves and grow their careers. As a Night Team Leader, you'll enjoy unique benefits such as discounted hotel stays, gym memberships, and a supportive environment that prioritises mental health and personal development. Join us in creating memorable experiences for our guests while being part of a dynamic team that truly cares about each other and the community.
