Head Chef

Edesia Restaurant Bar & Lounge; Bath; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary £50,000-£60,000 per

Full-time, permanent employment

Opportunity to own kitchen operations

Career progression in a growing group

Job summary

Edesia Restaurant Bar & Lounge in Bath is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen, shape menus and drive exceptional guest experiences. This full-time, permanent role offers a competitive £50,000-£60,000 per annum salary, along with opportunities to own kitchen operations and influence culinary direction.

You will manage a busy kitchen, develop seasonal menus, supervise staff, monitor costs and ensure rigorous food-safety standards to deliver outstanding dishes that reflect our

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef in a busy, high-quality restaurant.
• Strong leadership and ability to develop a kitchen team.
• Experience in menu development and costing, maintaining quality.
• Solid knowledge of food safety and allergen regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen brigade to high standards.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations across lunch and dinner services.
• Manage rotas, labour costs and staffing levels.
• Recruit, train and mentor chefs to uphold quality.
• Develop and execute seasonal menus reflecting the restaurant identity.
• Maintain recipe specs, portion control and presentation standards.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and HACCP regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Cost management

Food safety

Team coaching

Operational excellence

Job description

Head Chef - £50,000-£60,000 per annum

Job Type: Full-time, PermanentSalary: £50,000-£60,000 per annumLocation: Bath, Somerset

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, passionate and highly motivated Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and oversee all aspects of kitchen operations.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious culinary professional with exceptional leadership skills, creativity and strong commercial awareness to take ownership of a busy, established restaurant kitchen.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering consistently outstanding food, developing innovative menus, managing kitchen performance and inspiring a talented team to achieve the highest standards.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in attention to detail and understands the importance of balancing exceptional food quality with operational efficiency and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Leadership & Management

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen brigade, fostering a positive, professional and high-performing working environment.

• Oversee all daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth and efficient service across lunch, dinner and private dining.

• Manage kitchen rotas, staffing levels and labour costs while maintaining operational efficiency.

• Recruit, train, mentor and develop chefs to ensure consistently high standards.

• Work closely with restaurant management and front-of-house teams to deliver a seamless guest experience.

• Take full accountability for kitchen performance, organisation and service standards.

Menu Development & Food Quality

• Lead menu planning, development and implementation, creating exciting seasonal dishes that reflect the restaurant's identity.

• Maintain exceptional standards of food preparation, presentation, consistency and flavour.

• Ensure all kitchen sections are fully prepared and organised ahead of service.

• Develop and execute menus for private dining, special occasions and large-scale events.

• Maintain strict recipe specifications, portion control and presentation standards.

• Ensure all dietary requirements and allergens are handled safely and professionally.

Financial Management & Stock Control

• Take responsibility for food costs, purchasing, stock management and kitchen profitability.

• Monitor gross profit margins and achieve agreed food cost targets.

• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate competitive pricing and maintain ingredient quality.

• Conduct regular stocktakes and maintain accurate inventory records.

• Minimise food waste through effective ordering, stock rotation and production planning.

• Identify opportunities to improve kitchen efficiency and profitability without compromising quality.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, HACCP, health and safety and allergen regulations.

• Maintain exceptional cleanliness and organisation throughout all kitchen areas.

• Oversee food storage, temperature monitoring, labelling and stock rotation.

• Ensure kitchen equipment is maintained and all operational procedures are followed.

• Maintain a safe, compliant and professional working environment.

About You

We are looking for an experienced culinary leader who combines creativity, strong operational management and a genuine passion for hospitality.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience as a Head Chef in a busy, high-quality restaurant environment.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, train and develop a kitchen brigade.

• Excellent culinary knowledge, technical ability and attention to detail.

• Experience in menu development, costing and maintaining food quality.

• Strong commercial awareness, including food cost management, stock control and profitability.

• Ability to perform effectively under pressure while maintaining consistently high standards.

• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.

• Thorough knowledge of UK food safety, hygiene and allergen legislation.

• A proactive, hands-on management style with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of £50,000-£60,000 per annum, depending on experience.

• Full-time, permanent employment.

• Opportunity to take ownership of kitchen operations and menu development.

• Supportive senior management and an established restaurant environment.

• Career progression opportunities within a growing independent restaurant group.

• The opportunity to shape the restaurant's culinary direction and make a genuine impact on its success.

Why Join Us?

We are an ambitious, independent restaurant group committed to delivering exceptional food, memorable hospitality and outstanding guest experiences.

We believe a successful kitchen is built on strong leadership, teamwork, creativity and consistency. We value individuals who take ownership of their responsibilities, lead by example and are passionate about continuously improving standards.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Head Chef to play a key role in the continued success and development of our restaurant.