Head Chef

The Boxford; Newbury; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary meals

28 days holiday

Life Assurance

Refer-a-friend scheme

Perkbox discounts

Career progression

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

The Boxford is a vibrant Mediterranean restaurant near Newbury, seeking a Head Chef to lead a high-performing kitchen team, crafting seasonal menus and delivering Rosette-level standards. You will drive culinary innovation, operational excellence, and a collaborative culture supporting growth and development.

With a 45-hour week and a £40,000pa salary plus tronc, you’ll shape the culinary direction, mentor staff, and maintain exceptional quality across ~65 covers (up to 90 at peak) in a

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a busy kitchen.
• Strong mentoring and performance management skills.
• Qualified chef with relevant education and professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Inspire, lead and motivate the kitchen team to deliver exceptional service.
• Oversee food preparation, plating and Rosette-level standards.
• Lead menu development with seasonal, modern Italian flavours.
• Manage food budgets, GP targets and stock control.
• Ensure kitchen compliance with hygiene and safety policies.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Menu development

Cost control

Food safety & hygiene

Communication

Education

Leaving Cert level education or above

NVQ qualification or equivalent

Job description

The Boxford, nestled 10 minutes from Newbury, is built on a site that was formerly occupied by ‘The Bell Inn’, a rural roadside inn that captured passing trade on the road to Newbury. What was then a Victorian public house and 1980s annex was then turned into a modern and welcoming new restaurant in 2023. An all-day family-friendly dining and drinks destination that specialises in fresh Mediterranean cuisine and artisanal sourdough pizzas in the scenic Berkshire countryside

The Boxford is a vibrant, ambitious Mediterranean restaurant where seasonal creativity, precision, and excellence are at the hearts of our culinary identity. As Head Chef, you will lead and inspire a high-performing kitchen team to deliver exceptional food, memorable experiences, and operational excellence.

This role requires strong leadership, technical expertise, an obsession with detail, and the ability to maintain calm, focus, and professionalism within a dynamic kitchen environment.

You will shape the culinary direction of The Boxford - driving innovation, developing menus that celebrate flavour, and ensuring consistent delivery of outstanding dishes. You will also cultivate a warm, respectful, and collaborative team culture that supports growth, learning, and long-term development.

Salary Package: £40,000pa plus generous tronc

Hours: 45 hour contract

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Inspire, lead and motivate the kitchen team to achieve business goals and exceptional service standards
• Mentor, coach, and train team members through regular 1:1s, PDPs, and performance management
• Manage recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and succession planning
• Create a culture of excellence, learning, and mutual respect; uphold grooming, professionalism, and hygiene standards
• Ensure high morale and team engagement through positive daily leadership

Kitchen Operations & Standards

• Manage day-to-day kitchen operations to ensure smooth, efficient service for approximately 65 covers (up to 90 in peak service)
• Oversee food preparation, plating, and consistency to a high Rosette-level standard
• Maintain impeccable mise en place, production, cleanliness, and adherence to hygiene and food safety protocols
• Ensure the kitchen remains clean, efficient, and compliant with all H&S legislation (COSHH, Food Safety, Legal Regulations, Environmental Policies)
• Operate and maintain all kitchen equipment to ensure safe and effective 24/7 operation

Menu Development & Culinary Creativity

• Lead on menu development, bringing seasonal, innovative, modern Italian flavours to life
• Drive innovation and continuously improve culinary standards, techniques, and processes
• Guide team members to cook and present dishes of exceptional quality, ensuring consistent guest satisfaction

Stock, Budget & Profitability

• Manage all food budgets, recipe costing, GP targets, and overall kitchen profitability
• Plan and manage ordering in line with anticipated business levels
• Oversee stock rotation, storage, food utilisation, portion control, and waste minimisation

Administration & Compliance

• Complete and oversee all kitchen administration tasks including due diligence logs, compliance documentation, and daily checklists
• Monitor adherence to all kitchen policies and procedures and implement improvements where required
• Attend and conduct departmental meetings to ensure smooth operational communication across the business
• Manage rotas, shift coverage, and resource planning across restaurant, and events operations
• Anticipate guest needs and manage challenging service situations with professionalism and calm authority

Qualifications

• Proven experience as aSous Chef, Senior Sous Chef or Head Chef.
• Proficiency in diverse cooking techniques and cuisines
• Leaving Cert level education or above
• NVQ qualification or equivalent
• Ability to display a real passion for food and customer service
• Flair and innovative with menus and food presentation
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Exceptional attention to detail

Additional Information

WSH Restaurants has built a family-feel culture where we offer development and progression for all. In addition to that, we also offer a range of benefits including:

• Complimentary meals during shifts
• 28 days holiday, increasing with length of service
• Life Assurance
• Recommend-a-friend scheme with significant referral bonuses
• Access to Perkbox, offering discounts across gyms, travel, shopping, gadgets and more
• Reward programmes, long service awards, staff recognition, and performance incentives
• Opportunity to develop and further your career within a fast growing an exciting company
• Employee Assistance Programme & wellbeing hub
• Cycle to Work Scheme