Head Chef

Head Chef

Quality Food-Led Country Pub

Hertfordshire

Salary: £45,000 to £48,000

Tips: Around £5,000 to £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.

The business is currently doing around £22,000 to £24,000 per week, with scope to grow towards £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 restaurantA background in fresh food kitchens with strong seasonal menusIdeally experience in a 1 AA Rosette, 2 AA Rosette, Bib Gourmand or quality-led pub environmentStrong team leadership and training skillsGood menu writing abilityA clear understanding of GP, labour, stock, ordering and kitchen standardsThe confidence to improve systems without losing the identity of the pubA genuine passion for British pub food done properly

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:

£45,000 to £48,000 basic salaryAround £5,000 to £6,000 per year in tipsBonus on top, based on performance targetsTemporary accommodation available if neededStrong platform to grow the food salesWell-known pub with a strong reputationOpportunity 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.