Lead Head Chef — Drive Kitchen Excellence & Team Success

Greene King; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression across brands

Staff discounts on food & drink

Employee assistance program

Enhanced maternity/paternity policies

Refer a friend incentive

Wagestream access

Retail discounts

Job summary

Greene King is seeking a Head Chef for busy pub kitchens within our Chef & Brewer network. You will lead a team, deliver high-standard dishes, and ensure smooth service during peak periods.

Role includes training and developing staff, maintaining safety and hygiene, and driving consistent quality across the kitchen with clear progression routes within Greene King’s pub portfolio.

Qualifications

• Take the reins in the kitchen, lead the team to run better together.
• Communicate clearly to provide high-quality meals on time.
• Recognise and lead the team to maximise potential.
• Maintain hygiene levels and safety regulations in the kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Take the reins in the kitchen and drive smooth operation during busy services.
• Ensure high-quality meals and timely service through effective team leadership.
• Lead and train staff to maximise performance and consistency.
• Maintain hygiene standards and comply with safety regulations at all times.

Skills

Leadership

Team communication

Under pressure

Hygiene & safety

Job description

As a Head Chef, you’ll make sure everything in the kitchen runs smoothly during a busy service. You’ll know how to get the best out of your team by encouraging and supporting them to work well together, ensuring every dish served is of the highest standards.

Company Description

Join us at Chef & Brewer, a collection of unique country-style pubs set in beautiful locations across the country which are welcome escapes for our customers, that feel like a home away from home. Our relaxed pubs with beautifully decorated interiors, seriously good pub food and expertly chosen drinks ranges are the perfect places for our customers to enjoy any occasion.

Additional Information

We’re all about rewarding our team’s hard work, that’s why…

You’ll receive a competitive salary, pension contribution as well as:

• The chance to further your career across our well-known brands – as one of the industry's top apprenticeship providers, we can provide training and development at each level of your career.
• Discount of 33% for you and 15% for your loved ones on all of our brands – so you enjoy your favourite food and drink at a discount.
• Free employee assistance program – mental health, well-being, financial, and legal support because you matter!
• Enhanced, family-friendly maternity and paternity policies
• Menopause Friendly Employer
• Discount of 50% for you and 25% for your loved ones at our Greene King Inns and hotels – so you can enjoy a weekend away without breaking the bank.
• Refer a friend – who do you know who could be interested in a new role? When they are placed, you could earn up to £1,500 for referring them!
• Wagestream – access your wage before payday for when life happens.
• Retail discounts – Receive up to 30% off at Superdrug, exclusive discounts with Three Mobile along with many more…
  
  

CREATING PLACES WHERE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME, SAFE AND THAT THEY BELONG

We aim to embed inclusion into every decision we make – across our people, customers, communities, suppliers, and operations. We want to create a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to thrive.

Qualifications

As a Head Chef, you will…

• Take the reins in the kitchen, whether you are making decisions or coming up with fresh ways to help the team run better together.
• Communicate clearly with your team in order to provide high-quality meals to customers on time.
• Recognise and lead the team as a whole, understanding how to maximise their potential.
• Maintain hygiene levels and safety regulations in the kitchen to help to guarantee the care of your entire team and visitors.
  
  

What you’ll bring to the kitchen:

• Experience managing a busy kitchen, training and developing a high performing team who constantly exceed targets.
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen and getting the best out of your team around you.
• A keen eye for delivering tasty and well-presented meals to customers each and every time.
• Skill and willingness to take on and adapt to challenges whilst working in a busy kitchen.
• Sufficient spoken and written English to perform the role safely and understand allergen controls.