Head Chef

Young's - Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Young's Cambridge is seeking a Head Chef for our Cambridge pubs. You will craft menus from scratch, lead a team, cost recipes and manage kitchen operations, while championing fresh, seasonal produce and a local sourcing philosophy.

This role offers full autonomy to design daily specials, develop staff, and drive GP while maintaining high standards. Join a supportive, passionate kitchen culture with opportunities for development and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or Sous Chef leading a kitchen team.
• Strong ability to design seasonal menus with fresh produce.
• Proven skills in costing, GP controls and menu development.
• Excellent communication and team leadership capabilities.
• Hands-on leadership with rota planning and safety oversight.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and lead the kitchen team to deliver high‑quality dishes.
• Cost and produce fresh seasonal menus for multiple revenue streams.
• Own rota planning, training and health & safety compliance.
• Develop new dishes and daily specials to drive sales.
• Collaborate with front‑of‑house to ensure great service.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu planning

Cost control

Staff scheduling

Health and safety

Communication

Job description

Head Chef - Up to 48K OTE (45K plus tronc)

About us:

We're looking for a Head Chef for our Cambridge pubs. Each pub has its own unique food vision and each menu is written in house from scratch. In Cambridge we have everything venues that specialise in Pizza and Burgers, to elevated pub classics - one thing does remain the same though - and thats that we use fresh, seasonal ingredients on menus that are dictated by what is fresh, local and available at that specific time of year. Find out more below.

Being a Head Chef at Young's:

We believe every pub should be different. This means that you'll be writing your own recipes that match the food vision of your business using fresh seasonal ingredients. The food vision could be all about showcasing local produce, country pub classics, seafood, small plates and sharers, dry-aged meat - each pub is different and its up to you as head chef to put your own creative stamp on that vision. We work with fresh, seasonal produce, so the menu should constantly evolve to showcase these fantastic ingredients when they are at their best. Premium fresh food crafted by skilled chefs in Premium Pubs .

What we offer our Head Chefs:

• Head Chefs get to have full autonomy to create your own menus and specials
• Access to our Apprenticeship Scheme and Development Programmes
• Access to regular culinary masterclasses covering topics such as Game, Butchery and Shellfish
• Access to inspirational food trips with our top quality suppliers
• Regular Chef Forums with other Head Chefs to inspire and develop
• Free meals
• 20% discount in all Young's Pubs and 30% discount on overnight stays in our Pubs with Rooms
• Share save Scheme
• Enhanced Company Pension Scheme
• 28 Days Holiday per year

What we look for in a Head Chef:

This role requires someone that can inspire a team, to bring out the potential and lead by example whilst being able to develop, cost and produce fresh seasonal menus for the variety of revenue streams within the business.

• Have experience championing excellent service through quality food either as a Head Chef or in the position of Sous Chef
• Demonstrate a passion for leading and developing a team
• Be an active hands‑on team player with excellent communication skills
• Be responsible and able to manage the kitchen staff rota, training and all health and safety effectively at all times
• Be able to demonstrate your creativity and ability to design and deliver new dishes for our menus and daily specials
• Demonstrate great planning and organisational skills, necessary to maintain effective controls with regard to both GP and labour
• Have a pro‑active approach to driving sales and delivering growth, through engagement with both kitchen and front of house teams