At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and innovate seasonal menus using fresh, local ingredients.
- Company: The Westgate, a welcoming pub with a rich history in Winchester.
- Benefits: Full menu autonomy, culinary masterclasses, discounts, and 28 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a supportive community of chefs and enjoy excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Lead a passionate team and showcase your culinary creativity in a vibrant pub setting.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
The Westgate is a welcoming pub with rooms located at the top of the High Street in Winchester. Overlooking the historic town centre, we offer a traditional style British pub experience with a selection of local ales, quality dining, boutique rooms and a warm welcome guaranteed.
Being a Head Chef at Young's means that you'll be writing your own recipes that match the food vision of your business using fresh seasonal ingredients. The food vision could be all about showcasing local produce, country pub classics, seafood, small plates and sharers, dry-aged meat - each pub is different and it's up to you as head chef to put your own creative stamp on that vision. We work with fresh, seasonal produce, so the menu should constantly evolve to showcase these fantastic ingredients when they are at their best.
What we offer our Head Chefs:
- Full autonomy to create your own menus and specials
- Access to our Apprenticeship Scheme and Development Programmes
- Access to regular culinary masterclasses covering topics such as Game, Butchery and Shellfish
- Access to inspirational food trips with our top quality suppliers
- Regular Chef Forums with other Head Chefs to inspire and develop
- Free meals
- 20% discount in all Young's Pubs and 30% discount on overnight stays in our Pubs with Rooms
- Share save Scheme
- Enhanced Company Pension Scheme
- 28 Days Holiday per year
What we look for in a Head Chef:
- Someone that can inspire a team, to bring out the potential and lead by example whilst being able to develop, cost and produce fresh seasonal menus for the variety of revenue streams within the business.
- Experience championing excellent service through quality food either as a Head Chef or in the position of Sous Chef
- A passion for leading and developing a team
- An active hands-on team player with excellent communication skills
- Ability to manage the kitchen staff rota, training and all health and safety effectively at all times
- Creativity and ability to design and deliver new dishes for our menus and daily specials
- Great planning and organisational skills, necessary to maintain effective controls with regard to both GP and labour
- A pro-active approach to driving sales and delivering growth, through engagement with both kitchen and front of house teams
Head Chef in Winchester employer: Westgate
Westgate in Winchester is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture where creativity thrives and culinary skills are honed. With a focus on fresh seasonal ingredients and a commitment to employee growth through structured programmes and masterclasses, you will find ample opportunities to advance your career in a supportive environment. Join our welcoming team and enjoy the unique experience of courtyard dining while developing your expertise as a Chef de Partie.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and industry folks. Attend local food events or culinary workshops to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, share some of your unique recipe ideas or menu concepts. This will demonstrate your ability to craft dishes that align with their food vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Be hands-on during interviews! If you're asked to do a cooking demonstration or create a dish, go all out. Use this opportunity to highlight your skills and show how you can lead a team in crafting premium fresh food.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing passionate chefs who want to join our team. Make sure to check out our job listings and submit your application directly to us for the best chance of landing that Head Chef role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creativity:As a Head Chef, we want to see your unique culinary flair! When writing your application, don’t hold back on showcasing your creative ideas for menus and specials. Let us know how you plan to use fresh, seasonal ingredients to create mouth-watering dishes that reflect your vision.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead a team. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Talk about your experience in training staff and fostering a positive work environment – it’s all about teamwork!
Be Specific About Your Experience:When detailing your previous roles, be specific about your responsibilities and achievements. Whether you’ve been a Head Chef or Sous Chef, highlight your experience with menu development, cost control, and maintaining high standards of food safety. We love numbers, so if you’ve driven sales growth, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to take the plunge? Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and we can’t wait to read your application and see how you can bring your passion for fresh food to The Westgate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Westgate
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
Prepare to discuss your unique food vision and how you would incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients into your menu. Bring along a few recipe ideas that reflect your style and demonstrate your ability to innovate while respecting traditional British pub fare.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Be ready to share examples of how you've inspired and developed your team in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference in the kitchen, whether it was through training, mentoring, or fostering a positive work environment.
✨Know Your Numbers
Understand the financial aspects of running a kitchen, including GP and labour costs. Be prepared to discuss how you would manage these effectively while still delivering high-quality dishes. Showing that you can balance creativity with business acumen will impress the interviewers.
✨Engage with the Front of House
Talk about your approach to collaboration between the kitchen and front of house teams. Share strategies on how you would drive sales and enhance customer experience through effective communication and teamwork, as this is crucial for a successful pub environment.
