Senior Chef - The Angel Inn Pub

The Newt in Somerset; Castle Cary; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life cover

Remote GP 24/7

Spa access

50% off Spa Treatments

Gym access

Cycle to work

Staff meal

Staff discount 30%

Garden membership

Newt Awards

Hotel discounts

Fun Squad

Annual leave 30 days

Job summary

The Angel Inn in Castle Cary is seeking a Senior Chef to lead a fresh opening kitchen, delivering seasonal pub dishes with The Newt in Somerset’s standards. You’ll guide daily prep and service, set high culinary standards and mentor a growing kitchen team under the guidance of the General Manager and Head of Food.

We seek a hands-on leader with passion for quality ingredients, provenance-led menus and strong food-cost awareness.

Qualifications

• Strong professional cooking experience in pub/restaurant/hotel kitchens with supervisory duties.
• Hands-on leader who sets clear standards and supports colleagues with practical guidance.
• Pride in food quality, preparation and presentation with seasonal provenance.
• Experience managing ordering, stock, deliveries and waste with cost awareness.
• Knowledge of HACCP, food safety and allergen management; relevant hygiene qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily preparation and service, maintaining high cooking standards and organisation.
• Collaborate with Head of Food to develop seasonal menus and recipes.
• Coach and develop kitchen team; support wider team management.
• Manage ordering, deliveries, stock, rotation and waste; monitor costs.
• Oversee HACCP, food safety, allergen management and kitchen records.
• Ensure kitchen cleanliness, safety and equipment maintenance.
• Assist opening prep, training and establishing shared standards.
• Complete induction and embed standards with wider food teams.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Food quality awareness

Food cost control

Job description

Senior Chef – The Angel Inn

Up to £38,000 per annum plus tronc and fantastic benefits

45 hours per week across 5 days out of 7, including regular weekends. Based onsite in Castle Cary.

Advert closes: Thursday 22nd October 2026 at 5pm

Bring your love of seasonal food to the heart of a Somerset local.

Our Senior Chef

Help shape a new kitchen from the very beginning. Joining the opening team at The Angel Inn, a community-led pub with rooms in the heart of Castle Cary, you’ll bring The Newt in Somerset’s approach to food to a relaxed and welcoming setting. As our Senior Chef, you’ll lead daily preparation and service, combining confident, hands‑on cooking with clear direction and support for your team. Working closely with the General Manager and Head of Food, you’ll contribute to seasonal menus that celebrate quality ingredients, generous pub dishes and the produce of our growers and makers. It’s an opportunity to establish a well‑run kitchen, develop your colleagues and create food that gives guests every reason to return.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily preparation and service, maintaining consistently high standards of cooking, presentation and organisation.
• Work with the Head of Food to develop seasonal menus, dishes, specials and recipes.
• Guide, train and develop the kitchen team, supporting the General Manager with wider team management where required.
• Manage ordering, deliveries, stock and rotation, controlling waste and supporting sensible food costs.
• Oversee HACCP, food safety, allergen management, hygiene and kitchen records, ensuring checks are completed correctly.
• Keep the kitchen clean, safe and well organised, ensuring equipment is used appropriately and maintenance concerns are reported.
• Help establish the kitchen before opening, including equipment familiarisation, recipe and service testing, stock processes and team training.
• Complete an induction within The Newt in Somerset’s existing kitchens and work closely with our wider food teams to embed shared standards and ways of working.

What we can offer

• A positive workplace environment with opportunities to develop both personally and professionally.
• Peace of mind with Employee Life Cover, providing your nominated loved one with 2x your salary.
• Support from our Employee Assistance Programme, including unlimited 24/7 remote GP appointments for you and your family.
• Look after your wellbeing with complimentary access to our Spa and swimming pools and our exclusive benefit of 50% off Spa Treatments.
• Stay in shape with complimentary use of our gym and wellbeing classes.
• Access to our Cycle to Work scheme, supporting wellbeing and sustainable commuting.
• Complimentary staff meal when onsite – crafted by our dedicated kitchen team, often featuring fresh produce from our estate.
• Enjoy shopping in both our shops on estate and online with 30% discount for all our colleagues and free delivery for any online purchases.
• Complimentary garden membership for The Newt and our partner gardens, including the Eden Project, Kew Gardens and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
• We value your hard work and recognise your achievements through our colleague recognition programme – Newt Awards, with the opportunity to achieve amazing rewards, including a complimentary Hotel Stay.
• Discover exclusive perks with discounted hotel stays for staff, accompanied by a 30% discount at our restaurants.
• A team that knows how to have fun with regular team engagement activities, including Fun Squad events.
• Up to 30 days annual leave each year for our full-time team.

What we’re looking for

• Strong professional cooking experience in a pub, restaurant, hotel or comparable hospitality kitchen, with experience leading or supervising a kitchen team.
• A hands‑on leader who sets clear standards and supports colleagues through practical guidance and feedback.
• Pride in food quality, preparation and presentation, ideally with experience of seasonal British produce and provenance‑led menus.
• Experience managing ordering, stock, deliveries, rotation and waste, with an understanding of food costs.
• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, food safety, allergen management and kitchen health and safety, supported by relevant food hygiene qualifications and HACCP training.
• Experience contributing to menus, recipes or seasonal menu changes.
• Good organisation and a calm, adaptable approach to busy services and changing demands.
• Clear communication and a collaborative approach to working with kitchen, front‑of‑house and management teams. Experience supporting a new opening would be welcome.

Where you’ll be working

The Angel Inn is a community-led pub with rooms in the heart of Castle Cary, offering a relaxed and informal experience while maintaining the quality and attention to detail associated with The Newt in Somerset. The kitchen will deliver simple, seasonal and produce‑led pub food, using quality ingredients and produce grown, made and sourced across The Newt estate wherever appropriate.

The food offering will combine well‑executed pub dishes with generous bar snacks and smaller plates, including products from The Newt and Babylonstoren, alongside bakery goods from The Newt Bakery during the day. Working closely with the Head of Food and wider Newt kitchen teams, the kitchen will focus on consistency, provenance, sensible food costs and establishing strong food standards and ways of working from the outset.

Who We Are – The Newt in Somerset

Nestled within an expanse of rolling fields and steeped in ancient history, our luxury country estate stands as a haven of refined elegance, inviting guests to explore acres of captivating gardens, meandering pathways, and enriching exhibitions - accessible 364 days a year for our members. Our hotel extends a warm welcome, offering a home‑away‑from‑home experience where impeccable service flourishes in an ambiance of unassuming sophistication. Beyond the estate, the Newt's essence remains tangible, with our Ecommerce teams delivering our finest products to homes, while media and membership endeavours keep them informed of our latest developments. Behind the scenes, a tapestry of talented teams - from Housekeeping to HR, Finance to Farming - collaborates harmoniously, crafting an unforgettable journey of growth, development, and innovation, where every contribution creates unparalleled experiences.

INDAVR