Designate Head Chef - Oxford/Witney

Bella Italia; Oxford; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive package

Staff discounts

Apprenticeships funded

Employee assistance programme

Wages before payday benefits

Job summary

Bella Italia in Oxford is seeking a Designate Head Chef to lead kitchen operations across locations, ensuring every dish showcases authentic Italian flair and delivers an outstanding guest experience.

You will drive profitability by managing costs, mentoring a talented team, upholding the brand’s standards for quality, cleanliness and safety, and adapting to varying site needs with strong leadership and hospitality focus.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
• Ability to manage profitability and food cost with strong hands-on leadership.
• Commitment to high standards of cleanliness and kitchen hygiene.
• Willingness to work across multiple locations as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the guest experience by ensuring every dish is cooked to perfection.
• Collaborate with management to achieve restaurant goals.
• Maintain high kitchen hygiene and safety standards.
• Develop and nurture talent within the team.
• Analyse profit & loss to drive cost efficiency.

Job description

At Bella Italia, we believe that the best moments in life are spent with loved ones sharing food, friendship, laughter, and the joy of the Italian table. If you have a passion for pizza, pasta, and leading a fantastic team, then this is the job for you! Come and be part of the Bella Italia family as a Designate Head Chef.

Why Join Bella?

We know that happy teams create the best experiences, so we offer:

• Competitive Package – 45-hour contract, quarterly bonus and opportunity to earn Tronc.
• Amazing Discounts – 50% off food and drink across all Big Table Group brands and 25% for friends & family.
• Career Growth – Fully funded apprenticeships in Hospitality Management (Level 4).
• Wellbeing & Support – Our Employee Assistance Programme includes a 24/7 virtual GP, mental health support, a second medical opinion service, and more.
• Perks & Rewards – Access to wages before payday, discounted gym memberships, and savings on theme parks, shopping, and more!
• Team Competitions & Events – Win a trip to Italy, team parties, and even a chance to win e-points to spend on your favourite retailers.

What You’ll Do As a Designate Head Chef

• Work closely with the management team to achieve restaurant goals.
• Adaptable and flexible, happy to work across different locations based on business needs
• Lead the guest experience by ensuring every dish is cooked to perfection.
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and kitchen hygiene.
• Create a fun, motivating team environment, with a focus on developing and nurturing talent.
• Be commercially minded analysing profit & loss accounts to make strong financial decisions and drive efficiency.

Who We’re Looking For

If you’ve got a real passion for food, enjoy bringing people together, and thrive in the buzz of a fast‑paced, guest‑first environment, you might just be the perfect fit for us. At Bella Italia, our teams are like family. We put people at the heart of everything we do, creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where you can be yourself, feel supported, and grow your career. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process, just let us know – we’ve got you. Thinking about using AI tools for your application? They can be great for getting started, but what really makes an application shine is you, your energy, experience, personality, and leadership style.

What’s the process?

Application → CV review → friendly phone chat → first‑stage interview → second‑stage interview → offer and onboarding At Bella Italia, we don’t just look for experience – we look for people with a genuine love for hospitality who care about their teams and our guests. If that sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you to the family. Join the Bella Italia family today and work somewhere awesome! Don’t just take our word for it we’re proud to be named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026.