Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team to create exceptional Mediterranean dishes and memorable dining experiences.
- Company: The Boxford, a vibrant Mediterranean restaurant with a focus on creativity and excellence.
- Benefits: Up to £55,000 salary, complimentary meals, 28 days holiday, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape culinary innovation and inspire a passionate team in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef with a flair for food and customer service.
- Other info: Join a family-feel culture with ongoing training and a focus on personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 66000 £ per year.
The Boxford is a vibrant, ambitious Mediterranean restaurant where seasonal creativity, precision, and excellence are at the hearts of our culinary identity. As Head Chef, you will lead and inspire a high‑performing kitchen team to deliver exceptional food, memorable experiences, and operational excellence. This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, an obsession with detail, and the ability to maintain calm, focus, and professionalism within a dynamic kitchen environment. You will shape the culinary direction of The Boxford - driving innovation, developing menus that celebrate flavour, and ensuring consistent delivery of outstanding dishes. You will also cultivate a warm, respectful, and collaborative team culture that supports growth, learning, and long‑term development.
Key Responsibilities
- Inspire, lead and motivate the kitchen team to achieve business goals and exceptional service standards
- Mentor, coach, and train team members through regular 1:1s, PDPs, and performance management
- Manage recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and succession planning
- Create a culture of excellence, learning, and mutual respect; uphold grooming, professionalism, and hygiene standards
- Ensure high morale and team engagement through positive daily leadership
- Manage day‑to‑day kitchen operations to ensure smooth, efficient service for approximately 65 covers (up to 90 in peak service)
- Oversee food preparation, plating, and consistency to a high Rosette-level standard
- Maintain impeccable mise en place, production, cleanliness, and adherence to hygiene and food safety protocols
- Ensure the kitchen remains clean, efficient, and compliant with all H&S legislation (COSHH, Food Safety, Legal Regulations, Environmental Policies)
- Operate and maintain all kitchen equipment to ensure safe and effective 24/7 operation
- Lead on menu development, bringing seasonal, innovative, modern Italian flavours to life
- Drive innovation and continuously improve culinary standards, techniques, and processes
- Guide team members to cook and present dishes of exceptional quality, ensuring consistent guest satisfaction
- Manage all food budgets, recipe costing, GP targets, and overall kitchen profitability
- Plan and manage ordering in line with anticipated business levels
- Oversee stock rotation, storage, food utilisation, portion control, and waste minimisation
- Complete and oversee all kitchen administration tasks including due diligence logs, compliance documentation, and daily checklists
- Monitor adherence to all kitchen policies and procedures and implement improvements where required
- Attend and conduct departmental meetings to ensure smooth operational communication across the business
- Manage rotas, shift coverage, and resource planning across restaurant and events operations
- Anticipate guest needs and manage challenging service situations with professionalism and calm authority
Why join The Boxford?
- A nurturing, collaborative environment where talent is recognised, supported, and developed
- Genuine opportunities for progression into Senior leadership roles
- Ongoing training and development to support personal and professional growth
- A culture that celebrates initiative, curiosity, creativity, and attention to detail
Qualifications
- Proven experience as a Sous Chef, Senior Sous Chef or Head Chef.
- Proficiency in diverse cooking techniques and cuisines
- Leaving Cert level education or above NVQ qualification or equivalent
- Ability to display a real passion for food and customer service
- Flair and innovative with menus and food presentation
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
Additional Information
- WSH Restaurants has built a family‑feel culture where we offer development and progression for all.
- In addition to that, we also offer a range of benefits including:
- Complimentary meals during shifts
- 28 days holiday, increasing with length of service
- Life Assurance
- Recommend‑a‑friend scheme with significant referral bonuses
- Access to Perkbox, offering discounts across gyms, travel, shopping, gadgets and more
- Reward programmes, long service awards, staff recognition, and performance incentives
- Opportunity to develop and further your career within a fast growing and exciting company
- Employee Assistance Programme & wellbeing hub
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Head Chef in Newbury employer: WSH RESTAURANTS
Contact Detail:
WSH RESTAURANTS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Newbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and industry professionals. Attend culinary events, join local chef associations, or even hit up social media groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head Chef role at The Boxford!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and menu ideas. This is your chance to demonstrate your creativity and attention to detail, which are key for the Head Chef position. Don’t forget to include any innovative concepts you’ve developed!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios you might face in a kitchen environment. Think about how you would handle team dynamics, menu development, and maintaining high standards under pressure. We want you to shine when you meet the team at The Boxford!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining The Boxford family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to lead a fantastic kitchen team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Newbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! Share your culinary journey and what inspires you to create exceptional dishes. We want to see that spark of creativity and passion that aligns with our Mediterranean vibe.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've motivated and mentored your team in the past, and how you plan to cultivate a positive kitchen culture at The Boxford.
Be Detail-Oriented: Attention to detail is key in our kitchen! In your application, mention specific examples of how you've maintained high standards in food preparation, hygiene, and presentation. This will show us that you understand the importance of excellence in every dish.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success! It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and get to know you better. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join our vibrant team!
How to prepare for a job interview at WSH RESTAURANTS
✨Know Your Culinary Vision
Before the interview, think about how you would shape the culinary direction at The Boxford. Be ready to discuss your innovative ideas for seasonal menus and how you can bring Mediterranean flavours to life. This shows your passion and alignment with their culinary identity.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've inspired and led kitchen teams in the past. Discuss your approach to mentoring and coaching team members, as well as how you maintain high morale and professionalism in a busy kitchen environment. This will demonstrate your fit for the Head Chef role.
✨Highlight Your Attention to Detail
The Boxford values precision and excellence, so be ready to talk about how you ensure consistency in food preparation and presentation. Share specific instances where your attention to detail has led to outstanding guest satisfaction or improved kitchen operations.
✨Understand Operational Excellence
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of managing day-to-day kitchen operations. Be prepared to discuss how you handle budgeting, stock management, and compliance with health and safety regulations. This will show that you can maintain the high standards expected at The Boxford.
