Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager

Pub & Kitchen - Bra_201; East Meon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Food & drink discounts

Wellbeing support

Family-friendly benefits

Recognition program

Retail discounts

Job summary

The Star, part of Greene King, is seeking an experienced Kitchen Manager to lead the kitchen operation in Chalton. You will drive menu quality, manage a busy team and safeguard food safety while delivering an excellent guest experience.

Responsibilities include rostering, costing, stock control and collaboration with front-of-house to ensure smooth service and commercial success.

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy kitchen, ideally in pub/restaurant
• Hands-on leadership style and lead by example
• Passion for great food and consistently high standards
• Good knowledge of stock control, ordering, rotas and kitchen costs
• Strong organisational skills and staying calm under pressure
• Good understanding of food safety and kitchen compliance
• Ability to motivate your team and develop colleagues' skills

Responsibilities

• Lead from the front: motivate, coach and develop your kitchen team
• Deliver great food: maintain quality, presentation and portion control
• Run an efficient kitchen: manage stock, ordering, waste and labour costs
• Plan for success: organise rotas, prep and service for busy periods
• Maintain high standards: food safety, allergen management and cleanliness
• Work as one team: collaborate with General Manager and front-of-house to ensure guest satisfaction

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Stock control

Cost control

Food safety

Team motivation

Calm under pressure

Job description

Job Description

What's the opportunity?

The Star is a charming, stone-built pub restaurant with over 400 years of history, nestled in the village of Chalton, just a short drive from Luton. With its welcoming atmosphere, peaceful bar area and spacious beer garden, it's a popular place for guests to relax, enjoy great pub food and spend time with family and friends.

As Kitchen Manager, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring every dish is delivered to a high standard while keeping the team motivated, organised and ready for service.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading from the front: Motivate, coach and develop your kitchen team, creating a positive environment where everyone can succeed.

• Delivering great food: Maintain consistent quality, presentation and portion control across the menu.

• Running an efficient kitchen: Manage stock, ordering, waste and labour costs to support strong commercial performance.

• Planning for success: Organise rotas, preparation and service to ensure the kitchen runs smoothly during busy periods.

• Maintaining high standards: Ensure food safety, allergen management and kitchen cleanliness are always a priority.

• Working as one team: Build strong relationships with the General Manager and front-of-house team to deliver an excellent guest experience.

Qualifications

What we're looking for

We're looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager, Head Chef or senior kitchen professional who's ready to take ownership and make a real difference.

You’ll bring:

• Previous experience working in a busy kitchen, ideally within a pub or restaurant.

• A hands-on leadership style and the confidence to lead by example.

• A passion for great food and consistently high standards.

• Good knowledge of stock control, ordering, rotas and kitchen costs.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

• A good understanding of food safety and kitchen compliance.

• The ability to motivate your team and help colleagues develop their skills.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who takes pride in their work, enjoys being part of a team and understands how a well-run kitchen contributes to the success of the whole pub.

Additional Information

What's in it for you?

At Greene King, we believe in rewarding our teams and helping them build careers they can be proud of.

• Career development: Training, apprenticeships and opportunities to progress across Greene King.

• Discounts: 33% off food and drink in our pubs, plus 15% off for friends and family.

• Greene King Inns: 50% off stays and 25% off for friends and family.

• Wellbeing support: Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.

• Family-friendly benefits: Enhanced policies to support you through life's important moments.

• Recognition: Recommend a friend and earn up to £1,500.

• Financial wellbeing: Access to Wagestream to help manage your pay.

• Extra savings: Retail discounts, including Superdrug and Three Mobile.

Greene King is one of the UK's leading pub companies and brewers, with over 220 years of history and a team of around 39,000 people. We're passionate about pouring happiness into lives and becoming the pride of great British hospitality.

Ready to make your mark?

If you're a kitchen leader who loves great food, takes pride in developing people and is ready for a new challenge, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your passion. Lead your team. Make The Star shine.