Head Chef

Cotswold Inns and Hotels Ltd.; Stroud; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted hotel stays

25% food & beverage discounts

Wagestream access

Healthcare cash plan

Induction and training

Career development

Discounted gym, cinema tickets

Job summary

The Bear on Rodborough Common, part of Cotswold Inns & Hotels, is seeking a Head Chef to lead our kitchen team across restaurant dining and large‑scale events.

You will develop seasonal menus, manage daily kitchen operations, and ensure outstanding food quality and safety in a vibrant countryside setting.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership to inspire and develop a high-performing kitchen team.
• Ability to create innovative, seasonal menus reflecting our countryside setting.
• Proven knowledge of high standards of food safety and hygiene.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing kitchen brigade.
• Deliver exceptional food quality across restaurant, weddings, and events.
• Create innovative, seasonal menus that reflect the setting and clientele.
• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including ordering, stock control, and GP management.
• Ensure consistently high standards of food safety and hygiene.
• Work closely with front-of-house and events teams to deliver seamless guest experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety

Communication

Seasonal menus

Operations management

Job description

Join Fuller’s: Where the true you thrives anddiversity is embraced. At Fuller’s we don't just offer jobs, we invite you tocelebrate your authentic self. Our four core values – doing things the rightway, being part of the family, celebrating individuality and always asking what’snext? – define the essence of who we are.

The Bear on Rodborough Common is nestled amongst the rambling hills of beautiful National Trust land. Popular with ramblers, dog walkers and golfers, expect a busy bar and accommodation with 46 rooms on site.

The Bear of Rodborough Hotel

Set within 600 acres of National Trust land on the stunning Rodborough Common, The Bear of Rodborough is a unique and characterful hotel offering breath taking views and a vibrant hospitality environment.

The property features 44 bedrooms, a 55-seat Library Restaurant with panoramic views across the common, and a beautiful walled garden that accommodates up to 250 guests, complete with an outdoor bar and wood-fired pizza ovens.

We are a busy, events-driven business, hosting approximately 40 weddings per year alongside regular conferences and private functions for up to 60 guests.

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and drive the culinary offering across all areas of the business. This is a hands‑on role in a dynamic setting, combining restaurant dining, large‑scale events, and seasonal outdoor service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high‑performing kitchen brigade
• Deliver exceptional food quality across restaurant, weddings, and events
• Create innovative, seasonal menus that reflect the setting and clientele
• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including ordering, stock control, and GP management
• Ensure consistently high standards of food safety and hygiene
• Work closely with the front‑of‑house and events teams to deliver seamless guest experiences

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work in a truly unique countryside location
• A diverse and exciting food operation, from à la carte dining to high‑volume weddings
• Creative input and autonomy over menu development
• A supportive and collaborative management team

What wecan offer you:

• Anexciting variety of career paths: Explore a wide range of roles and careerpaths across our pubs and hotels.
• Supportiveenvironment: We put people first and strive for a collaborative and trustingatmosphere where everyone is valued.
• Continuousgrowth: Engage in learning and development programs to fuel your personal andprofessional growth.
• 25%discount on food and drink, across all our pubs and hotels for you and yourfriends and family. Increasing to 30% after one year, 35% after three years and40% after five years.
• A fairshare of tips, paid on top of your pay
• Discountedhotel stays at hotels in the Fuller’s Family
• Accessto ‘My Fuller’s’ – our online benefits platform where you can make savings at100s of retailers and access discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets andmuch more.
• HealthcareCash Plan – after one year with us you will have access to a 24‑hour GP serviceand the ability to claim your money back for dentist and eyecare appointments.
• Fullinduction and training
• Theoption 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 welook for in a Head Chef:

• Someonewho will take pride in preparing fresh food made from seasonal, localingredients.
• Youshould have great leadership skills.
• You’llthrive on the fast pace of the kitchen.
• You’llset yourself and others the very highest standards.
• Takefull control of the food side of the business.
• Agreat communicator who can keep calm under pressure.
• Acreative Head Chef who can bring new ideas and implement new cooking techniques.
• Takepride in every successful service.
• Ahygiene qualification, excellent food knowledge and food safety awareness areall essential for this role.Cotswold Inns & Hotels is family and a place where everyone belongs
  • Do things the right way
  • Being part of a family
  • Celebrating individuality
  • Always asking what’s next?

  The Bear on Rodborough Common is nestled amongst the rambling hills of beautiful National Trust land. Popular with ramblers, dog walkers and golfers, expect a busy bar and accommodation with 46 rooms on site.Cotswold Inns & Hotels is family and a place where everyone belongs

  • Do things the right way
  • Being part of a family
  • Celebrating individuality
  • Always asking what’s next?