Head Chef

C2 Recruitment; Frilford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Colleague discounts

Life insurance

Company pension scheme

Free parking

Job summary

Head Chef position in Frilford, Oxfordshire, with a well-established, award-winning retail business. Lead the kitchen, craft menus from fresh, seasonal ingredients and drive a motivated team in a busy, customer-focused setting.

Salary is £32,000-£35,000 depending on experience. Full-time, permanent role with a two-week rota: four days one week and six days the next, including alternate weekends. Benefits include life insurance, pension, and free parking.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or in a senior kitchen management role.
• Passion for fresh food and seasonal menu development.
• High standards of food preparation, quality and presentation.
• Ability to lead a kitchen team in a busy environment.
• Hands-on approach and pride in delivering excellent food.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to maintain a smooth-running kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Preparing a range of dishes from scratch using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.
• Contributing to and delivering an exciting, seasonally changing menu.
• Maintaining excellent standards of food quality, presentation and consistency.
• Leading by example in a hands-on kitchen environment.
• Working closely with the Restaurant Manager to ensure the smooth running of the restaurant.
• Supporting, motivating and developing chefs and Kitchen Assistants.
• Setting clear expectations for food quality, kitchen standards and teamwork.
• Delivering freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches and hot snacks throughout the day.

Skills

Leadership

Fresh food

Menu development

Team motivation

Job description

Head Chef

Location: Frilford, Oxfordshire

Salary: £32,000-£35,000 per annum, depending on experience

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Are you a passionate Head Chef who loves working with fresh ingredients, creating seasonal menus and leading a kitchen team?

We're recruiting for an experienced Head Chef to join the restaurant of a well-established, award-winning retail business. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a busy kitchen, delivering freshly prepared food to a high standard in a welcoming, customer-focused environment.

With a focus on quality ingredients, seasonal menus and freshly cooked dishes, this role would suit a hands-on chef who takes pride in their food and enjoys developing a strong, motivated team.

The Role

As Head Chef, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing a range of dishes from scratch using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.
• Contributing to and delivering an exciting, seasonally changing menu.
• Maintaining excellent standards of food quality, presentation and consistency.
• Leading by example in a hands‑on kitchen environment.
• Working closely with the Restaurant Manager to ensure the smooth running of the restaurant.
• Supporting, motivating and developing chefs and Kitchen Assistants.
• Setting clear expectations for food quality, kitchen standards and teamwork.
• Delivering freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches and hot snacks throughout the day.

About You

We're looking for a Head Chef who combines strong culinary skills with the leadership ability to bring out the best in their team.

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or in a senior kitchen management role.
• A passion for fresh food and seasonal menu development.
• High standards of food preparation, quality and presentation.
• The ability to lead a kitchen team in a busy environment.
• A hands‑on approach and a genuine pride in delivering excellent food.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to maintain a smooth‑running kitchen.

What's on Offer?

• Salary of £32,000-£35,000, depending on experience.
• Full‑time, permanent employment.
• Average of 39.5 hours per week.
• A two‑week rota, working four days one week and six days the next, including alternate weekends.
• No split shifts or unsociable hours.
• Colleague discounts.
• Life insurance.
• Company pension scheme.
• Free parking.
• The opportunity to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients in a quality‑focused restaurant.

Location

The role is based in Frilford Oxfordshire, so applicants should live within a reasonable commuting distance.