Lyons Share Hospitality
Head Chef
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Primary location: Near Haywards Heath, West Sussex
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Reporting to: Operations Director
Supported by: Culinary Director and Managing Director
About Lyons Share Hospitality
Lyons Share Hospitality is a growing British hospitality company delivering distinctive food, beverage and guest experiences across permanent venues, private and corporate events, and hospitality consultancy projects.
Our work is deliberately varied. We operate and support permanent hospitality venues, deliver events throughout the UK and create food experiences ranging from vibrant street food and high-volume event catering to formal dining, weddings, premium hospitality and bespoke menus. As we expand our portfolio of contracts and events for 2027, we are looking for an ambitious Head Chef to join our team and play a central role in the next stage of our growth.
The Role
This is a varied, hands-on leadership position working across our permanent contract venues and nationwide events business. For the initial 12 months, the role will be predominantly based at our venue near Haywards Heath. The Head Chef will be responsible for supporting the successful day-to-day operation of this venue while managing food preparation and production for our wider events business from the same kitchen.
The role offers considerably more variety than a traditional single-site Head Chef position. One week may focus on developing the food offer and leading service at our permanent venue, while another may involve preparing for a large corporate event, wedding, street-food operation or formal dinner elsewhere in the country.
You will work closely with our Operations Director, with strategic and culinary support from our Culinary Director and Managing Director.
This opportunity would suit an established Head Chef looking for a new adventure within a growing business or an experienced Senior Sous Chef ready to take the next step in their career.
Key Responsibilities
Kitchen Leadership
- Lead the day-to-day kitchen operation at our venue near Haywards Heath.
- Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
- Organise kitchen rotas, daily preparation, production schedules and service requirements.
- Lead, motivate and develop permanent, casual and event-based kitchen teams.
- Create a positive, professional and inclusive kitchen culture.
- Provide clear direction and maintain effective communication between the kitchen, front-of-house and management teams.
- Support the recruitment, induction and training of kitchen employees as the business grows.
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Events and Production
- Plan and manage food production for LSH events using the Haywards Heath kitchen as a principal production base.
- Translate event menus and client requirements into clear production schedules, prep lists, equipment lists and staffing plans.
- Travel with the business and lead kitchen operations at events and contract venues throughout the UK when required.
- Manage event logistics, including food transportation, storage, temperature control, equipment and on-site kitchen setup.
- Deliver a broad range of food styles, including street food, buffets, bowl food, weddings, corporate hospitality and formal dining.
- Ensure food is produced safely, efficiently and consistently across both permanent and temporary event kitchens.
Menu Development and Commercial Management
- Work with the Culinary Director and wider leadership team to develop creative, commercially viable menus.
- Adapt menus to suit different clients, venues, service formats, budgets and production environments.
- Complete recipe specifications, allergen information, food costings and production quantities.
- Manage food costs, portion control, labour deployment and kitchen expenditure.
- Monitor gross profit performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiency without compromising quality.
- Support supplier selection, purchasing and the responsible use of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
- Manage ordering, stock rotation, stocktakes, waste control and kitchen inventory.
Food Safety and Compliance
- Take ownership of food safety and hygiene standards within the kitchen.
- Ensure full compliance with HACCP procedures, allergen controls, health and safety requirements and company policies.
- Maintain accurate records relating to food temperatures, cleaning, traceability, allergens and due diligence.
- Ensure the kitchen is maintained to a high standard of cleanliness, organisation and repair.
- Support audits, inspections and the implementation of corrective actions where required.
- Ensure all team members receive appropriate food safety and allergen training.
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About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- An experienced Head Chef or a strong Senior Sous Chef ready to progress.
- A confident and supportive leader who remains hands-on during preparation and service.
- Comfortable working across different food styles, service formats and volume levels.
- Experienced in menu development, recipe costing and kitchen financial management.
- Highly organised and capable of managing permanent venue operations alongside event production.
- Calm, adaptable and solutions-focused when working in fast-paced or unfamiliar environments.
- Passionate about food quality, consistency and genuine hospitality.
- Able to communicate effectively with chefs, front-of-house teams, senior managers, suppliers and clients.
- Excited by the opportunity to help shape kitchen systems and standards within a growing company.
- Comfortable with a role that will evolve as LSH secures new venues and event contracts.
Essential Requirements
- Previous experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or in a comparable senior kitchen role.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen management.
- Experience supervising and developing kitchen teams.
- Experience managing food costs, stock, ordering and waste.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends and public holidays when required by the business.
- Willingness and ability to travel to events and venues throughout the UK, sometimes including overnight stays.
- The right to work in the UK.
A full UK driving licence would be highly advantageous due to the location of the venue and the travel requirements of the position.
What Makes This Role Different
This is an opportunity to join Lyons Share Hospitality at an important stage in its development. You will have the chance to influence our menus, kitchen systems, supplier relationships and culinary standards as we expand our portfolio. The position combines the ownership and stability of a permanent venue with the variety and creativity of a nationwide events business. It is ideal for a chef who wants to build something, broaden their experience and grow alongside an ambitious hospitality company.
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