Head Chef

Metropolitan Pub Company; Greater London; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contribution

Apprenticeship training

Brand discounts

Employee assistance program

Maternity/paternity policies

Wage access

Retail discounts

Job summary

The Angel Oak in Peckham is seeking an ambitious Head Chef to own the kitchen, lead from the front and set the standards for a busy, high-volume operation.

You'll craft seasonal menus, manage food quality, cost, and team development, and work closely with the General Manager to deliver exceptional guest experiences at this vibrant Metropolitan Pub Company venue.

Qualifications

• Previous Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership experience.
• Strong background in fresh food and seasonal cooking.
• Experience leading and developing a kitchen team.
• Knowledge of kitchen P&L, GP, labour, stock, and wastage.

Responsibilities

• Lead from the front and set kitchen standards.
• Oversee menu delivery and quality through to service.
• Plan and manage busy services at volume.
• Develop and coach the kitchen team.
• Work with the General Manager to drive pub success.
• Ensure high standards of hygiene and safety.

Skills

Head Chef leadership

Seasonal cooking

Team leadership

People management

Decision making

Hands-on leadership

Job description

This is not your average pub kitchen. The Angel Oak sits on the corner of Peckham Rye Park and is a destination for food lovers across Peckham and East Dulwich. With a beautiful pub setting, a huge year-round beer garden and a busy food operation, this is a kitchen with plenty of opportunity for a Head Chef to make their mark. Our menu is all about great seasonal food, bringing together elevated pub classics, seasonal specials and Sunday roasts. During the summer, our outdoor kitchen comes to life with BBQ flavours, adding another exciting element to an already busy operation. We're looking for an ambitious, passionate Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen and lead the team in delivering exceptional food, every service.

Company Description

Join us at Metro Pubs, where our pubs are at the heart of city life, striving to provide a home away from home for both locals and visitors to the capital alike. All of our pubs are individual and unbranded, each embodying its own personality and character. We’re the place to laugh with friends, to spend quality time with family, and to enjoy all that is great about a community pub – the food, the drink, the service and the atmosphere.

Additional Information

We’re all about rewarding our team’s hard work, that’s why…

You’ll receive a competitive salary, pension contribution as well as:

• The chance to further your career across our well-known brands – as one of the industry's top apprenticeship providers, we can provide training and development at each level of your career.
• Discount of 33% for you and 15% for your loved ones on all of our brands – so you enjoy your favourite food and drink at a discount.
• Free employee assistance program – mental health, well-being, financial, and legal support because you matter!
• Enhanced, family-friendly maternity and paternity policies
• Menopause Friendly Employer
• Discount of 50% for you and 25% for your loved ones at our Greene King Inns and hotels – so you can enjoy a weekend away without breaking the bank.
• Refer a friend – who do you know who could be interested in a new role? When they are placed, you could earn up to £1,500 for referring them!
• Wagestream – access your wage before payday for when life happens.
• Retail discounts – Receive up to 30% off at Superdrug, exclusive discounts with Three Mobile along with many more…

CREATING PLACES WHERE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME, SAFE AND THAT THEY BELONG

We aim to embed inclusion into every decision we make – across our people, customers, communities, suppliers, and operations. We want to create a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to thrive.

What you’ll be doing

As Head Chef, you'll have real ownership of the kitchen. You'll lead from the front, set the standards and create an environment where your team can thrive while delivering consistently brilliant food to our guests.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Leading, inspiring and developing the kitchen team, creating a strong and positive kitchen culture.
• Taking ownership of the food operation, from menu delivery and quality through to kitchen standards and service.
• Working creatively with seasonal ingredients to deliver exciting, well-executed dishes.
• Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene and safety.
• Managing food GP, stock, ordering, wastage and labour costs to deliver a commercially successful kitchen.
• Planning and managing busy services, ensuring the kitchen is organised, efficient and able to deliver at volume.
• Developing your team through coaching, training and clear expectations.
• Working closely with the General Manager and wider leadership team to drive the overall success of the pub.

What We’re Looking For

We're looking for a Head Chef who is genuinely passionate about food and people.

You’ll Ideally Have

• Previous Head Chef or senior kitchen leadership experience within a busy, high-volume operation.
• A strong background in fresh food and a genuine passion for seasonal cooking.
• Experience leading and developing a kitchen team.
• A good understanding of kitchen P&L, GP, labour, stock and wastage.
• The confidence to take ownership and make decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• A hands-on leadership style and the ability to remain calm and organised during busy services.
• A desire to continually improve standards, develop your team and deliver an outstanding guest experience.

Why The Angel Oak?

You'll be joining a venue with real personality and plenty of scope to put your stamp on the food operation.

The Angel Oak combines a characterful pub atmosphere with a serious food offer. Alongside our main menu and Sunday roasts, our large garden and seasonal outdoor BBQ kitchen give the Head Chef another opportunity to get creative and bring something different to the guest experience.

Located at 31 Peckham Rye, the pub is perfectly positioned for the vibrant Peckham and East Dulwich community and attracts guests looking for great food, drinks and atmosphere.

Why Metropolitan Pub Company?

The Angel Oak is part of Metropolitan Pub Company, a collection of distinctive pubs, restaurants and hotels where individuality, great hospitality and quality food are at the heart of what they do.

As part of the wider group, you'll have access to development and progression opportunities while still having the freedom to make your own impact at your pub.

Ready to make your mark? If you're a Head Chef who loves fresh food, thrives in a high-volume kitchen and wants genuine ownership of your operation, this could be the opportunity for you. Come and lead the kitchen at The Angel Oak and make your mark on one of Peckham's favourite food-led pubs.