Head Chef - Colesbourne Inn

Wadworth & Co Ltd; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training & development

Career progression

Bonus opportunities

Discount 25% off food & accommodation

Tips

Cycle to Work

Parental leave

Accommodation provided

Double pay Xmas Day

Wagestream

Recognition

Job summary

Wadworth’s The Colesbourne Inn is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead a kitchen delivering exceptional food and guest experiences. You will drive high standards, manage costs and ensure safety compliance in a charming countryside setting.

You will develop and mentor kitchen staff, balance quality with profitability, and work closely with the General Manager to achieve business objectives. Previous Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef experience is essential; accommodation may be provided.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a kitchen leadership role.
• Strong culinary skills with a passion for great food.
• Commitment to high standards of hygiene, safety and quality.

Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for day-to-day kitchen operations.
• Lead, develop and inspire the kitchen team to deliver exceptional food and service.
• Ensure dishes are prepared, cooked and presented to specification.
• Manage labour, stock, wastage and margins to maximise profitability.
• Recruit and train chefs to build a skilled, engaged team.
• Maintain food hygiene, safety and health & safety compliance.
• Plan rotas and manage staffing to meet business needs.
• Monitor food quality and customer feedback to drive improvement.
• Collaborate with General Manager to achieve business objectives.
• Foster a positive culture of teamwork, accountability and excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary skills

Food safety

Hospitality knowledge

Job description

At Wadworth, we’re proud of our heritage, passionate about hospitality and committed to creating memorable experiences for every customer who walks through our doors.

The Colesbourne Inn is a charming coaching inn offering a traditional pub, restaurant and hotel accommodation in a stunning countryside setting. Combining historic character with exceptional hospitality, it’s a fantastic place to work as part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering great food, drink and guest experiences.

We’re looking for an experienced, inspiring and commercially minded Head Chef to lead our kitchen team. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented chef who is passionate about great food, developing people and running a successful kitchen operation.

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for the overall leadership and performance of the kitchen. You’ll lead your team to deliver consistently high-quality food, manage costs effectively, maintain exceptional food safety standards and create a positive, high-performing kitchen culture. Working closely with the General Manager, you’ll play a key role in the success of the business, ensuring every guest enjoys a memorable dining experience.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Taking full responsibility for the day-to-day operation and performance of the kitchen.
• Leading, developing and inspiring your kitchen team to deliver exceptional food and service standards.
• Ensuring dishes are prepared, cooked and presented consistently to specification.
• Managing labour, stock, wastage and food margins to maximise profitability.
• Recruiting, training and developing chefs and kitchen team members to build a skilled and engaged team.
• Maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene, food safety and health & safety compliance.
• Planning kitchen rotas and managing staffing levels to meet business needs.
• Monitoring food quality, customer feedback and operational performance to drive continuous improvement.
• Working collaboratively with the General Manager and wider management team to achieve business objectives.
• Creating a positive culture where teamwork, accountability and excellence are at the heart of everything you do.

What We’re Looking For

We want people who share our values and have a genuine passion for food, leadership and hospitality.

Quality: You are committed to delivering exceptional food and maintaining consistently high standards across every aspect of the kitchen operation.

Accountability: You take ownership of kitchen performance, lead by example and ensure your team consistently delivers against expectations.

One Team: You invest in your people, support their development and create an environment where everyone works together to achieve success.

Productivity: You have strong organisational and commercial skills, balancing food quality, team performance and profitability while ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently.

Legacy: You are proud to be part of a business with a rich heritage and understand your role in creating memorable dining experiences that keep guests returning.

Previous experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or in a similar kitchen leadership role is essential. You’ll be a confident leader with strong culinary skills, a commercial mindset and a passion for developing both people and food.

When You Join Wadworth, You’ll Benefit From:

• Training and development opportunities.
• Career progression opportunities within our growing estate.
• Bonus opportunities.
• Discount offering 25% off food, drink and accommodation.
• Tips.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Accommodation provided (subject to availability).
• Double pay on Christmas Day.
• Wagestream.
• Recognition for great work and living our values.