Head Chef, Destination Gastro Pub

Corecruitment; Watford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £42k–£45k

Bonus £4k–£5k potential

Two-bedroom flat available

Pet-friendly accommodation

Housing allowance £350 per bedroom

ASAP start

Opportunity to influence business

Job summary

Corecruitment is working with a food-led gastro pub in Watford to appoint an Experienced Head Chef who will own the kitchen, lead a team of six, and shape seasonal menus.

You will work closely with the owner, managing food operation standards, costs and events while mentoring apprentices and driving the business forward with energy and ideas.

Qualifications

• Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up.
• Background in a quality gastro pub, restaurant or similar operation.
• Commercially aware and comfortable with a busy kitchen.
• Passionate about good produce and consistent cooking.
• Energy, ambition and desire to make things better.
• Ownership mindset over the kitchen and food identity.

Responsibilities

• Lead a kitchen team of around 6 chefs, including 2 apprentices.
• Take ownership of the food operation and kitchen standards.
• Develop seasonal, quality-led gastro pub menus.
• Work alongside the owner initially before taking full control of the kitchen.
• Oversee restaurant service, weddings, functions and events.
• Manage ordering, stock, GP, wastage and kitchen costs.
• Develop and mentor junior chefs and apprentices.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Cost control

Mentoring

Energy and ambition

Job description

We’re working with an established, food-led destination gastro pub with a strong reputation for quality, a loyal customer base and a real sense of identity. Food accounts for around 70% of the business, with a busy restaurant operation alongside weddings, functions and events. The venue has already picked up industry recognition and now has ambitions to build further, including working towards Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs and Bib Gourmand recognition.

This is an opportunity for a chef to take genuine ownership of the kitchen and become part of the next stage of the business.

THE ROLE

• Lead a kitchen team of around 6 chefs, including 2 apprentices
• Take ownership of the food operation and kitchen standards
• Develop seasonal, quality-led gastro pub menus
• Work alongside the owner initially before taking full control of the kitchen
• Maintain the existing food identity while bringing your own ideas
• Oversee restaurant service, weddings, functions and events
• Manage ordering, stock, GP, wastage and kitchen costs
• Develop and mentor junior chefs and apprentices
• Work closely with local colleges and support new talent
• Help drive the business forward as part of a longer-term investment plan

THE PERSON

• Experienced Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up
• Background in a quality gastro pub, restaurant or similar operation
• Commercially aware and comfortable with a busy kitchen
• Passionate about good produce and consistent cooking
• Someone with energy, ambition and a desire to make things better
• You don’t need a Rosette-heavy CV. Experience, attitude and the ability to take ownership matter more

THE PACKAGE

• £42,000–£45,000 salary
• £4,000–£5,000 potential bonus
• Two-bedroom flat available
• Pet-friendly accommodation
• £350 per bedroom per month
• ASAP start available
• Genuine opportunity to influence the future of an established business

If you’re a Sous Chef ready for your first Head Chef role, or an established Head Chef looking for somewhere you can genuinely make your mark, get in touch.

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