Head Chef

Fulliant; Hampshire (IL); On-site; GBP 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Head Chef to lead their renowned restaurant kitchen. This role offers a unique opportunity to showcase culinary creativity while managing a dedicated team. As the Head Chef, you'll be responsible for maintaining high standards of food quality and service, designing innovative menus, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. If you thrive in a high-pressure environment and have a passion for culinary excellence, this position is perfect for you. Join a vibrant team and make your mark in the culinary world, where your leadership and creativity will shine.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience as a Head Chef in a high-quality kitchen.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a dynamic kitchen team ensuring excellence.
• Design menus and oversee food production for events.

Skills

Leadership

Food Quality Management

Menu Design

Health & Safety Compliance

Team Training and Development

Organizational Skills

Education

Culinary Arts Degree

Tools

HACCP Standards

Inventory Management Systems

Job description

Salary: £40,000 to £42,000 per annum plus bonus and tips

Bedrooms: 4

Food Type: Small plates and modern British with a Mediterranean twist

Start Date: March 2025

We are seeking a talented and experienced Head Chef to lead our team at our renowned restaurant and rooms. With the background support of an executive chef, you will oversee our busy kitchen day to day, including private events and weddings. This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate culinary professional, with a strong background in hotel or restaurant kitchens. We are looking for someone dedicated to delivering exceptional food quality and service, with a calm, can-do attitude.

The Job Role:

As the Head Chef, you will be responsible for leading and managing a dynamic team within a busy, full-service kitchen. You will oversee food production for both our main dining service and high-end events, including parties & weddings, ensuring consistency and excellence at all times. Key responsibilities include:

1. Leading and managing the kitchen brigade, providing clear direction and support to your team
2. Ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and service standards are maintained
3. Designing our restaurant menu with the Executive Chef, and creating bespoke private dining menus
4. Managing food costs and inventory control to ensure profitability
5. Prioritising and enforcing Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, and HACCP compliance
6. Taking ownership of recruitment, training, development, and retention of kitchen staff
7. Overseeing rotas, and efficient staffing to ensure smooth operations
8. Driving service efficiency, especially during peak times, to ensure a seamless dining experience
9. Working with the Events/Marketing Team and the General Manager to promote our services
10. Staying up-to-date with current food trends and innovating within the kitchen

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned Head Chef with a proven track record in a hotel or restaurant kitchen, ideally with experience in a 2 rosettes-awarded kitchen. You will be calm, focused, and a natural leader, able to manage the kitchen in high-pressure environments. Additional key qualities we’re looking for include:

1. Strong background in a high-quality kitchen, with at least 3 years’ experience as a Head Chef
2. Experience in managing a busy, full-service kitchen, particularly within both a restaurant and events/catering environment
3. Exceptional knowledge of Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, and Food Costing
4. Ability to manage, train, and develop a diverse team
5. Strong organisational skills with experience in rota management
6. A passion for food quality, innovation, and presentation
7. Ability to work evenings and weekends
8. Interest in current food trends and a desire to maintain Pebble Beach’s high standards