Head Chef

Heartwood Inns; Adwell; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A multi-award-winning hospitality group is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead and inspire their kitchen team. This role focuses on maintaining high standards using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The ideal candidate has 3-4 years of experience in branded operations and strong leadership skills. Enjoy a competitive salary package, including TRONC and various benefits like private healthcare and generous discounts. Join a warm community dedicated to culinary excellence and progress within a growing company.

Benefits

Competitive salary package including TRONC

Private healthcare through Bupa

50% off food at Heartwood sites

Additional holiday entitlement

Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to Work Scheme

Referral Bonus up to £1,500

Qualifications

• Must be able to run a service from the line with fresh food cuisine.
• Deliver training and support to a team of chefs.
• Proven record of leadership skills and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team to maintain high standards.
• Work magic with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Control kitchen financial aspects and hit KPIs.

Skills

Passion for food and culture

Leadership skills

Ability to run a kitchen

Fresh food cuisine knowledge

Training and mentoring ability

Education

3-4 years experience as a Head Chef

Branded operations knowledge

Tools

Procure Wizard

Job description

Head Chef

Up to £55,0000 * Including TRONC

Relocation package available up to £5,000 (to be discussed at interview)

We’re on the hunt for an experienced Head Chef who can lead and inspire their team, work magic with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and maintain the highest standards across the Heartwood Collection. If you care deeply about quality, enjoy mentoring others, and want to bring vibrant, honest cooking into homes and hearts, this is the role for you.

We’re an award‑winning group of cosy pubs and atmospheric brasseries that truly feel like home. From the elegance of Brasserie Blanc to the charm of Heartwood Inns, we pride ourselves on serving fresh, seasonal dishes to our local communities.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary package, includes TRONC* and Bonus based on KPIs
• Contract of 48 hours
• Private healthcare through Bupa
• The Pantry
• 100s of retailers and experience discounts through Reward Gateway
• 50% off food at any Heartwood Collection sites
• 20% off Friends & Family discount on food at any Heartwood Collection sites
• 33% discount when booking our Heartwood Rooms
• 15% Friends & Family discount on our Heartwood Rooms
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity package
• 25 days of holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Up to £1,500 Referral Bonus
• Additional holiday – option to buy an extra 5 days holiday per year
• Instant access to pay you have already earned through EarlyPay
• Employee Assistance Program with Hospitality Action
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• A thoughtful gift to celebrate your birthday
• Long service rewards

About You:

• Be passionate about the food, culture and bringing out the best in the food, service and people
• Must be able to run a service from the line, fresh food cuisine and delivering training and support to a team of chefs
• Able to run all aspects of a kitchen and team, proven record of leadership skills, delivering results and reporting to the Area Chefs
• 3‑4 years experience as a Head Chef with branded operations knowledge and taking control of financial aspects of running a kitchen and hitting KPIs
• Previous experience of using Procure Wizard would be preferable.

Heartwood Collection

Heartwood Collection is a multi‑award‑winning hospitality group :

• Sunday Times Best Places to Work winner 2024
• Double winner at the Publican Awards 2024
• Best Pub Brand / Concept at the Publican Awards 2025

At Heartwood Collection, we’re excited about the future. With over 40 locations now and plans to expand to more than 60 by 2027, including over 500 bedrooms, there’s never been a better time to join us. We’re committed to growing our team with progression opportunities across our estate.

Join us and be part of a community that’s warm, genuine, and full of life.

TRONC is calculated from the expected 6 months' site average