Head Chef

Mad Swans; Alton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A new social venue in the South Downs, near Alton, is seeking a skilled Head Chef to lead their kitchen operations. You will shape this new role, focusing on high food quality, team leadership, and exceptional hygiene standards. Responsibilities include managing daily operations, recruiting and mentoring staff, and ensuring outstanding dining experiences. This full-time position offers a competitive salary of £45,000 - £50,000 per annum, along with employee perks such as discounts and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Free Parking

Free Employee Meal

Employee Discounts

Wage Stream access

Team Social Activities

Mad Swans Water Bottle

Mad Swans Hoodie

Qualifications

• Experienced in a Head Chef or Sous Chef role.
• Confidence in leading kitchen operations.
• Ability to recruit, train, and mentor a kitchen team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Maintain hygiene and food safety standards.
• Collaborate with the General Manager on daily operations.

Skills

Food quality focus

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Creativity

Hygiene standards

Ability to multi-task

Education

Food Safety Level 3 qualification

Job description

Overview

Head Chef

"Hospitality expert, paddle tennis enthusiast"

You bring your expertise, enthusiasm, and curiosities; and we’ll provide you with a space to play.

Contract – Full Time – Permanent, 48 hours a week

Salary – £45,000 - £50,000 per annum, including TRONC (Tips & Service Charge)

Location – Onsite role at Mad Swans in the South Downs, Frith End Road, Blacknest, Hampshire, GU34 4QL

Mad Swans is looking for a full-time Head Chef to join our budding team. You’ll be the first person to step into this role and shape it at our first site: Mad Swans in the South Downs. Mad Swans in the South Downs is located in Blacknest near Farnham & Alton.

What we do

We are experts in our field, committed to creating boundary-pushing social spaces that spark meaningful connections through play in nature. We’re opening our second countryside hangout for mavericks, offering social play spanning Padel Tennis, Pickleball, Darts, Shuffleboard and Golf, alongside two distinct dining experiences: The Potting Shed (Brasserie classics) and The Hangout (shareable plates). An Eco Cabin for the night sits nearby for guests who want to extend their visit.

What there is to it

As this is a brand-new role for a new opening, you won’t just be running the kitchen – you’ll be shaping it. From building your dream team to setting the pace for daily service, you’ll be at the core of everything that happens at Mad Swans in the South Downs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day kitchen operations with confidence, energy and attention to detail
• Recruit, train, and mentor a skilled and motivated kitchen team
• Foster a kitchen environment that’s positive, respectful, and high‑performing
• Maintain impeccable hygiene and food safety standards, and ensure every dish meets guest expectations
• Keep your skills and knowledge fresh, bringing new ideas and best practices to the table
• Complete weekly stock takes and manage orders and deliveries while ensuring SOPs, recipe specifications, and procedures are followed using Procure Wizard
• Represent Mad Swans and the wider company with pride and professionalism
• Work closely with the General Manager and liaise daily with the team about events, specials, and VIPs
• Complete weekly kitchen schedules two weeks in advance
• Collaborate with the Group Head Chef and maintain strong communication
• Report Health & Safety issues, hazards, accidents or near misses to the Senior Management Team during the weekly H&S meeting

Qualifications and attributes

• Experienced in a Head Chef or Sous Chef role
• Genuine passion for food, creativity and high standards
• Focus on food quality, presentation and hygiene
• Excellent communicator
• Strong organisational skills and ability to multi-task
• Confident, outgoing and well-presented
• Hands-on and willing to assist with day-to-day duties in a small team
• Self-driven and highly motivated
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Proactive, positive and resilient by nature
• Solutions-driven
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Food Safety Level 3 qualification is desirable but not essential
• Please note, you must be eligible to work in the UK; we are unable to sponsor work permits or visas

What is in it for you

• Tips & Service Charge
• Free Parking
• Free Employee Meal whilst on shift
• Wage Stream – access your pay for hours worked before payday
• Employee Discounts on Food, Sports, Activities, Cabins and in the Retail Shop
• Reward & Recognition Initiatives
• Team Social & Well-being Activities & Events
• Employee Referral Scheme Bonus
• Mad Swans Water Bottle
• Mad Swans Hoodie
• Plant your own tree at Mad Swans

Location and working details

Location – onsite role at Mad Swans in the South Downs, Frith End Road, Blacknest, Hampshire, GU34 4QL

Working Hours – shift times vary; kitchen operation hours are 6.00 am to 11.00 pm

Working Days – any five days out of seven; weekends regularly

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a Head Chef who is:

• Experienced and has previous experience in a Head Chef or Sous Chef role
• Genuine passion for food, creativity and high standards
• Focused on food quality, presentation and hygiene
• Excellent communicator
• Strong organisational skills and ability to multi-task
• Confident, outgoing and well-presented
• Happy to be hands-on and assist with day-to-day duties as part of a small team
• Self-driven and highly motivated
• Happy and able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Proactive, positive and resilient by nature
• Solutions driven
• Comfortable working in a very fast-paced environment
• Food Safety Level 3 qualification is desirable but not essential
• Please note, you must be eligible to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor any work permits or visas

How to Apply

If you believe you have what it takes to come on-board and would like to be part of something new and exciting, we would love to hear from you. Please simply apply by hitting the apply button.

Recruitment Agencies

We are not working with any recruitment agencies at this time. As such, we do not accept any speculative CVs and/or candidate profiles and are, therefore, unable to consider these.