Head Chef in St Albans

Head Chef in St Albans

St Albans Full-Time 35000 - 45000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team to create exceptional dishes and maintain high standards.
  • Company: The Old Cock Inn, a charming pub and restaurant in Harpenden.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, and a vibrant work environment.
  • Why this job: Join us to inspire a team and craft delicious meals in a lively setting.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef in a premium environment with a passion for fresh food.
  • Other info: Opportunity to develop your leadership skills and make a real impact.

The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.

The Old Cock Inn, HARPENDEN, is a delightful pub & restaurant in the heart of Harpenden, offering guests the added benefit of six boutique bedrooms. We have a stylish and cosy restaurant, a relaxed and informal bar area with a roaring log fire for the colder months, and our lovely terrace garden at the back. We’re what you might call a ‘proper pub’ serving a selection of real ales and craft beers, alongside an extensive wine, gin and spirit list.

Your role as Head Chef:

  • Responsible for all food production ensuring that food is prepared to an exemplary standard.
  • Overall accountability for hygiene and health and safety within the kitchen.
  • Ensuring all team members are fully trained and aware of how food is stored, rotated and disposed of and monitoring their adherence.
  • To ensure that food and labour costs are effectively managed in order to achieve a strong food margin and labour within budget.
  • Responsible for the recruitment, training, coaching and development of the kitchen team to ensure the delivery of excellent food quality and guest satisfaction.
  • To train and coach the front of house team to ensure that they have a good knowledge of all menu items so that our guest service is of the highest standards.
  • Ensure that company policies and procedures are followed by checking Food Safety and Health & Safety daily and Business Due Diligence on a weekly basis.
  • Complete daily and weekly stock checks and ensure that all invoices are processed daily and accounted for.

What we are looking for:

  • Currently a Head Chef with a background in a premium environment and passion for fresh food.
  • The ability to deliver to excellent standards in a fast paced and pressurised environment.
  • Leadership qualities including motivating your team through holding regular and engaging team meetings and briefs.
  • A role model and a vision to inspire the kitchen team.
  • Ability to deal with poor performers in a fair and constructive way.

We will provide you with a great package.

Head Chef in St Albans employer: Wells and Co.

The Old Cock Inn is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity and passion for fresh food thrive. Located in the heart of Harpenden, we provide our team with opportunities for professional growth through training and development, all while enjoying the charm of a traditional pub environment that values quality and guest satisfaction.
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Contact Detail:

Wells and Co. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Chef in St Albans

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and industry professionals. Attend local food events or join culinary groups to meet people who might know about job openings before they’re even advertised.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or pop-up dinner to showcase your culinary talents. This not only gives you a chance to impress potential employers but also helps you build a portfolio of your work.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply online; follow up! After submitting your application through our website, drop a friendly email or call to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare for the interview by practising common questions and scenarios you might face in the kitchen. Be ready to discuss how you handle pressure and lead a team, as these are key for a Head Chef role.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in St Albans

Food Production Management
Hygiene and Health Safety Compliance
Team Training and Development
Cost Management
Recruitment Skills
Coaching Skills
Menu Knowledge
Stock Management
Leadership Skills
Motivational Skills
Performance Management
Communication Skills
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for fresh food shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary journey and how it aligns with our vision at The Old Cock Inn.

Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership qualities. Talk about how you've motivated teams in the past and any successful training initiatives you've implemented.

Be Detail-Oriented: We value hygiene and safety, so don’t forget to mention your experience with health and safety standards. Include specific examples of how you've maintained these in previous roles to show us you’re the right fit.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us.

How to prepare for a job interview at Wells and Co.

✨Know Your Menu Inside Out

Make sure you’re familiar with the menu and can discuss each dish confidently. Be prepared to talk about your favourite ingredients, cooking techniques, and how you would elevate the current offerings at The Old Cock Inn.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Think about times when you motivated your team or dealt with performance issues. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and manage effectively.

✨Emphasise Hygiene and Safety Knowledge

Be ready to discuss your approach to maintaining hygiene and health standards in the kitchen. Share specific practices you’ve implemented in previous roles to ensure compliance and safety, as this is crucial for the role.

✨Discuss Cost Management Strategies

Think about how you’ve managed food and labour costs in the past. Be prepared to share strategies that have worked for you, as well as how you plan to maintain strong margins while delivering excellent food quality.

Head Chef in St Albans
Wells and Co.
Location: St Albans

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