Head Chef

Côte Brasserie; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals on shift

Staff discounts

Performance-based bonus

Job summary

Côte Brasserie in Canterbury is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead our French brasserie kitchen, delivering high-quality seasonal dishes and maintaining authentic cooking techniques.

You will manage operations, mentor the BOH team, control food costs, and uphold food safety, hygiene, and brand standards in a busy, welcoming setting.

This is a key leadership role offering a permanent contract, with a 48-hour week and a performance-based bonus scheme, plus meals on shift and staff discounts.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen and delivering high-quality French-inspired dishes.
• Strong cost-control, inventory, and menu planning skills.
• Proven ability to train and motivate a BOH team while maintaining consistency.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency
• Execute season menus and regularly changing specials
• Train, mentor, and motivate the BOH team to maintain high culinary standards
• Manage food costs and inventory control
• Maintain hygiene, food safety, and kitchen organisation standards
• Develop communication and relationships with the FOH teams

Skills

Leadership

Cost control

Menu planning

Staff development

Education

Formal culinary qualification

Job description

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen of our vibrant French Brasserie. Our restaurant celebrates the warmth and authenticity of classic French dining, combining traditional techniques with high-quality seasonal ingredients in a relaxed, bustling brasserie atmosphere.

We are entering an exciting period of evolution for the business, with a renewed focus on quality, consistency, and long-term growth. This role offers the opportunity to join us at a pivotal moment and play a key part in shaping the next chapter of the restaurant.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented chef to take ownership of the kitchen, inspire a dedicated team, and deliver exceptional food that reflects the heart of French cuisine.

What you’ll do

• Lead and manage all kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency
• Execute season menus and regularly changing specials
• Train, mentor, and motivate the BOH team to maintain high culinary standards
• Manage food costs and inventory control
• Maintain excellent hygiene, food safety, and kitchen organisation standards
• Develop excellent communication and relationships with the FOH teams

Who you’ll be

• Proven leadership experience as a Head Chef, with a passion for developing and motivating a team
• Excellent organisational and cost-control skills
• A genuine interest in our food and its provenance

What we offer

• A permanent contract, with guaranteed 48 hours a week
• Competitive salary with a performance-based bonus scheme
• Meals on shift with further employee discounts for friends and family
• Structured kitchen team