Head Chef - The Bridge Inn

Buzzworks Holdings; Linlithgow; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible working

Training & Development

Staff discount 40%

Tips shared via TRONC

Internal progression

Extra holidays

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing support

Financial wellbeing support

Job summary

Buzzworks Holdings' The Bridge Inn in Linlithgow is seeking a Head Chef who can own the kitchen, lead a talented team and deliver consistently brilliant food with energy, ideas and personality at every service.

You will be hands-on during busy service, drive high standards of taste, presentation and speed, recruit and develop your brigade, manage GP, stock and wastage, and create a kitchen culture that supports growth and guest delight.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a busy kitchen, ideally as Head Chef or a senior Sous Chef.
• People-focused leadership with the ability to develop others and manage a team under pressure.
• Strong commercial awareness including GP, stock and labour planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen operation and be visible during service.
• Deliver consistently high standards of food, presentation and speed.
• Recruit, train, coach and develop a strong kitchen team.
• Build a positive kitchen culture that supports growth and local pride.
• Manage food GP, labour, stock, ordering and wastage.
• Plan effectively for busy services, events and seasonal trading.
• Maintain food safety, allergen and kitchen compliance standards.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and venue team.
• Bring energy and ideas to the food offer.
• Take pride in the kitchen, team and guest experience.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Team development

Cost control

Stock management

Food safety

Menu planning

Service delivery

Allergen handling

People skills

Job description

Great food. Great people. A proper local at the heart of Linlithgow. The Bridge Inn is a historic coaching inn with plenty of character and a real place in the local community. From relaxed lunches and busy dinners to weekend breakfasts, Sunday roasts and special occasions, food is a huge part of what makes The Bridge Inn tick. We are looking for a Head Chef who can take ownership of the kitchen, lead a great team and deliver consistently brilliant food, while bringing energy, ideas and personality to the role. This is a role for someone who loves being in the kitchen. Someone who can lead from the front during a busy service, develop their team, understand the numbers and take real pride in every plate leaving the pass.

The Buzz

• Competitive Head Chef salary and package
• Flexible working and a strong focus on work-life balance
• Training & Development, supported all the way
• 40% staff discount across all Buzzworks venues
• 100% of tips shared with our teams through TRONC
• Internal progression opportunities
• Extra holidays at 1, 3 and 5 years' service
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Stream rewards and financial wellbeing support
• Work with great people in a company that is growing

The Work

As Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the kitchen at The Bridge Inn. You will lead, coach and develop the kitchen team, creating a positive environment where people enjoy coming to work and everyone understands the standards expected.

Day To Day, You Will

• Lead the kitchen operation and be visible and hands-on during service
• Deliver consistently high standards of food, presentation and speed
• Recruit, train, coach and develop a strong kitchen team
• Build a positive kitchen culture where people can learn and progress
• Manage food GP, labour, stock, ordering and wastage
• Plan effectively for busy services, weekends, events and seasonal trading
• Maintain excellent food safety, allergen and kitchen compliance standards
• Work closely with the General Manager and wider venue team
• Bring ideas, energy and enthusiasm to the food offer
• Take pride in the kitchen, the team and the overall guest experience

About You

• You will already have strong experience leading a busy kitchen, either as a Head Chef or an experienced Sous Chef ready to take the next step.
• More importantly, you will be a people person as well as a great chef.
• You will understand that running a successful kitchen is about more than cooking. It is about developing people, controlling costs, planning ahead, setting standards and creating a team that performs when the pressure is on.
• You will be comfortable with fresh food, busy services and high-volume trading, with a good commercial understanding of GP, stock and labour.
• You will also have the confidence to put your own stamp on the kitchen while delivering the quality and consistency our guests expect.

The Place

The Bridge Inn is a proper local with personality a historic inn where strangers and friends are equally welcome. The food reflects that. Big flavours, quality ingredients and dishes people genuinely want to eat, whether that is a relaxed midweek lunch, a great steak, Sunday roast or dinner with friends. We need a Head Chef who understands that balance , great pub food, delivered really well, by a happy and well-led kitchen team. If that sounds like your kind of kitchen, we would love to hear from you.