Head Chef

Brunning & Price; St Albans; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Staff discount

Nest pension

Life assurance

Wellbeing support

Job summary

The Prae Wood Arms in St Albans, part of Brunning & Price, is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen, develop menus, and drive quality and presentation across busy service.

You will manage stock, labour and GP while mentoring a talented culinary team to deliver exceptional, seasonal British dishes with a modern twist.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high-volume kitchens in premium fresh food environments.
• Proven track record in menu development and kitchen management.
• Strong business acumen to manage stock, GP and labour controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations with consistency in quality and presentation.
• Develop and maintain menus reflecting seasonal ingredients.
• Manage stock, GP, labour and team performance to hit targets.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

High-volume cooking

Job description

Head Chef Brunning & Price St Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

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's plenty 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 Tap saving you money on everyday purchases and more.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Electric vehicle scheme.
• £1,000 referral bonus for introducing new Managers or Chefs to 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.

Full-time