Head Chef Designate

Hickory's Smokehouse; Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tip Jar

Award-winning training

Birthday meal

Christmas Day off

Team discount

Wellbeing support

Refer a friend scheme

Job summary

Hickory's Smokehouse in Abingdon, England is seeking a Head Chef to lead our bespoke kitchen and deliver authentic BBQ with passion. You will manage the brigade, drive menu quality, and ensure smooth kitchen operation in one of our busiest restaurants.

We offer a generous package up to £46,000 per year including Tip Jar and uncapped bonus, plus extensive training through our award-winning academy, progression opportunities, and excellent work-life balance in a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen brigade at a busy restaurant.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Passion for BBQ and high-quality food.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the kitchen team to consistently deliver high-quality BBQ dishes.
• Oversee menu planning, food safety, and stock control to maximise profitability.
• Coach and develop junior chefs and line cooks to drive excellence.

Job description

Join us as a Head Chef and we can offer you a generous package of up to £46,000 per year including Tip Jar plus uncapped bonus!

Start an exciting new chapter in your hospitality career with Hickory's Smokehouse – join our award-winning team and discover what makes us different.

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.

Why join Hickory's?

• Salary up to £41,000 per year plus over £5000+ per year tip jar and uncapped bonus!
• £250k bespoke-built kitchen with USA-imported smokers
• Award-winning training & clear progression opportunities
• Free team food on shift & a birthday meal on us – Huge BBQ menu with endless possibilities!
• Christmas Day off
• Paid time off for life’s big moments (weddings, first day at school, moving into your first home & more
• 25% team discount across Hickory’s (Rising to 50% with loyal service)
• 24/7 wellbeing support & a culture that truly values work–life balance
• Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
• 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

REF: INDCHEF