Head Chef

Kings Arms; Dacorum; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £43k

Performance bonus

Share of Tronc up to £5k

Flexible shifts

Food discount 33%

Hotel discount 33%

Guest/Family discount 20%

Development programme

Lifestyle Card

Long-service awards

Refer-a-friend £1k

Career progression

Job summary

The Kings Arms in Berkhamsted is seeking an experienced Head Chef/Kitchen Manager to lead our kitchen to the next level. You will oversee day-to-day operations, ensure high-volume efficiency and drive exceptional quality across all dishes.

We offer a competitive package with a salary up to £43,000 per year, a performance bonus, and a share of Tronc up to £5,000 annually, plus extensive staff discounts and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or Kitchen Manager in a high-volume setting.
• Strong culinary and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead and develop a kitchen team during busy services.
• Passion for quality meat and steak.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and menu execution.
• Protect and grow the venue's reputation for quality.
• Manage stock, food margins and waste.
• Train, coach and develop kitchen staff.
• Ensure food safety, allergen and dietary compliance.
• Collaborate with management to drive business success.

Skills

Culinary excellence

High-volume leadership

Team leadership

Mentoring/training

Food margins

Stock control

Organisational skills

Allergen knowledge

Communication

UK work right

Job description

Lead the kitchen at one of Berkhamsted's most exciting dining destinations

Following a highly successful rebrand, The Kings Arms is thriving - and we are looking for an exceptional Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager to take our kitchen to the next level.

Located in the heart of Berkhamsted, The Kings Arms is a busy, vibrant venue with a strong reputation for quality food and genuine hospitality. We are passionate about serving outstanding dishes, using quality ingredients and carefully sourced meat from farm to fork.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident, hands-on kitchen leader who lives and breathes great food, understands high-volume operations and knows how to inspire a team to deliver consistently outstanding results.

What’s in it for you?

• Salary of up to £43,000 per annum
• Performance-related bonus
• A share of Tronc worth up to £5,000 per year
• Flexible shift patterns
• Up to 33% off food when dining with us for you and up to six guests
• 33% off Upham Inns hotel accommodation
• 20% off hotel accommodation for friends and family
• A structured development programme with a clear career pathway
• Free Lifestyle Card providing access to more than 5,000 discounts
• Long-service awards
• Refer-a-friend and chef recruitment incentives of up to £1,000
• The opportunity to lead a prominent kitchen within a progressive and expanding pub company

What we’re looking for

You will be an experienced Head Chef/Kitchen Manager with the energy, resilience and ambition to lead from the front. You will be passionate about quality, commercially aware and committed to developing a kitchen team that takes pride in every plate.

You will have:

• At least one year’s experience as a Head Chef or Kitchen Manager or in a comparable kitchen leadership role
• Excellent culinary and presentation skills
• Experience of leading a busy, high-volume kitchen
• A genuine passion for food, particularly quality meat and steak
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
• The ability to lead calmly and inspire your team during busy services
• A proactive, hands-on approach to kitchen management
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• A strong understanding of food margins, stock control and waste management
• The ability to train, coach and develop chefs and Kitchen Porters
• A collaborative approach and a strong team mentality
• The right to work in the UK

Your responsibilities

As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the day-to-day kitchen operation, including:

• Leading the preparation and delivery of consistently high-quality food
• Protecting and enhancing The Kings Arms' reputation for quality
• Managing a fast-paced kitchen efficiently during high-volume services
• Leading, training, coaching and mentoring the kitchen team
• Creating effective rotas and cleaning schedules
• Managing ordering, stock control, food margins and waste
• Ensuring dishes are prepared quickly, accurately and to specification
• Maintaining an exceptionally clean, safe and organised kitchen
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, allergen and dietary requirements
• Working closely with the wider management team to drive the continued success of the business

Ready to take the lead?

The Kings Arms is already busy - and we are only getting busier.

This is a demanding but hugely rewarding opportunity for a high-calibre Kitchen Manager who thrives under pressure, leads by example and refuses to compromise on food quality or standards.

A five-star food hygiene mindset is essential. Clean, safe and legal comes before everything - every shift, every day.

If you have the experience, passion and determination to make your mark at The Kings Arms in Berkhamsted, we want to hear from you.