Head Chef - Premium Pub

Hall & Woodhouse - East Region; Crawley Down; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Health cover

Wellbeing support

Discounts

Profit share

Bonus

Job summary

Hall & Woodhouse's Black Swan in the Crawley area is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead a high‑energy kitchen delivering quality fayre to central specs. You’ll drive a motivated team, ensuring consistency, taste, and presentation across all dishes.

The role offers a 5‑day week with stable hours and a competitive package up to £43K, plus a share of tips, profit share, and lifestyle benefits. This is a chance to thrive in a supportive, sustainability‑driven environment with clear career

Qualifications

• Head of a high‑volume pub kitchen delivering to central specs.
• Strong focus on food safety, hygiene and allergen control.
• Experience leading a diverse kitchen team and admin tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high‑performing kitchen team to brand specifications.
• Deliver high‑quality fayre in a fast‑paced, prestigious kitchen.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene and allergen management are met.
• Follow precise cooking and presentation specifications.
• Manage kitchen administration and scheduling as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Hygiene management

Kitchen admin

Brand compliance

Job description

£43K + Tips + Profit Share + Benefits + 5 days working .....

About Hall & Woodhouse

Hall & Woodhouse is the Dorset based brewer that owns over 150 high end pub restaurants and inns throughout the South of England. Founded in 1777 we are a family owned company that blends the best traditional values with a progressive and inclusive approach to business. H&W holds a Sponsor License and could consider applications from Head Chefs already in the UK working under SOC 5434.

Black Swan - Glorious 19th Century Pub

Part of the Hall & Woodhouse family of fabulous food pubs, and located just 1 mile from the M23 and Pease Pottage services, the Black Swan is the perfect example of a quality and friendly English pub. Family friendly with a large garden, function room, great food, drinks and coffee, a cosy bar and roaring fires, the Black Swan has been recently refurbished and is the perfect place to relax and unwind. The pub, which dates back to the 19th century, had its name changed in the 1980s but when Hall & Woodhouse acquired the pub in 2001 they reinstated the ‘Black Swan’ as the name.

Head Chef – Join a Sunday Times Best Place to Work

Looking for your next big step in a kitchen that’s full of energy, passion, and purpose?

We’re searching for a Head Chef comfortable in working to brand spec's to lead a high‑performing team at one of the area's best venues.

Why you’ll love working with us:

• Real work–life balance with a 5‑day week, consistent hours, and excellent working conditions.
• Great package of up to £43K, depending on level of development in the role plus a share of tips.
• Profit share scheme and bonus – when the business thrives, so do you.
• Comprehensive lifestyle benefits, including pension, health cover, wellbeing support, discounts, and more.
• A vibrant, supportive team in a business driven by sustainability and an authentic people-first culture.
• Job security and clear career progression, backed by an award‑winning employer.
• All the support you need to succeed – we set you up to lead with confidence.

You’ll thrive here if you’re:

• A highly organized, skilled Head Chef with experience delivering high-quality fayre to central spec's
• Someone who enjoys the buzz and spotlight of a fast-paced, prestige kitchen.
• A chef who truly cares – motivated, passionate, and committed to excellence.
• An expert in food safety, hygiene, and allergen management.
• Calm, dependable, and resilient under pressure, with a solutions-first mindset.
• Strong in kitchen admin and happy in following precise cooking and presentation specifications.
• A positive, inspirational leader who builds, motivates, and supports diverse teams.
• Diligent about compliance and sustainability.
• Able to reliably manage the commute and flexible to work days, evenings, and weekends.
• Keen to join an employer that recognizes and rewards dedication and talent.

Previous experience as head of managed pub kitchen is a big advantage.

Ready to Lead?

If you’re a hands‑on Head Chef with the skills, drive, and temperament to deliver consistent top‑quality dishes under time and volume pressure, we’d love to hear from you.