Greene King
Head Chef
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Company Description
Lead the kitchen of a historic Georgian coaching inn in the heart of Kent
Steeped in history and set within the beautiful surroundings of the Garden of England, The Kings Arms, Westerham is a charming Georgian coaching inn that has been welcoming guests since 1700.
Located in the heart of this picturesque Kent market town, just moments from the historic Chartwell Manor, The Kings Arms combines traditional charm with modern hospitality. With elegant dining spaces, a cosy cellar bar that was once the old town jail, comfortable hotel bedrooms, and beautiful outdoor areas, we offer guests a truly memorable experience.
From relaxed meals and traditional pub dining to hotel stays, celebrations, and countryside escapes, our guests come to enjoy warm hospitality, quality food, and the character that makes The Kings Arms so special.
We’re now looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and continue creating the exceptional food experience our guests expect.
Job Description
The Role
As Head Chef, you’ll take ownership of the kitchen operation, leading the team to deliver fresh, seasonal food with consistency, care, and pride.
You’ll have the opportunity to shape the food offer of a much-loved country inn, creating menus that reflect the character of the venue while celebrating classic pub dining, quality ingredients, and modern touches.
Working closely with the General Manager and wider team, you’ll be responsible for driving standards, developing your chefs, and ensuring every guest enjoys an outstanding dining experience whether they’re joining us for a casual lunch, Sunday roast, special occasion, or hotel stay.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Qualifications
What you’ll be responsible for
- Leading and inspiring the kitchen team to deliver excellent food every day
- Creating a positive kitchen culture built on teamwork, pride, and high standards
- Developing menus that celebrate seasonal ingredients and classic British cooking
- Maintaining consistency across restaurant service, private events, and hotel dining
- Managing stock, ordering, food costs, and kitchen performance
- Ensuring excellent food safety, hygiene, and compliance standards
- Building strong relationships with the front-of-house and wider hotel teams
- Coaching and developing chefs to support their growth and progression
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for a Head Chef who understands the importance of both food and hospitality.
You’ll ideally have:
- Proven experience leading a fresh food kitchen
- A passion for seasonal ingredients and quality British cooking
- Strong leadership and people development skills
- Experience managing kitchen operations, stock, and food costs
- The ability to create consistent standards across every service
- A hands-on approach and pride in delivering great food
- The confidence to bring ideas and creativity to a well-loved venue
You’ll be someone who enjoys building relationships, creating a positive team environment, and taking ownership of the kitchen’s success.
What does success look like?
Success at The Kings Arms means creating a kitchen team that guests and colleagues are proud of.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
You’ll build a reputation for delivering exceptional food, developing your team, and ensuring every plate reflects the quality and character of this historic venue.
You’ll help make The Kings Arms a destination for locals, hotel guests, and visitors exploring Kent — a place remembered not just for its history and surroundings, but for its food and hospitality.
Additional Information
Why join The Kings Arms?
The Kings Arms offers a rare opportunity to lead a kitchen within a truly unique setting.
With centuries of history, a loyal local following, hotel guests throughout the year, and the beauty of the Kent countryside on the doorstep, this is a role where you can make a genuine impact.
You’ll have the freedom to bring your experience and creativity to a venue with personality, while being supported by a team that values great food, warm service, and memorable experiences.
What we offer
Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy:
- The opportunity to lead a historic and characterful kitchen
- Career development and progression opportunities
- The chance to create and influence menus
- A supportive team environment
- Working within a beautiful countryside location
- Employee discounts
- Pension contribution
If you’re a Head Chef who loves fresh food, enjoys leading people, and wants to be part of a venue with genuine character and heritage, we’d love to hear from you.
Salary for Advertising: £36,000 - £40,000 + Bonus
Dept. L4/House: Kings Arms (Westerham) - 06471
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills