Head Chef - Lyndhurst

Profiles Personnel; Aldershot; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Single-person live-in accommodation

Job summary

Profiles Personnel is recruiting a Head Chef for a historic New Forest pub. You will own the kitchen, craft seasonal pub menus and celebrate quality ingredients that reflect the local character.

You will lead a small kitchen team, uphold top standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene and service, and collaborate with management to deliver memorable guest experiences for locals and visitors alike.

Qualifications

• Proven kitchen leadership in a quality pub, restaurant or similar hospitality setting.
• Strong menu-development skills and commercial awareness.
• Proven experience working in a seasonal, high-volume hospitality business.
• Passion for creating quality dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients where possible.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, allergens and kitchen compliance.
• A calm, organised approach to leading busy services.
• A commitment to fresh food, consistency and attention to detail.
• A supportive leadership style that develops and retains talented team members.
• An understanding of the New Forest visitor market and serving locals and tourists.

Responsibilities

• Create and develop seasonal menus featuring high-quality, freshly prepared pub classics.
• Lead, train and motivate the kitchen team, building a positive and professional working environment.
• Maintain consistently high standards of food preparation, presentation and service.
• Manage food costs, stock and ordering while minimising waste and protecting profitability.
• Build strong supplier relationships, with emphasis on fresh, local and seasonal produce.
• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, health and safety, allergen and licensing requirements.
• Work closely with the management team to deliver memorable experiences for every guest.
• Plan effectively for busy services, special events, seasonal periods and changing demand.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

High-volume

Fresh ingredients

Food safety

Allergens knowledge

Calm leadership

Team development

New Forest market understanding

Job description

Our Client, an indepdant pub management company, is looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead the kitchen team and shape the next chapter of food offering.

Settled in the heart of the picturesque New Forest, is a quintessential English pub with a history stretching back several centuries. Known for its warm hospitality, cosy atmosphere and rustic character, it is a much-loved destination where locals and visitors come together to enjoy hearty food, local ales and the timeless charm of the New Forest.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the kitchen and deliver consistently excellent, seasonal pub food. You will combine traditional favourites with fresh ideas, creating menus that celebrate quality ingredients and the character of the local area.

You will lead from the front, inspiring the kitchen team while maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation, cleanliness and efficiency.

This is an excellent opportunity for a chef who thrives in a seasonal business, enjoys working with fresh ingredients, and is comfortable leading a small, close-knit team.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and develop seasonal menus featuring high-quality, freshly prepared pub classics.
• Lead, train and motivate the kitchen team, building a positive and professional working environment.
• Maintain consistently high standards of food preparation, presentation and service.
• Manage food costs, stock and ordering while minimising waste and protecting profitability.
• Build strong supplier relationships, with an emphasis on fresh, local and seasonal produce.
• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, health and safety, allergen and licensing requirements.
• Work closely with the management team to deliver memorable experiences for every guest.
• Plan effectively for busy services, special events, seasonal periods and changing levels of demand.

About You

You will be an experienced Head Chef, or a strong Sous Chef ready to take the next step, with a genuine passion for quality pub food and hospitality.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven kitchen leadership experience in a quality pub, restaurant or similar hospitality setting.
• Strong menu-development skills and sound commercial awareness.
• Proven experience working in a seasonal, high-volume hospitality business
• Passion for creating quality dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients where possible.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, allergens and kitchen compliance.
• A calm, organised approach to leading busy services.
• A commitment to fresh food, consistency and attention to detail.
• A supportive leadership style that develops and retains talented team members.
• An understanding of the New Forest visitor market and the importance of serving both loyal locals and tourists.

What We Offer

• A leading role in a historic and well-loved New Forest pub.
• The freedom to influence menus and develop the food identity
• A supportive working environment with an established customer base.
• Competitive salary and benefits, dependent on experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and progression.
• A beautiful countryside location in the heart of the New Forest.
• Single-person live-in accommodation if required