Head Chef - Fine Dining

Oxford | Premium Restaurant Group

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Head Chef to lead the kitchen within one of the UK's most highly regarded and rapidly growing premium restaurant groups. This is an outstanding opportunity for a passionate leader to take ownership of a quality-driven restaurant operation within a business renowned for its commitment to exceptional food, innovation, and investing heavily in its people.

Offering a highly competitive £62,150 basic salary, paid overtime, and a generous quarterly bonus scheme, this role provides a realistic earning potential of £70,000-£75,000+, alongside genuine long-term career opportunities within one of the industry's most exciting restaurant groups.

This is far more than just another Head Chef position. The business has built an exceptional reputation for promoting from within, making it the perfect opportunity for an ambitious chef looking to progress into Area Chef, Executive Chef, or senior operational leadership roles as the company continues its impressive expansion.

As Head Chef, you'll have the opportunity to shape the culture of your kitchen, lead and inspire a talented brigade, and deliver exceptional dining experiences using premium seasonal ingredients. You'll join a business that values strong leadership, creativity, commercial awareness, and operational excellence, while providing the autonomy and support needed to succeed.

As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring consistently exceptional standards of food quality, presentation, and service. You'll lead, motivate, and develop your brigade, creating a positive, engaging, and high-performing kitchen culture while maintaining the highest culinary standards.

You'll oversee every aspect of kitchen management, including recruitment, training, rotas, stock control, ordering, labour management, budgeting, and food safety compliance. Working closely with senior leadership, you'll drive kitchen performance, maximise profitability, and contribute towards menu development and innovation to ensure an outstanding guest experience.

You'll be joining a company that genuinely believes in developing talent from within, giving high-performing chefs every opportunity to progress quickly through the business.

• Previous experience as a Head Chef within a quality-led restaurant or premium hospitality environment
• Passionate about fresh food, seasonal produce, and delivering exceptional standards
• Comfortable leading a busy, high-volume kitchen
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail
• Commercially aware with a solid understanding of labour management, GP, and cost controls
• A positive and inspiring leader who enjoys mentoring and developing others
• A team player who thrives within an ambitious, quality-focused business

• £62,150 basic salary
• Paid overtime
• Quarterly bonus scheme
• Realistic OTE of £70,000-£75,000+
• Outstanding career progression within one of the UK's fastest-growing premium restaurant groups
• Structured training and leadership development programmes
• Opportunity to work alongside some of the industry's most respected chefs and operators
• Christmas Day and Boxing Day guaranteed off
• Annual salary reviews
• Opportunities to work across multiple sites and broaden your experience
• Wagestream access
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Hospitality reward and recognition schemes
• A supportive culture focused on development, recognition, and long-term career progression

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious Head Chef looking to join a business where success is recognised, progression is actively encouraged, and you'll have the opportunity to build a long-term career while earning an outstanding package within one of the UK's leading premium restaurant groups.

Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.