Head Chef

Job Title: Head Chef

Salary: £40,000

Location: Penrith, Cumbria 

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Overview

The Flavour Network are partnering with an exciting independent hospitality business to recruit an experienced and passionate Head Chef.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a creative, commercially driven chef to lead the kitchen at a well-established restaurant-and-deli concept. The successful candidate for the Head Chef role will have genuine creative freedom to shape the menu, build and develop a high-performing kitchen team, and help establish the venue as a destination for exceptional food.

Working with high-quality, locally sourced produce, including whole-animal butchery and in-house dry ageing, you'll take ownership of every aspect of the kitchen operation, from menu development and food quality to financial performance, stock control, compliance, and team leadership.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Head Chef looking to make their mark in a business that values creativity, quality, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities for the Head Chef

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team, creating a positive and professional working culture
• Take ownership of menu development across: All-day dining || Sunday roasts || Retail deli products || Event menus including canapés, set menus and feasting menus
• Manage kitchen labour costs and staffing levels in line with business objectives
• Recruit, train and develop junior chefs and kitchen staff
• Conduct probation reviews and approve team holidays
• Ensure the kitchen is maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness, organisation and food safety
• Maintain HACCP documentation, fridge temperature records and cleaning schedules & Achieve and maintain a 5-Star Food Hygiene Rating
• Create recipe specifications and maintain accurate food costings
• Manage purchasing, stock control and supplier relationships
• Produce weekly purchasing reports and maintain inventory systems
• Lead the site's butchery and dry ageing programme
• Drive food quality, customer satisfaction and commercial performance
• Work alongside senior management to develop new food concepts and events
• Be comfortable representing the business through promotional and social media activity

Requirements for the Head Chef 

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or an experienced Senior Sous Chef ready for the next step
• Food Hygiene Level 3 qualification
• Essential butchery experience & Strong leadership and people management skills
• Experience creating and costing menus & are you okay?Excellent understanding of food GP, labour management and stock control
• Strong knowledge of HACCP and EHO requirements
• Commercially minded with the ability to drive sales and profitability
• Passion for producing high-quality food using fresh ingredients & Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Comfortable appearing in marketing and social media content

Working Hours

• Full-time, permanent position || Five-day working week
• Four days hands-on in the kitchen || One administrative day per week
• Sundays required during Autumn and Winter (unless on approved annual leave)

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave & Closed every Christmas Day
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Genuine creative freedom to shape the food offering & long-term career progression within a growing hospitality business

If you're a passionate Head Chef looking for the opportunity to build a kitchen, create exceptional menus, work with premium produce and make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.