Head Chef

Hickory's Smokehouse; Thornaby-on-Tees; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A popular restaurant group in the UK is seeking an experienced Head Chef to oversee the kitchen operations. Your role will include managing a passionate team, delivering high-quality BBQ cuisine, and ensuring exceptional service. The position offers a competitive salary package of up to £45,000 plus bonuses. Ideal candidates should have leadership skills and a deep passion for BBQ cooking.

Benefits

Generous salary package

Excellent training opportunities

Discount for team members

Free team meals on shift

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role is essential.
• Ability to lead a kitchen team efficiently.
• Strong passion for BBQ cuisine and food quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team to deliver high-quality BBQ meals.
• Manage kitchen operations and ensure food safety standards.
• Train and mentor team members for skill development.

Skills

Leadership

BBQ cooking skills

Team management

Food quality control

Job description

Head Chef

Hickory's Smokehouse
Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, TS17 9LN
£37,000.00 - £40,000.00 per year
Permanent
Full time

Start an exciting new chapter in your hospitality career at Hickory's Smokehouse - We are thrilled to have been recently crowned the 'Best Pub Employer' for 2025 at The Publican Awards!

Join us as a Head Chef and we can offer you a generous package of up to £45,000 per year including Tip Jar plus uncapped bonus!

We're looking for a Head Chef to lead our passionate brigade of BBQ enthusiasts, you will be responsible for running our bespoke kitchen, and delivering the very best food that our Smokehouse can offer. You will be working with and leading the team to deliver authentic fresh food-based BBQ menu in one of the busiest restaurants in town.

As the fastest growing, Southern style Smokehouse group in the UK with an award-winning Hickory's Training Academy, we can offer you amazing opportunities as we expand. And, we have a company culture that really cares & embraces work-life - balance.

We are really going places - and we want to take you with us.

Thank You's & Benefits:

• A generous Head Chef package of up to £45,000 per year including Tip Jar plus uncapped bonus!
• The chance to work in one of our £250k bespoke built kitchens, with authentic smokers imported all the way from USA
• Excellent training & progression opportunities - through our award-winning Hickory's Training Academy
• Birthday reward meal on us for you & your friends - every year
• Free smokin' BBQ on shift - team food & drinks menu
• Christmas Day off work - every year
• Moments that matter - paid occasion days off (Wedding day, kid's first day at school, moving into first home & more)
• Team Player card - 25% discount for you & 5 friends in all Hickory's (rising to 50% for loyal service)
• Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
• Wellbeing support & 24-hour access to our wellness programme, plus a Wellbeing Champion in each restaurant to support you
• Our pledge to a work-life balance - monitoring & managing through our Red Zone
• A chance to 'give a bit back' with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
• Up to £1000 for you - through the refer a friend scheme

If that sounds good or does it leave you wanting to find out more? Click 'apply' now and you could be our next Head Chef.