Head Chef

Knot & Plough (92492); Stafford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local pub company is seeking a Head Chef to lead its kitchen team in Stafford. You will be responsible for setting high standards, ensuring food quality, and motivating your team to deliver exceptional dining experiences. The ideal candidate will have experience as a Kitchen Manager or be ready to move up from a Sous Chef position. This role offers a performance-related bonus, discounts at various locations, and flexible working hours to suit personal needs.

Benefits

Performance related bonus

30% off at pubs and restaurants

Reliable hours contract

Flexible and part-time hours

High street and online discounts

Career development program

Mental and emotional well-being support

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar Kitchen Manager/ Head Chef role or ready to step up from Sous/ Second Chef.
• Ability to achieve high food quality and service speed.
• Capable of maintaining food and hygiene standards consistently.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the kitchen team.
• Ensure food and hygiene standards are met.
• Achieve highest standards of food quality and service.
• Communicate effectively with kitchen and pub team.

Skills

Leadership

Positive attitude

Food safety standards

Hygiene standards

Communication

Job description

We’re on the lookout for a Head Chef to lead our kitchen team!

Lead a team to success in our kitchen.

You’ll be responsible for raising the bar and setting the standards across your kitchen. Playing a key part in the pub management team, you’ll strive to create memorable experiences that leave our guests wanting to come back for more.

Our kitchen is where it’s at:

As well as having a passion for food, you’ll jump at the opportunity to grow, develop and retain a motivated kitchen team in one of our pubs across the country.

As a Head Chef:

You’ll have experience in a similar Kitchen Manager/ Head Chef role or be ready to step up from a Sous/ Second Chef position.

• Ensure all food and hygiene standards are consistently met
• Have a positive attitude and the ability to create a buzz in your kitchen
• Achieve the highest standards, ensuring the business is safe and that food quality and speed of service targets are met
• Maintain clear communication with your kitchen and wider pub team
• Take pride in the meals that you and your team produce

What comes next is up to you:

Whether you’d like to progress your skills further in the Head Chef role or explore wider opportunities across our pub, hotels and pub support centre we have a range of career pathways to suit all.

What you get from us:

You’ll be joining an award‑winning local pub company that puts people first, lives by people‑led values, and offers real opportunities to advance your career – with genuine benefits that include:

• A performance related bonus
• 30% off at all our pubs, restaurants, and hotels
• A reliable hours contract, to give you the security you deserve
• Flexible and part time hours available to work around your family or higher education
• Exciting range of high street, online discounts and cashback offers
• Scope to build your career and progress through our Chef Development Programme including access to our innovative app‑based training
• Access to Licensed Trade Charity for financial, mental, and emotional well‑being support

Come as you are. Personality counts for more than anything else here. We’ll accept you and celebrate you for being you. We can’t wait to see what we can make happen together. Marston’s could be the making of you.

Marston’s. Where people make pubs.