Head Chef

Pheasantatneenton; Bridgnorth; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pheasant at Neenton is seeking an ambitious Head Chef to lead the kitchen team and shape the food offering, bringing seasonal menus and strong supplier relationships to a community-owned pub in Shropshire.

You will own day-to-day kitchen operations, develop menus that celebrate local produce, and build a positive kitchen culture while working closely with front-of-house and management to drive hospitality excellence.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates leadership of a kitchen team and mentors chefs at different levels.
• Ability to create seasonal menus that reflect local produce and country-pub hospitality.
• Strong understanding of food costs, GP, stock control, and kitchen profitability.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operation including prep, service and systems.
• Develop and cost seasonal menus featuring local ingredients and suppliers.
• Recruit, train and develop a strong kitchen team.
• Establish standards for consistency, hygiene and kitchen organisation.
• Manage ordering, stock, and waste to protect profitability.
• Foster a positive, professional kitchen culture and teamwork with front of house.
• Collaborate with management to shape future food direction and events.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food costing

Staff development

Communication

Job description

Lead the kitchen of a much-loved community-owned Shropshire country pub

About the role:

We are looking for an ambitious, passionate and inspirational Head Chef to lead the kitchen team, shape the food offering and help write the next chapter of The Pheasant at Neenton.

As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the day-to-day kitchen operation while developing seasonal menus, building supplier relationships, supporting the wider management team and creating a positive food culture rooted in Shropshire produce and genuine country-pub hospitality.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading the day-to-day kitchen operation, including prep, service and kitchen systems
• Developing seasonal menus that showcase Shropshire produce, local suppliers and generous country-pub food
• Recruiting, training, mentoring and developing a strong kitchen team
• Establishing clear standards for consistency, presentation, hygiene and kitchen organisation
• Managing ordering, stock control, food costs, GP, waste and kitchen profitability
• Building a positive, professional kitchen culture where people enjoy coming to work
• Working closely with front of house to deliver smooth, joined-up hospitality
• Helping shape the future food direction, events offer and reputation of The Pheasant

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine passion for local, seasonal and quality ingredients
• Understands what makes a great country pub kitchen and food-led hospitality business
• Can create delicious, appealing menus that are creative, consistent and commercially viable
• Is an exceptional leader, communicator and mentor for chefs at different stages
• Is organised, calm and positive under pressure, especially during busy services
• Understands food costs, ordering, stock control, GP and kitchen profitability
• Enjoys working collaboratively with front of house, suppliers and the wider management team
• Wants to be part of a community-owned pub and contribute to its wider success

The food:

The menu will celebrate Shropshire and the surrounding countryside, using local farmers, growers, producers and suppliers wherever possible. The aim is beautifully cooked, honest and generous country-pub food, alongside more creative dishes that allow the kitchen team to show its skill.

What we can offer:

A senior kitchen role with creative input, the chance to recruit and build your own team, support from the wider management team, access to fantastic local and seasonal producers, and a genuine opportunity to help shape the future direction of a community-owned Shropshire pub.