Head Chef Oxfordshire

Lime Hospitality; Abingdon; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Staff discounts

Free on-site parking

Supportive family-run culture

Job summary

Lime Recruit Limited seeks a Head Chef for a garden centre restaurant near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The role offers predominantly daytime hours and a salary in the £35,000-£40,000 range, with progression opportunities within a growing family-run business.

You will lead a kitchen team, craft breakfasts, lunches, and seasonal menus, and drive menu development across the group, all while maintaining high standards of quality and hygiene.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Head Chef or an ambitious Sous Chef ready to step up.
• Passion for fresh food and seasonal cooking.
• Strong understanding of food cost control, stock management, and kitchen profitability.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a successful kitchen team.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, allergens, and health and safety requirements.
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification, or willingness to obtain one.
• Confidence using ordering, stock control, and rota systems.
• Reliable transport to travel to the site.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the kitchen team during preparation and service.
• Prepare fresh breakfasts, lunches, and seasonal specials using quality ingredients.
• Contribute ideas and creativity to menu development and seasonal promotions.
• Manage production for afternoon teas, events, and peak trading periods.
• Control food costs through effective ordering, stock management, and waste reduction.
• Recruit, train, and develop chefs and kitchen assistants.
• Work closely with the Restaurant Manager to ensure efficient staffing and smooth operations.
• Collaborate with front-of-house to deliver a seamless guest experience.
• Maintain exceptional food safety and hygiene standards.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Cost control

Menu development

Team motivation

Education

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Job description

Head Chef - Oxfordshire - £35,000-£40,000

£35,000-£40,000 per year | Full-time, Permanent | Predominantly Daytime Hours

Are you a passionate chef looking for a role that offers a better work-life balance without compromising on quality, creativity, or career progression? We're looking for a talented Head Chef to lead the kitchen in one of our thriving garden centre restaurants near Abingdon. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients, inspire a dedicated team, and play a key role in shaping menus across our growing family-run business.

About Us

We are a proudly independent, family-owned group with a passion for great food and genuine hospitality. Our restaurants are at the heart of our centres, welcoming guests throughout the day for freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas, and special events. We believe in creating an enjoyable working environment where people are supported, valued, and given the opportunity to develop and grow.

The Offer

• Salary of £35,000-£40,000, with higher earnings available for candidates with multi-site menu development experience
• Predominantly daytime hours, averaging 39.5 hours per week over a two-week rota
• The opportunity to influence and develop menus across our wider restaurant group
• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Staff discounts across the business
• Free on-site parking
• A supportive, family-run culture where your ideas and experience are genuinely valued
• The chance to work with fresh food in a business that prioritises quality over shortcuts

The Role

As Head Chef, you'll be at the heart of the kitchen, leading by example and ensuring every dish leaving the pass reflects our commitment to quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction. You will:

• Lead and motivate the kitchen team during preparation and service
• Prepare fresh breakfasts, lunches, and seasonal specials using quality ingredients
• Contribute ideas and creativity to menu development and seasonal promotions
• Manage production for afternoon teas, events, and peak trading periods
• Control food costs through effective ordering, stock management, and waste reduction
• Recruit, train, and develop chefs and kitchen assistants
• Work closely with the Restaurant Manager to ensure efficient staffing and smooth operations
• Collaborate with front-of-house teams to deliver a seamless guest experience
• Maintain exceptional food safety and hygiene standards

About You

We're looking for a chef who combines strong culinary ability with a positive leadership style. You'll have:

• Experience as a Head Chef or an ambitious Sous Chef ready to step up
• A genuine passion for fresh food and seasonal cooking
• A strong understanding of food cost control, stock management, and kitchen profitability
• The ability to lead, motivate, and develop a successful kitchen team
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, allergens, and health and safety requirements
• A Level 3 Food Safety qualification, or a willingness to obtain one
• Confidence using ordering, stock control, and rota systems
• Reliable transport to travel to the site

Experience That Would Be Beneficial

• Seasonal menu planning and development
• Afternoon tea or event catering experience
• Training and mentoring junior chefs or apprentices
• Creating costed recipes and specifications for multiple sites

If you're looking for a Head Chef role that combines quality food, creative input, supportive leadership, and a healthier work-life balance, we'd love to hear from you.