Head Chef

Acorn Pubs; Ampthill; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Nest pension

Life assurance

Staff discounts

Cycle to work

EV scheme

Referral bonus

Wagestream pay flexibility

Job summary

The White Hart in Ampthill is seeking a Head Chef to lead a busy, high-volume kitchen within Acorn Pubs. You’ll drive seasonal menus, coach a talented team and ensure exceptional food quality.

Join a supportive Brunning & Price family, with training, progression opportunities and a strong culture of excellence in fresh, seasonal cooking.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a busy, high-volume kitchen in a premium pub or restaurant.
• Ability to develop seasonal menus with Executive Chefs.
• Strong stock, GP, and labour cost management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a kitchen team to deliver high-quality seasonal dishes.
• Maintain food safety standards and drive consistency across all service levels.
• Collaborate with pub managers to grow the business and guest satisfaction.
• Oversee inventory, GP and labour costs during service and peak hours.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Menu development

Stock control

Food safety

Job description

The White Hart sits at the heart of the beautiful market town of Ampthill, and we're looking for an ambitious Head Chef to lead our kitchen and make their mark on this much-loved pub.

As part of Acorn Pubs, within the Brunning & Price family, you'll have the freedom to put your own stamp on the food, while having the backing, support and career opportunities of an established and highly respected pub group.

We're looking for a chef who is passionate about great seasonal food, quality ingredients and proper cooking, but who also understands that a brilliant kitchen is built around its people.

You'll have the opportunity to develop menus that showcase the best of the seasons, work with a talented kitchen team and create the kind of food that makes guests want to return again and again.

This is a role for a Head Chef who enjoys being hands‑on, takes pride in their standards and loves developing people. Someone who can lead from the front during a busy service, but also step back and coach, inspire and develop their team.

You'll be joining a pub with real character, a loyal local following and a fantastic opportunity to build on its success.

And because we're part of Brunning & Price, you'll have the best of both worlds — the personality and independence of an individual pub, combined with the support, training and progression opportunities of a larger group.

If you're ready for your next Head Chef role and want somewhere you can make a real difference, develop a great team and be proud of the food you put on the plate, we'd love to hear from you.

Come and make The White Hart your next home.

And there'splenty more in it for you:

Our Offer

• Package up to £55k**including TRONC

The Extras

• We know you work hard so we feed you well - free meals on shift, choose from the menu!
• 30% discount for you, your friends and family across Acorn Pubs, Brunning & Price and our group including wagamama and selected airport pubs and restaurants.
• It’s never too early to start saving for the future with a NEST pension.
• Protection for your family with life assurance.
• Great discounts via Perks on Tapsaving you money on everyday purchases and more.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Electric vehicle scheme.
• £1,000 referral bonus for introducingnew Managers or Chefsto the company.
• Wagestream - use flexiblepay to choose when to get paid.

Your Wellbeing – it’simportant to us!

• Free 24-hour confidential legal and information helpline for you and your family.
• Bespoke wellbeing support offering free counselling for all crew.
• Access to health checks and virtual GP appointments.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Plenty of social get togethers – it’s not all work and no play.
• Recognition platform with regular thankyous.

We want you to grow with us!

• Superb internal and external development programmes to support your progress.
• Advanced Leadership Skills course enhancing self-awareness and soft skills.
• Regular days out and events around fresh seasonal produce.
• We encourage movement between our pubs so you can have a long‑term career with us.

About you...

Our kitchens are dynamic, fast paced, and high volume so you will have experience of being a head chef, chef manager, kitchen manager or senior sous chef in a busy, premium fresh food environment. You will be responsible for the food culture within your pub, working closely with the pub manager to drive the business forward, helping to formulate seasonal menus with our Executive Chefs. We are looking for a confident leader who will nurture their team and create an inclusive and supportive environment. You’ll also need excellent business acumen to manage a well‑run kitchen, keeping on top of your stock, GPs and labour controls.

About Acorn Pubs...

• A collection of 10 pubs, 6 of which have bedrooms.
• Our wider company, Brunning and Price, includes 79 pubs across the country.
• A company with heart, where individuality, personality and diversity are encouraged.
• A company committed to reducing our carbon footprint, working sustainably and supporting our local communities.
• @brunningandpricecareers

Are you ready to be part of a family where you can genuinely contribute to the food culture? Then make your next career move a Head Chef position with us.

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