Head Chef

TN United Kingdom; Exmouth; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Join an award-winning team in a beautiful coastal location as a Head Chef, where your culinary passion meets sustainability. Lead a talented kitchen team, create exceptional seafood dishes, and ensure top-notch service. Enjoy a competitive salary with bonuses, generous holiday time, and a supportive work environment focused on your growth and well-being. This is your chance to make a meaningful impact in a vibrant community while enjoying the perks of coastal life. If you’re ready to take your culinary career to the next level, apply now and be part of our exciting journey!

Benefits

28 days holiday plus birthday off

Company pension scheme

50% off dining at Rockfish restaurants

Paid sabbatical after 10 years

Access to wellbeing services

Generous share of gratuities

Training in wine and food safety

Discounts & Rewards

Refer-a-friend bonus

Access to paddleboards

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of Head Chef experience in a restaurant.
• Strong knowledge of seafood and sustainable practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen operations and manage a team of chefs.
• Ensure high-quality food preparation and service.

Skills

Team Leadership

Culinary Skills

Stock Management

Food Safety Standards

Education

Culinary Degree

Food Safety Certification

Tools

Kitchen Equipment

Inventory Management Software

Job description

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This is an exciting time to join our award winning team, voted TOP 50 BEST COMPANIES to work for and TOP 10 HOSPITALITYCOMPANIES to work for!!!

If you love coastal life, are passionate about food and the ocean, would like to be part of an energetic team with a positive culture, who do the right thing running award winning restaurants - we look forward to hearing from you.

Our restaurants are set in the most beautiful coastal locations across Devon and Dorset, so our guests will feel connected to the incredible fresh seafood that we serve.

Our chefs get to work with the best sustainable seafood, MSC certified or caught and managed in the Southwest of England, direct from our Brixham fish market.

With a number of new restaurants due to open in 2025, this is a great time to become part of our Rockfish story.

The salary for this role is £39k per annum basic salary with a £2k bonus after 12 months service, up to £47k when including tronc, gratuities and overtime.

The role

As Head Chef you will oversee a team of chefs ensuring food is prepared to a high standard, building a strong relationship with our front of house teams to deliver exceptional levels of service to all our guests.

You will manage stock effectively and respectfully to minimise wastage and control labour in line with budgets to ensure financial KPIs are met.

You will coach and inspire your team to fulfil their full potential ensuring you and your team embrace our core values, ‘Care, Community and Connection’.

As a new Rockfish Head Chef, you will be supported by structured training before you start in your restaurant, and we continuously develop your skills for a fulfilling career with Rockfish.

You will be required to have at least one years’ experience at Head Chef level within a restaurant environment.

As a Head Chef you will:

Cook exceptional dishes using the freshest seafood.

Lead the service and mentor a talented kitchen team.

Ensure every plate meets our Rockfish standards.

Manage resources to minimise waste and control costs.

Collaborate with the front-of-house team to deliver unforgettable dining experiences.

What We Offer

Competitive salary + paid overtime (with a focus on work-life balance).

Generous share of gratuities and tips , distributed via Tip Jar.

Generous Refer-a-friend bonus.

Company pension scheme to support your future.

Time to Recharge

28 days holiday , plus your birthday off

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day off every year.

Winter working patterns with full pay .

4 week paid sabbatical after 10 years service

24/7 access to wellbeing services, including counselling, financial and legal advice.

Discounts & Rewards

50% off dining at all Rockfish restaurants.

Access to Rockfish paddleboards to use on your break time!

competitions and incentives.

Training in wine, health & safety, and food safety.

Clear paths for career progression—we’re always looking for our next Area Head Chef!

Why Rockfish?

This is your chance to work in one of the UK’s most beautiful coastal towns, with a team that values sustainability, quality, and growth . At Rockfish, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and inspired.

Ready to Make Waves?

Bring your passion and culinary expertise to Rockfish. Apply now!