Head Chef – Gartlan’s Gastro Bar

Romantic-Castles-of-Ireland; Kingscourt; On-site; EUR 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Creative Freedom

Team Autonomy

Operational Support

High-visibility role

Supportive culture

Competitive pay & roster flexibility

Job summary

Romantic-Castles-of-Ireland is seeking a passionate Head Chef to launch and lead Gartlan's new gastro-pub in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. You will design a from-scratch menu blending traditional Irish pub dishes with modern techniques and seasonal produce.

As culinary lead, you will shape the venue's identity, lead hands-on service, and have the opportunity to recruit and build your compact kitchen team, including a Second Chef and kitchen porter support.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to take the next step.
• Versatile, proactive attitude; thrives in a small, close-knit team.
• Ability to mentor and lead a small kitchen team.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Valid permission to live and work in Ireland and commute to Kingscourt daily.

Responsibilities

• Menu development & execution for a gastro-pub offering.
• Hands-on cooking and service leadership.
• Recruitment and onboarding of the Second Chef; supervise kitchen staff.
• Oversee stock, ordering, waste, and kitchen flow in a compact, fast-paced environment.
• Source fresh, locally sourced, seasonal Irish ingredients.
• Maintain HACCP standards and kitchen cleanliness.
• Collaborate with owners on promotional events and branding.

Skills

Head chef experience

Leadership

Communication

Logistics planning

Job description

Location: On site / Dunaree, Co. Cavan, A82 A0D9, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Hospitality | Chefs
Annual Salary range:from € 43,000.00 to € 53,000.00

Reporting to: Owners / Management Group

Roster: Straight Shifts Only (No Split Shifts) / 4-Day Work Week Options Available

About Us

Gartlan's traditional Irish bar of Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, under new management by the team behind Cabra Castle, is seeking a passionate, ambitious, and creative Head Chef to launch and lead our new culinary offering.

This role is ideal for a driven, up-and-coming talent eager to make their mark. You will have the unique opportunity to design a menu from scratch, combining traditional Irish pub favourites with modern cooking techniques and seasonal ingredients.

As the culinary lead of this exciting new venture, you will play a hands-on role in shaping the identity of Kingscourt's newest dining destination, including the unique opportunity to help recruit and build your own compact kitchen team (comprising a second chef and kitchen porter support).

Key Responsibilities

• Menu Development & Execution: Create and deliver an innovative, high-quality gastro-pub menu, including daily specials and signature dishes that set Gartlan's apart.
• Hands-On Cooking: Lead from the front by preparing, cooking, and presenting dishes to the highest standards during service.
• Team Building & Supervision: Assist owners in the selection, recruitment, and onboarding of your Second Chef; manage day-to-day operations and supervise kitchen staff.
• Kitchen Management: Oversee stock control, ordering, waste management, and kitchen flow in a compact, fast-paced environment.
• Sourcing: Champion fresh, locally sourced, and seasonal Irish ingredients.
• Compliance: Maintain impeccable standards of food safety, hygiene (HACCP), and kitchen cleanliness.
• Brand Collaboration: Partner with owners on food photography, promotional features, and special dining events to drive the business forward.

Requirements

• Experience: Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to take the next step, ideally within a gastro-pub or restaurant environment.
• Mindset: A versatile, proactive, "can-do" attitude-thriving in a small, close-knit team where everyone rolls up their sleeves.
• Leadership: Ability to mentor and lead a small, efficient team.
• Communication: Fluent written and spoken English.
• Logistics: Valid permission to live and work in Ireland, and the ability to reliably commute to Kingscourt daily.

What We Offer (Benefits)

• Creative Freedom: The rare opportunity to build and set up your own kitchen environment and menu in collaboration with supportive, experienced owners.
• Team Autonomy: Input into the recruitment of your own Second Chef, allowing you to build a team that fits your workflow.
• Operational Support: Dedicated kitchen porter support during peak service hours to keep the kitchen running smoothly.
• Key Platform: A high-visibility role to make a name for yourself in the regional food scene, backed by an established hospitality name.
• Work Environment: A supportive, friendly, and close-knit working culture.
• Reward: Competitive rates of pay (commensurate with experience) and flexibility in roster planning.