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Head Chef
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Quality Food-Led Country Pub
Hertfordshire
Salary: A GBP 45,000 to A GBP 48,000
Tips: Around A GBP 5,000 to A GBP 6,000 per year
Bonus: 10 to 15% based on targets
Accommodation: Temporary accommodation available if needed
We are working with a beautiful food-led country pub in Hertfordshire that is looking for a strong Head Chef to lead the kitchen and help move the business forward.
This is a 2 AA Rosette pub operation with a strong local following, rooms, and a well-established reputation for seasonal, produce-led pub food. The food is not fine dining, but standards matter. The offer needs to resonate with proper pub cooking, done with care, consistency, and imagination.
The heart of the menu needs to stay strong.
- A Sunday roast that people come back for.
- Seasonal specials that show personality.
- Menus that feel fresh, well-written, and commercially sensible.
This is a brilliant role for a Head Chef who understands what makes a great pub kitchen work.
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The business is currently doing around A GBP 22,000 to A GBP 24,000 per week, with scope to grow towards A GBP 30,000 per week. Sundays are already a major part of the offer, with around 200 covers for roast service.
The right person will bring structure, confidence, and energy.
- You will need to be hands-on, calm under pressure, and comfortable leading from the front.
- This role is not about overcomplicating the food. It is about delivering great pub dishes with consistency, training the team properly, and building a kitchen culture that can grow.
The Ideal Head Chef Will Have
- Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef in a quality pub, gastro pub, or relaxed restaurant
- A background in fresh food kitchens with strong seasonal menus
- Ideally, experience in a 1 AA Rosette, 2 AA Rosette, Bib Gourmand, or quality-led pub environment
- Strong team leadership and training skills
- Good menu writing ability
- A clear understanding of GP, labor, stock, ordering, and kitchen standards
- The confidence to improve systems without losing the identity of the pub
- A genuine passion for British pub food done properly
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This would suit someone from a quality independent gastro pub, a premium pub group, or a relaxed food-led restaurant where standards matter but the atmosphere stays warm and accessible.
The Package
- A GBP 45,000 to A GBP 48,000 basic salary
- Around A GBP 5,000 to A GBP 6,000 per year in tips
- Bonus on top, based on performance targets
- Temporary accommodation available if needed
- Strong platform to grow the food sales
- Well-known pub with a strong reputation
- Opportunity to put your stamp on the menu and kitchen culture
This is a great opportunity for a Head Chef who wants ownership, creativity, and the chance to lead a proper pub kitchen with genuine room to grow.
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