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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen, create seasonal menus, and inspire your team.
- Company: Join Young's Pubs, a vibrant hospitality group with unique food visions.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, holidays, and access to culinary masterclasses.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Grow your reputation as a chef while working in a creative and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef with strong leadership and menu development skills.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 54000 £ per year.
We are looking for experienced Head Chefs who are adept at creating and cooking dishes with fresh seasonal ingredients for some of our pubs in Surrey. You will be in charge of writing recipes to create your menus and specials, developing your team in the kitchen, and looking after all aspects of kitchen management. The majority of our Surrey sites are food-led venues, offering the opportunity to grow your reputation as a chef both with our guests in the local area and within a large company where every pub has its own individual food vision and menu.
Alongside your salary and service charge, you will have access to a whole heap of benefits, as well as development and inspirational opportunities:
- 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 - foraging, fishing, farm visits and more
- Regular Chef Forums with other Head Chefs to inspire and develop
- Free meals
- 20% discount in all Young's pubs and hotels
- Share save Scheme
- Enhanced Company Pension Scheme
- 28 Days Holiday per year
What we look for in a Head Chef:
- Ability to inspire a team, bringing out potential and leading by example while developing, costing and producing fresh seasonal menus for various revenue streams
- Experience championing excellent service through quality food either as a Head Chef or in the position of Sous Chef
- Demonstrated passion for leading and developing a team
- Active hands-on team player with excellent communication skills
- Responsible and able to manage the kitchen staff rota, training and all health and safety effectively at all times
- Ability to demonstrate creativity and design new dishes for menus and daily specials
- Great planning and organisational skills necessary to maintain effective controls regarding both GP and labour
- Pro-active approach to driving sales and delivering growth through engagement with both kitchen and front of house teams
Skills required include Menu Development, Food Safety, and Food Preparation.
Contact Detail:
Young's Pubs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network with other chefs and industry professionals in your area. Attend local culinary events or workshops to meet people who might have insights or connections that could help you land the Head Chef role at Young's Pubs.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity by sharing your culinary creations on social media. Use platforms like Instagram to post photos of your dishes, which can help demonstrate your skills and passion for food to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Young's Pubs and their menu offerings thoroughly. Understanding their food vision and being able to discuss how you can contribute to it during an interview will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully developed kitchen teams in the past. Being able to articulate your approach to team management will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the Head Chef position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef. Focus on your skills in menu development, team leadership, and kitchen management, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for cooking with fresh seasonal ingredients and your ability to inspire a team. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully developed menus or led a kitchen team in the past.
Showcase Your Creativity: Include examples of unique dishes or menus you’ve created in previous roles. This will demonstrate your creativity and ability to deliver new ideas, which is essential for this position.
Highlight Leadership Skills: Emphasise your experience in training and developing kitchen staff. Provide examples of how you've managed a team effectively, ensuring high standards of food safety and quality service.
How to prepare for a job interview at Young's Pubs
✨Showcase Your Creativity
As a Head Chef, creativity is key. Be prepared to discuss your previous menu creations and how you incorporate seasonal ingredients. Bring along examples of your work or even a portfolio of dishes you've designed.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership. Share experiences where you've successfully led a kitchen team, developed staff, or improved kitchen operations. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate others.
✨Discuss Food Safety Knowledge
Food safety is crucial in any kitchen. Be ready to talk about your experience with health and safety regulations, training staff on these practices, and how you ensure compliance in your kitchen.
✨Prepare for Menu Development Questions
Expect questions about your approach to menu development. Think about how you balance creativity with cost control and how you adapt menus based on customer feedback and seasonal availability.