Head Chef

Brunning and Price Pubs Ltd; St Albans; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit share

Pension

Life assurance

Free meals on shift

Staff discount

Job summary

The Prae Wood Arms in St Albans is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our culinary team, drive menu development, and uphold the highest standards of food quality and presentation in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen.

You will manage stock, GP and labour, mentor a passionate brigade, and contribute to the pub’s reputation for outstanding food, hospitality and seasonal dishes. Brunning and Price offers a supportive culture, competitive pay, and wellbeing and development benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high-volume kitchens in premium fresh food environments.
• Proven track record of delivering exceptional food and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent business acumen to manage stock, GP and labour controls.
• Ability to thrive under pressure in a dynamic kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations and menu development to deliver high-quality dishes.
• Oversee high-volume, premium fresh food service with strong standards.
• Coach and mentor the kitchen brigade to improve performance and consistency.
• Maintain food quality and presentation to Brunning and Price standards.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Kitchen management

High-volume cooking

Education

Head chef experience

Job description

Are you passionate with a commitment to providing a high-quality dining experience? The Prae Wood Arms in St. Albans is seeking an experienced and talented Head Chef to join our culinary team. As the Head Chef, you will play a pivotal role in menu development, kitchen management, and maintaining the highest standards of food quality and presentation. We are seeking an individual who shares our love for food, embraces creativity, and has exceptional culinary skills.

Set on the edge of the historic Prae Wood and just minutes from the centre of St. Albans, The Prae Wood Arms is a welcoming country pub with a reputation for outstanding food, quality drinks, and genuine hospitality. Our menus celebrate fresh, seasonal ingredients and classic British dishes with a modern twist, attracting a loyal local following alongside visitors exploring the area.

And there'splenty more in it for you:

Your Bread and Butter

• Package up to £60,000 including profit share and tronc

The Extras

• We know you work hard so we feed you well - free meals on shift, choose from the menu!
• 30% discount for you, your friends and family across B&P and our group including wagamama.
• It’s never too early to start saving for the future with a NEST pension.
• Protection for your family with life assurance.
• Great discounts via Perks on Tapsaving you money on everyday purchases and more.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Electric vehicle scheme.
• £1,000 referral bonus for introducingnew Managers or Chefsto the company.
• Stream - use flexible pay to choose when to get paid.

Your Wellbeing - it’s important to us!

• Free 24-hour confidential legal and information helpline for you and your family.
• Bespoke wellbeing support offering free counselling for all crew.
• Access to health checks and virtual GP appointments.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Plenty of social get togethers - it’s not all work and no play.
• Recognition platform with regular thankyous.

We want you to grow with us!

• Superb internal and external development programmes to support your progress.
• Advanced Leadership Skills course enhancing self-awareness and soft skills.
• Regular days out and events around fresh seasonal produce.
• We encourage movement between our pubs so you can have a long-term career with B&P.

About You...

Our kitchens are dynamic, fast paced, and high volume so you will have experience of being a head chef, chef manager, or kitchen manager in a busy, premium fresh food environment.

To succeed in this role, you'll have a proven track record of leading high-volume kitchens, with previous experience in businesses delivering annual sales in excess of £2 million, and the ability to thrive under pressure while consistently delivering exceptional food and developing high-performing teams. You’ll also need excellent business acumen to manage a well-run kitchen, keeping on top of your stock, GPs and labour controls.

About Brunning And Price...

• A family of 79 pubs and still growing!
• A company with heart, where individuality, personality and diversity are encouraged.
• A company committed to reducing our carbon footprint, working sustainably, and supporting our local communities.
• @brunningandpricecareers #bandplife

Are you ready to be part of a family where you can genuinely contribute to the food culture? Then make your next career move a Head Chef position with Brunning and Price.