Head Chef

The Vaults, Southsea; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25% discount on food and drink

Healthcare Cash Plan

Wagestream access

Induction and training

Hotel discounts

Job summary

The Vaults in Portsmouth is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and own the food operation. You’ll craft pub classics and stone-baked pizzas, manage a busy service, and work with the General Manager to continually elevate the offering.

We want a creative, energetic leader with seasonal menus, strong commercial awareness, and a calm under pressure. You’ll set high standards, train staff, and bring fresh ideas to the kitchen while ensuring consistency across every service.

Qualifications

• Lead kitchen team and own the food operation.
• Prepare fresh food from seasonal, local ingredients.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and food safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the kitchen team during all services.
• Develop and refresh the pub menu with seasonal dishes.
• Ensure consistent quality and timely service.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Calm under pressure

Creativity

Seasonal ingredients

Education

Hygiene qualification

Job description

Join the team at The Vaults and make your mark. We're looking for an ambitious, creative and hands on Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and take ownership of our food operation. The Vaults is a busy pub on Albert Road serving proper pub classics and stone-baked pizzas, with steady weekday trade, busy weekends and regular functions and events. Working closely with the General Manager, you'll have the opportunity to develop the food offering and make the kitchen your own. We're looking for someone with fresh ideas, energy and strong commercial awareness.

What we can offer you:

• An exciting variety of career paths: Explore a wide range of roles and career paths across our pubs and hotels.
• Supportive environment: We put people first and strive for a collaborative and trusting atmosphere where everyone is valued.
• Continuous growth: Engage in learning and development programs to fuel your personal and professional growth.
• 25% discount on food and drink, across all our pubs and hotels for you and your friends and family. Increasing to 30% after one year, 35% after three years and 40% after five years.
• A fair share of tips, paid on top of your pay
• Discounted hotel stays at hotels in the Fuller's Family
• Access to 'My Fuller's' - our online benefits platform where you can make savings at 100s of retailers and access discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets and much more.
• Healthcare Cash Plan - after one year with us you will have access to a 24-hour GP service and the ability to claim your money back for dentist and eyecare appointments.
• Full induction and training
• The option to receive up to 35% of your earnings as you earn them with Wagestream. This means you won't always need to wait until payday.

What we look for in a Head Chef:

• Someone who will take pride in preparing fresh food made from seasonal, local ingredients.
• You should have great leadership skills.
• You'll thrive on the fast pace of the kitchen.
• You'll set yourself and others the very highest standards.
• Take full control of the food side of the business.
• A great communicator who can keep calm under pressure.
• A creative Head Chef who can bring new ideas and implement new cooking techniques.
• Take pride in every successful service.
• A hygiene qualification, excellent food knowledge and food safety awareness are all essential for this role.