HEAD CHEF

Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd; Cairndow; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading seafood restaurant on the west coast of Scotland seeks a Head Chef to manage kitchen operations. Responsibilities include overseeing food preparation and service, staff management, and ensuring food safety standards. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership and culinary skills, particularly with fish and seafood. The position offers a full-time contract with competitive pay and various employee benefits, including holidays and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

28 days holiday

Employee App with perks

Company Pension Scheme

Life Assurance Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Staff discounts

Free on-site parking

Comprehensive training

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Excellent culinary skills with experience in seafood.
• Strong organizational skills for multitasking.
• Great communication skills for teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen team management and food preparation.
• Ensure adherence to food safety standards.
• Manage kitchen operations including inventory and staff rotas.
• Monitor food quality and presentation.

Skills

Leadership skills

Culinary skills

Knowledge of food safety regulations

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Job description

LOCH FYNE OYSTERS LTD is located in stunning surroundings on the west coast of Scotland at CLACHAN, CAIRNDOW. Our award‑winning LOCH FYNE OYSTER BAR has built a reputation as one of Scotland's very best seafood restaurants, featuring the highest quality seafood indigenous to Argyll.

Contract Details

• POSITION: HEAD CHEF
• RATE OF PAY: Competitive and negotiable
• ADDITIONAL: Customer tips are shared between the Restaurant Team
• CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent
• CONTRACT HOURS: Full time hours (40 hours)
• SHIFT TYPE: No late evenings, No night shifts, No split shifts
• WORK SHIFTS: Between Monday to Sunday
• OTHER INFO: Due to our location and the work shifts, your own transport would be beneficial. Car share / transport may be available.

What We Offer

• 28 days holiday per annum (pro‑rata); increasing with length of service.
• Access to our Employee App, packed with perks including retail discounts, private medical advice & GP consultations, emotional support, and legal or financial guidance.
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Death In Service (Life Assurance) Scheme.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Share of customer tips.
• Staff discounts.
• Staff uniform.
• Free on site parking.
• Comprehensive training.
• Staff development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee the day to day management of our OYSTER BAR KITCHEN TEAM, ensuring the highest quality of food preparation and service. Manage all kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking and presentation; supervise, mentor and train the Kitchen Team, ensuring they adhere to food safety and hygiene standards; oversee inventory management, including stock ordering and rotation, manage cost control measures to optimise profitability; plan staff rotas to ensure efficient staffing levels, plus monitor food quality and presentation to ensure consistency and standards.

Qualifications

Proven leadership skills, with experience supervising and motivating a diverse team in a fast‑paced kitchen environment. Excellent culinary skills with a passion for creating new dishes, experience working with fish and seafood. Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices. Strong organisational skills with the ability to multitask effectively. Great communications skills to support teamwork between the Kitchen and Front of House staff.

Deadline for Applications

12TH OCTOBER 2025.

Right to Work

Before applying for this job, you must have the right to work and live legally in the UK.

How to Apply

Submit your CV online or contact our HR Team for an Application Form - Tel: [phone]. Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, Clachan, Cairndow, Argyll, PA26 8BL.

Job Location

Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, Clachan, Cairndow - the head of Loch Fyne, west coast of Scotland. Just a 45 minute drive / 1 hour bus journey from Dunoon, 50 minute drive from Helensburgh, 1 hour from Dumbarton, 1.5 hours from Glasgow (M8, A82, A83).