Head Chef

Urban Pubs & Bars Ltd.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus

Brand new opening

Training and development

Career progression

30% discount across pubs

Team incentives and socials

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Referral scheme up to £1000

Birthdays off

Cycle to work

Job summary

Urban Pubs & Bars Ltd. is seeking an enthusiastic Head Chef for our Highbury Barn Tavern in London. You will lead a kitchen focused on gastro pub fare, using fresh ingredients and seasonal menus, while delivering exceptional hospitality.

The role involves managing stock, GP, and leading a high-volume kitchen to create standout dishes. You should have experience in professional kitchens, strong health and safety practices, and a proven track record of team leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience with fresh ingredients and seasonal menus.
• Solid understanding of Health and Safety in a professional kitchen.
• Proven track record of managing a kitchen and controlling stock and GP.
• Background of dealing with high volume cooking.
• Technical skill and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and leadership of kitchen teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and run the kitchen operations for the pub.
• Oversee stock management and GP control.
• Develop and implement seasonal menus with fresh produce.
• Ensure Health & Safety standards are always met.
• Coach and motivate kitchen staff to deliver quality dishes.

Skills

Leadership

Menu planning

Stock control

Health & Safety

High-volume cooking

Communication

Job description

We are on the hunt for some exceptional and creative talent.

Are you a Head Chef looking to take the next step in theircareer? We are looking for a Head Chef who has a great range of experienceworking at gastro pub food level.The Highbury Barn Tavern is a welcoming, independent community pub just a stone’s throw from Highbury Fields. We are dedicated to exceptional service, quality produce, and a true sense of hospitality, embracing the essence of a traditional British pub.

With charming period features, our pub is the perfect spot for a relaxed drink or meal with friends. Join us for a buzzing atmosphere on game day, when the Arsenal F.C. faithful gather before and after fixtures, or on Sundays for Islington’s best roast.”

Do you love working with only fresh ingredients and enjoyleading a kitchen to delivering great dishes enjoyed by all? Do you wish to addyour distinctive creative flare to our pub classics and new innovative dishes?

Welcome to London's biggest independent pub company !

Urban Pubs & Bars was founded in 2014 and has since expanded to an estate of over 67 pubs, bars and restaurants across London.

In 2018, Urban Pubs & Bars was ranked number 28 in the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list, recognising Britain's private companies with the fastest-growing sales. We were then nominated for 2 Publican Awards in 2020, winning the award for ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ on the night.

In 2021, Urban was awarded 'Best Food-led Pub Company 2021' at the R200 awards, Urban once again won ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ in 2023 and most recently won ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ and Best food offering in 2026 and In 2025 & 2026 we were recognised by Sunday Times in the Top 100 Companies to work for.

You Are:

• An enthusiastic, dynamic andqualified Head Chef who is ready for a new challenge.


• Able to demonstrate yourexperience of working with fresh ingredients and seasonal menus.


• Able to demonstrate experienceof working in a professional kitchen showing a clear understanding ofHealth and Safety.


• Able to show a proven trackrecord of managing the kitchen and controlling stock and GP.


• Someone with a background ofdealing with high volume.


• Able to show technical skilland attention to detail


• Able to spot and resolveproblems efficiently.


• Confident in your communicationskills and ability to lead and motivate their teams.

What's in it for me:

• Competitive salary + bonus


• Be part of a brand new opening


• Training and development


• Career progression and promotion opportunities with regular new openings around the corner


• Get out and about, you automatically get 30% discount across all our pubs, bars and restaurants


• Team trips, regular incentives and socials – a fun, family atmosphere


• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support you across those tough times


• Good people know good people - an awesome referral scheme where you canearn up to £1000per successful referral


• Birthdays are for celebrating, so have the day off on us


• Cycle to work scheme

Interested in hearing more?

Get in touch so we can schedule a show around, rub some shoulders together, have a laugh and make some magic!