At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen at The Woburn Hotel, creating exceptional dishes and inspiring your team.
- Company: Join Upham Inns, a growing collection of premium pubs in beautiful settings.
- Benefits: Earn up to £50,000 plus tips, enjoy flexible shifts, and discounts for you and friends.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly team with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make your mark on a flagship site and elevate its food reputation.
- Qualifications: Proven Head Chef experience, excellent culinary skills, and a passion for quality.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 50000 £ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to take the helm of the kitchen at The Woburn Hotel, the flagship site within Upham Inns, as we begin an exciting new chapter in its already remarkable journey. Set in the heart of Woburn, this beautiful pub, restaurant and hotel deserves a food offer every bit as special as the setting – and we’re looking for an exceptional Head Chef to help us shape what comes next.
This is not a role for someone looking to simply maintain the status quo. We want a driven, energetic and charismatic kitchen leader with real ambition; someone who can inspire a team, set uncompromising standards and bring personality, creativity and commercial instinct to the kitchen. As we realign The Woburn and take it on the next stage of its food journey, you’ll have the opportunity to make your mark on one of the most important sites in our business and create a food reputation that makes The Woburn a destination in its own right.
What’s in it for you?
- Up to £50,000 of Tronc (this can be up to £8000 per year)
- Flexible shift patterns
- Up to 33% off meals taken off duty for you and up to 6 guests
- 33% off our hotel accommodation & 20% for Friends and Family
- Development program with a clear pathway
- Access to the lifestyle card – which will provide you with instant access to over 5,000 discounts across all aspects of their lifestyle.
- Service Awards
- Refer a friend and Chef recruitment incentives of up to £1000
Head Chef Requirements:
- Excellent Culinary and presentation skills
- Minimum 1 years experience as a Head Chef
- Excellent Communication and Interpersonal skills
- Energetic with passion to do a great job
- Able to manage staff in a calm, inspirational manner
- A forward-thinker that can manage stock with minimal wastage
- Demonstrates a passion for food
- Team Player
- Excellent organisation skills
- An understanding of profit margins and food stock controls.
- The Right to Work in the UK
Head Chef Responsibilities:
- Plan, organise and direct the preparation and cooking of food ensuring that the company's reputation for quality is enhanced
- Preparing high quality food for our guests quickly and efficiently
- Maintaining food hygiene and safety standards
- Responsibility for ordering and stock controls, reduction of waste
- Overseeing day to day kitchen operations in a proactive and hands-on way
- Leading a team of chefs and KP's, Train, Coach and mentoring is a must
- Maintaining a clean and organised kitchen
- Adhere to allergen laws and respect for dietary requirements
- Producing rotas and cleaning schedules for kitchen staff
We are looking to recruit a passionate and dedicated Head Chef who is a natural born leader to join us on our very exciting Journey. We are very passionate about what we do and the quality of the ingredients we cook with, so we need a Head Chef who loves to cook with raw ingredients as well as having the ability to coach and educate their team.
If you have previous Head Chef experience, a strong team approach, a real passion for delivering service excellence, and the strong desire to work within a progressive and expanding company – then we want to hear from you!
This is not for the faint hearted as we are busy and going to get busier, so we need an experienced high class operator to lead and manage our Kitchen whilst executing great food quality. It goes without saying that 5 star food hygiene standards come before everything.
What do we do?
We own a collection of beautiful and individual premium pubs across Southern England. Our pubs are in idyllic settings in country villages and towns, where we are proud to be the quality local of the area, serving high quality fresh pub food in a cozy pub ambience. Most of our pubs have some Charming Bedrooms as well. New to our growing family is Harper’s Steakhouse, a new premium American Steakhouse brand that we started rolling out last year.
It’s an exciting time to join us! Upham Inns is growing, and we want you to grow with us and be part of our success. We’ve been busy investing in our business and we are seeing some great results. So, we want to continue to grow our pub family and we are looking to recruit passionate people into our team. We are looking for great people to join us.
Our company is big enough to support you but small enough to care about your individual needs. We are a friendly, hands-on team who have a passion for running great pubs. We are always on the lookout for like-minded people who have the desire to work and grow with us.
Head Chef in Milton Keynes employer: Woburn
At Las Iguanas, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture. Our team members enjoy flexible working arrangements, generous discounts, and comprehensive wellbeing support, all while being part of a lively environment that celebrates individuality and teamwork. With opportunities for career growth through fully funded apprenticeships and a commitment to employee development, joining us means becoming part of a family that values your contributions and encourages you to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Milton Keynes
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Woburn. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Woburn
Don't be shy about reaching out to Woburn directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Woburn and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Woburn
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
