Head Chef – Riverside Leisure Park

Verdant Leisure Limited; Brighton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading leisure company in the UK seeks a Head Chef to lead the kitchen team at Riverside Leisure Park. This role involves preparing high-quality meals, managing food stock, and ensuring food safety standards. Ideal candidates should have prior experience in a professional kitchen, excellent communication skills, and a passion for food. Competitive salary starting from £32,000, with full-time hours. On-site accommodation available.

Benefits

Enhanced annual leave entitlement

Online discount platform

Discounts on park breaks

Discounts on park facilities

Annual 'Verdant Experience' park break

24/7 confidential counselling and advice line

Opportunities for recognition and reward

Training & development opportunities

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a professional kitchen or similar role is required.
• Must be enthusiastic, friendly, and passionate about food.
• Good knowledge of food preparation and presentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen team in meal preparation and presentation.
• Manage food stock levels and ensure hygiene standards.
• Amend menu items for dietary requirements.

Skills

Food safety and hygiene standards

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Knowledge of food allergies and dietary restrictions

Enthusiasm for food

Education

Catering qualification

Job description

Head Chef – Riverside Leisure Park

We’re getting ready for an exciting transformation as our venue undergoes a full refurbishment, including a modern, brand-new kitchen. We’re now looking for enthusiastic, committed individuals to join us ahead of our relaunch. Expected start date from February 2026! If you believe in being brilliant at the basics, delivering consistently high standards, and creating great guest experiences, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for people who bring energy, reliability, and a positive attitude to every shift. We also offer on-site staff accommodation*, making it easy for you to focus on what you do best from day one. If you’re ready to join a refreshed, modern, and fast-paced environment where your effort truly makes a difference, this could be the perfect next step for you.

Salary: From £32,000, Dependant on experience

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time, 45 hours over 5 days each week. Shifts will include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Location: Riverside Leisure Park, South Rd, Wooler NE71 6NJ

About the Role

Our Head Chef leads the kitchen team in preparing meals and snacks to order throughout the day, producing consistently well presented, high quality and tasty food from our menu and special boards. Managing the kitchen team’s productivity and development, they oversee that the kitchens daily duties are completed effectively as well as working closely with the Venue Manager to ensure the smooth running of the F & B service. This role is essential in guaranteeing quality food service our guests anticipate, providing them with another option to self-catering and allowing them to spend more precious time with family and friends.

Key Duties

• Managing food stock levels.
• Ensuring all food hygiene and health and safety measures are met.
• Preparing and cooking food from our regular menu as well as our specials boards in line with company standards.
• Amending menu items to account for allergies and/or dietary requirements as needed.
• Ensuring food products are stored properly, at the correct temperatures and in the correct area.
• Safely operate a wide range of kitchen equipment including ovens, stoves, fryers, grills and other specialist equipment.
• Maintaining clean premises, clearing and cleaning, ensuring workstations are kept clean and tidy.
• Ensuring that all temperature checks are carried out and recorded.

About the Person

You should have a good knowledge of food preparation and presentation. Previous experience in a professional kitchen and similar job role is required. You will need to be enthusiastic, friendly and passionate about food. Above all, you will need to have the right attitude. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and so we expect you to do everything in your power to make their Verdant experience the absolute best it could possibly be.

Skills and Experience Required

• Previous experience in a professional kitchen/similar job role.
• A commitment to producing consistent and excellent quality food.
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards in catering.
• Knowledge of food allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Good organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work well under pressure.
• A relevant catering qualification will be advantageous.

Benefits

• Enhanced annual leave entitlement for length of service.
• Save money with our online discount platform.
• Discounts on park breaks for you, your friends and your family.
• Discounts on park facilities, including restaurant and leisure.
• An annual 'Verdant Experience' – a park break, but with no charge.
• Access to a 24/7 confidential counselling and advice line.
• Opportunities for recognition and reward.
• Training & development opportunities.

About the Company

Verdant Leisure own and operate holiday parks in some of the UK’s most picturesque spots across Scotland and England. Each of our parks are unique with plenty to offer, whether its beach-side or countryside, self-catering holidays or holiday home ownership, entertainment in our bars and restaurants or a relaxing swim in our pools. We are passionate about our customers and work hard to ensure they have the best possible experience at our parks.

Verdant Leisure is an equal opportunities employer and a member of the Disability Confident scheme. Please contact us if you require any information in an alternative format.