Head Chef

Only Chefs Ltd; Wootton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and tips

Job summary

Only Chefs Ltd, a charming independent country pub in the heart of the community, seeks a talented Head Chef to lead our kitchen and rebuild the team. You will craft seasonal, locally sourced menus and elevate the dining experience, while preserving the warm, rustic pub charm.

You’ll develop a lunch offering, manage menu GP, and deliver a standout Sunday Roast, mentoring a small kitchen team and collaborating closely with front-of-house to create exceptional guest journeys.

Qualifications

• Proven Head/Sous Chef in a fresh food kitchen.
• Passion for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and creative menu development.
• Strong leadership to mentor a small kitchen team.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene and health & safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and design seasonal menus, showcasing fresh and local produce.
• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, ensuring food quality, presentation, and consistency.
• Work closely with local suppliers to source the best ingredients.
• Lead, train and inspire a very small kitchen team.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene, ensuring compliance with health & safety regulations.
• Manage stock control, ordering and costings to ensure profitability without compromising quality.
• Collaborate with owners and front-of-house to create a great dining experience.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Team leadership

Menu development

Food safety

Adaptable

Job description

We are a charming, independent country pub known for its warm hospitality, relaxed atmosphere, and great food. As a small, close-knit team, we’re passionate about providing an excellent dining experience and are now looking for a talented and creative Head Chef to lead our kitchen. We are also now in a position to rebuild the entire kitchen team, so there is also the opportunity for a CDP to join, which you will of course be involved in with regards to the recruitment process. This could also be someone you trust and wish to bring along with you considering they pass our interview process too. With a focus on seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients and hearty, comforting dishes, this is a great opportunity for either an established chef who takes pride in their work and truly cares about the food they create, or an up and coming maestro who is coming from a support role in a high-level dining establishment and feels ready to make their mark on the world. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about cooking - bringing fresh ideas to the menu while respecting the warm, rustic charm our pub is known for. We are specifically looking for someone who can develop a lunch offering, optimise menu GP and offer an incredible Sunday Roast to put us at the forefront of the local area for both quality and value. We love a free-thinker. Someone who can turn something ordinary into something special, or go wild with themed nights and really push the boat out with amazing culinary experiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and design seasonal menus, showcasing fresh and local produce
• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, ensuring food quality, presentation, and consistency
• Work closely with local suppliers to source the best ingredients
• Lead, train, and inspire a very small kitchen team
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene, ensuring full compliance with health and safety regulations
• Manage stock control, ordering, and costings to ensure profitability without compromising quality
• Work collaboratively with the pub’s owners and front-of-house team to create a great dining experience

About you

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in a fresh food kitchen
• Passion for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and creative menu development
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and motivate a small team
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure while maintaining high standards
• A hands‑on, adaptable, and positive approach to work

What we offer

• Creative freedom to design your own menus
• Support from a passionate, independent team
• Opportunity to build a strong reputation in a growing venue
• A friendly and relaxed working environment
• Regular pay review based on results
• Competitive salary and benefits, including healthy share of tips.

If you are a passionate and talented chef looking for an exciting opportunity to make your mark in a well‑loved country pub, we’d love to hear from you!