Head Chef - New Opening

Hickory's Smokehouse; Stockton-on-Tees; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Hickory's Smokehouse as a Head Chef and lead a passionate team in a bespoke kitchen environment. With a generous salary package and incredible benefits, you will deliver the finest BBQ dishes while enjoying a strong work-life balance and career growth opportunities. Be part of an award-winning team that prioritizes both success and employee wellness.

Benefits

Generous bonus and tip jar

£250k bespoke kitchen

Excellent training and progression opportunities

Birthday reward meal

Free BBQ on shift

Christmas Day off work

Paid occasion days off

25% discount for team members

Wellbeing support program

Refer a friend scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or in a similar role.
• Expertise in BBQ cuisine and kitchen management.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team to deliver high-quality BBQ dishes.
• Manage kitchen operations and maintain standards.
• Oversee food preparation and staff training.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary Skills

Team Management

Job description

Start an exciting new chapter in your hospitality career at Hickory's Smokehouse - We arethrilled to have been recently crowned the‘Best Pub Employer’ for 2025 at The Publican Awards!

Join us as a Head Chef and we can offer you a generous package of up to £45,000 per year including Tip Jar plus uncapped bonus!

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.

Thank You’s & Benefits:

• A generous Head Chef package of up to £45,000 per year including Tip Jar plus uncapped bonus!
• The chance to work in one of our £250k bespoke built kitchens, with authentic smokers imported all the way from USA
• Excellent training & progression opportunities – through our award-winning Hickory’s Training Academy
• Birthday reward meal on us for you & your friends - every year
• Free smokin’ BBQ on shift – team food & drinks menu
• Christmas Day off work - every year
• Moments that matter – paid occasion days off (Wedding day, kid’s first day at school, moving into first home & more)
• Team Player card – 25% discount for you & 5 friends in all Hickory’s (rising to 50% for loyal service)
• Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
• Wellbeing support & 24-hour access to our wellness programme, plus a Wellbeing Champion in each restaurant to support you
• Our pledge to a work-life balance – monitoring & managing through our Red Zone
• A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
• Up to £500 for you – through the refer a friend scheme

If that sounds good or does it leave you wanting to find out more? Click ‘apply’ now and you could be our next Head Chef.

REF: INDSP TYHCNO