Head Chef – Pre-Opening Gastropub & Chop House

COREcruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full ownership of a new kitchen

Pre-opening involvement ahead of a 202

Job summary

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment Ltd is recruiting a Head Chef to open a new gastropub and upstairs chop house at King’s Cross, leading the kitchen from day one and shaping the seasonal menu. You’ll build a brigade, manage GP and costs, and ensure top food safety standards ahead of a Spring 2027 opening.

The package offers £52,000–£55,000 with full ownership of the kitchen. Interviews are taking place now with a view to starting before Christmas, ensuring a smooth pre-opening and a strong launch for

Qualifications

• An established Head Chef, or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up to a Head Chef role.
• A solid fresh food background, ideally from quality gastropubs, chop houses, grills or restaurants.
• Opening or pre-opening experience is a real advantage.
• A hands‑on leader who can build, train and keep a team.
• Commercially aware, with a good understanding of GP and kitchen costs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full kitchen operation across the downstairs pub and the upstairs chop house.
• Write and develop seasonal menus built on fresh British produce, cooked from scratch.
• Play a key part in the pre-opening, including kitchen set-up, suppliers, systems and launch menus.
• Recruit, train and develop a new brigade, and build a strong kitchen culture from the start.
• Run busy services across a 7-day operation, including a strong Sunday lunch trade.
• Manage GP, food costs, labour, ordering and stock control.
• Keep food safety, health and safety and allergen standards at the highest level.

Job description

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment Ltd is recruiting a Head Chef to open a new gastropub and upstairs chop house at King’s Cross, leading the kitchen from day one and shaping the seasonal menu. You’ll build a brigade, manage GP and costs, and ensure top food safety standards ahead of a Spring 2027 opening.

The package offers £52,000–£55,000 with full ownership of the kitchen. Interviews are taking place now with a view to starting before Christmas, ensuring a smooth pre-opening and a strong launch for