Head Chef

Gees Restaurant & Bar; Oxford; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meals on duty

50% discount on food

Up to £700 recruitment incentive

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension scheme

Uniform provided

Birthday day off

28 days holiday (incl. bank holidays)

Job summary

Gees on Banbury Road, Oxford, is seeking a Head Chef to lead a high-volume, all-day operation in a busy Victorian conservatory. You will manage a team of 15+ chefs, drive quality and consistency, and control costs while delivering seasonal menus.

The role offers an OTE of up to £70,000 per annum with a 45-hour week and a Monday–Sunday rota. Benefits include meals on duty, staff discounts, recruitment incentive and a comprehensive package within The Oxford Collection.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a professional kitchen.
• Experience managing 15+ chefs.
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety, Fire Safety and Food Hygiene legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example to create a culture of teamwork and excellence.
• Oversee ordering, stock control and food cost management.
• Manage rotas and payroll costs while maintaining high service standards.
• Maintain up-to-date Health & Safety compliance and training for the team.
• Develop seasonal menus and quality dishes with accurate costing.

Skills

Leadership

Team Management

Cost Control

Rota Management

Payroll Knowledge

Health & Safety

Job description

Situated in North Oxford, Gees is a bustling, independently owned restaurant, bar & terrace set within a landmark Victorian conservatory on Oxford’s Banbury Road. For over 40 years Gees has remained loyal to its traditions of providing quality food and service in the most beautiful restaurant in the city. Open every day of the year for brunch, lunch and dinner, Gees' kitchen produces a seasonal menu of ‘cross-town-for’ dishes using the best ingredients, simply prepared and expertly cooked.

Following an ambitious expansion and refurbishment in 2022, Gees more than doubled in capacity with the addition of Gees Gallery, an adjacent private dining space for up to 50 guests, and Secret Garden, a covered and heated private terrace for up to 60 diners. A brand-new top-of-the-rangekitchen now caters for over 200 guests throughout its dining spaces.

This is an unmissable opportunity for an ambitious, competent and energetic Head Chef to successfully lead this high-volume, fast-paced, all-day operation.

Key Attributes & Expectations

A natural leader, you will lead by example and encourage a culture of respect and teamwork. You will influence, enthuse and develop a team of 15+ chefs to achieve consistency and excellence, supporting our small company ethos to nurture and cultivate our teams to progress within the business.

We expect to see proven competence by way of ordering, stock and food cost control, as well as rota management and managing payroll costs. You will be expected to hold and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current Health & Safety, Fire Safety and Food Hygiene legislation.

You will be fully equipped to create exciting, quality-led dishes using seasonal ingredients which are well-balanced, costed accurately and visually stunning. You will maintain attention to detail, integrity and quality of all menu items using recipe specifications and agreed presentation standards.

In return, we offer the successful applicant an OTE of up to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience, including non-contractual service charge (tronc). Working 45 hours per week (Monday to Sunday rota with two days off each week).

Gees is part of 'The Oxford Collection'; a small, privately owned group of two luxury 5* hotels and apartments, three restaurants that consists of the Old Bank Hotel, the Old Parsonage Hotel, 36 St Giles, Parsonage Grill, Gees Restaurant & Bar, and Quod Restaurant & Bar. Having recently undergone a complete refurbishment programme, we have 80 bedrooms across three iconic properties in central Oxford, with unrivalled views across the city’s beautiful skyline.

We offer support, training, and development opportunities to help your career flourish. We believe that investment in each and every one of our ‘collectives’ is key to the success of our business and the happiness of our customers. As a member of our team, we are looking for an exceptional candidate who shares these values.

Head Chef Benefits:

• Meals on duty
• 50% discount on food within our restaurants
• Up to £700 recruitment incentive
• Membership to our Employee Assistance Programme with Hospitality Action
• Pension scheme
• Opportunities to develop within our Company
• Uniform provided
• Complimentary ‘Manager’s meal’ within one of our restaurants every six months
• 28 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays per annum
• A paid day off on your birthday
• Team awards and prizes
• Hospitality Rewards: offering discounted gym membership, high-street and online shopping discounts, discounted vouchers, a cashback card, and 24/7 online GP service

Gees is part of 'The Oxford Collection'; a small, privately owned group of two luxury 5* hotels and apartments, three restaurants that consists of the Old Bank Hotel, the Old Parsonage Hotel, 36 St Giles, Parsonage Grill, Gees Restaurant & Bar, and Quod Restaurant & Bar. Having recently undergone a complete refurbishment programme, we have 80 bedrooms across three iconic properties in central Oxford, with unrivalled views across the city’s beautiful skyline.

Interviews will take place in Oxford and as part of the recruitment process. Eligibility to work within the UK must be proven and two references should be available on request.