Head Chef

Rockfish Budleigh; West Down; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Food discounts

Online seafood market discount

Staff rewards

Job summary

Rockfish Budleigh Head Chef role in a coastal town offers leadership of a kitchen team, ensuring high standards, stock control, and exceptional dining experiences. You’ll work with front of house and mentor a growing team to deliver excellence.

We provide structured training, clear progression paths, and a strong benefits package including holiday, pension, and staff discounts across Rockfish sites.

Qualifications

• Oversee a kitchen brigade of chefs and manage stock to minimise waste.
• Coach and inspire team to deliver high standards of service.
• Support training and career progression within Rockfish.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team of chefs to ensure food is prepared to a high standard.
• Build strong relationships with front of house to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
• Control stock and labour in line with budgets to meet financial KPIs.

Job description

Rockfish Budleigh Head Chef

Are you wanting to be part of a team that are proud to be recognised as one of the best places to work in hospitality in the UK?

Driven by a deep passion for people, sustainability, and unforgettable dining experiences, our group of 12 award-winning coastal restaurants, wholesale and online seafood fishmonger, is led by seafood expert Mitch Tonks. We’re proud to be MSC certified with daily landings from Brixham market delivered to our restaurants every day!

You’ll be working in one of the UK’s most beautiful coastal towns, with stunning views, working with a team that care about the ocean, sustainability, quality and genuine hospitality. Our crew rock, there’s no two ways about it. We work hard, take pride in what we do, and bring genuine warmth to everything we do. At Rockfish, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and inspired.

Whether you’re just starting out or already on the path, Rockfish is a place to build a lasting career in hospitality. We don’t just talk about progression — we plan for it, support it, and celebrate it. Many of our leaders started on the restaurant floor or in the kitchen. With clear training, hands‑on learning, and support from people who’ve been there, you can go further here — wherever you begin.

What's in it for you?

• 50% off food for you and your friends and family at Rockfish and The Seahorse.
• 10% off our Online Seafood Market – bring the seafood home with you (not the work!)
• Win prizes like Rockfish merch, wine trips, brewery collabs and more.
• Earn generous cash rewards for every successful referral you bring on board.

How we support you?

• Free, dedicated support from our helpline, confidential counselling and advice via Hospitality Action from day one
• Access to our own Rockfish paddle boards — perfect for your lunch break or after work down time!
• Crew meals on a full day
• We actively support good mental health, inside and outside of work with our senior managers trained as mental health first aiders.
• Financial support when you need it! Financial and debt advice via Hospitality action. Advance on wages and borrow up to one month’s pay after 2 years’ service, for life’s surprises

What to expect?

This package is £35.5kper annum basic plus approximately £3.5k tronc per annum +tips and overtime!

• We pay salaries monthly but tronc and tips on a weekly basis via our external troncmaster Tipjar, - so you can earn and access your cash quicker!
• This is a casual role working is across 5 days, Monday - Sunday availability required.
• We're are lunch and dinner dining restaurant meaning our teams work a variety of daytime and evening shifts determined by the rota.
• Christmas off, our sites are closed Christmas eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day
• We'll provide the Chef whites!
• We're not about extra hours, but if they're ever needed, overtime is paid.
• Enjoy your birthday off every year!
• Enjoy 28 days paid holiday (Pro-rata) based on your working hours.
• 4-week paid sabbatical after 10 years!
• Working daily with a team who thrive on our shared values of care, community, and connection makes every challenge an opportunity and every success a collective celebration.
• Want to progress your career? – we actively promote from with within! With opportunities across all locations
• An auto enrolment Pension to help you save for the future

As a Rockfish Head Chef, you’ll oversee a team of chefs, ensuring food is prepared to a high standard and building a strong relationship with our front of house teams to deliver exceptional levels of service to all our guests. You’ll manage stock effectively and responsibly to minimise wastage, and control labour in line with budgets to ensure financial KPIs are met. You’ll coach and inspire your team to fulfil their full potential, embracing our core values of Care, Community and Connection. As a new Head Chef joining Rockfish, you’ll be supported by structured training before you start in your restaurant, and we’ll continue to develop your skills for a fulfilling career with Rockfish. Budleigh Rockfish

If you want to be part of a team that cares about the ocean, takes seafood seriously, supports its people, and gives back to its community, you’re in the right place.

Find out more about what it’s like to work at Rockfish www.therockfish.co.uk