creative head chef

Job Description

We are seeking a creative, ambitious, and hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen at The Wheatsheaf, a beautifully refurbished country pub with rooms, soon to relaunch with big ambitions.

This is an exciting opportunity for a chef who thrives in a fast-paced environment, takes pride in mentoring and developing a team, and has a passion for seasonal, locally sourced food. Working closely with our Chef Director, you’ll help shape and deliver our food vision while putting your own stamp on the menus and driving the day-to-day running of the kitchen.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop the kitchen team, creating a supportive and high-performance culture
• Design and deliver seasonal menus that showcase local produce and reflect our food ethos
• Oversee daily kitchen operations including prep, service, stock control, ordering and team rotas
• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation and cleanliness at all times
• Manage food GP, waste and labour costs in line with business targets
• Work with the wider pub team to deliver events, specials and standout guest experiences
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene and health and safety regulations
• 45 hours per week (minimum)

What we’re looking for

• A confident and capable Head Chef or a strong Sous Chef ready to step up
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to develop and motivate a team
• Experience running a fresh food kitchen and managing all aspects of back-of-house operations
• A calm and solutions-focused approach under pressure
• A genuine passion for local and seasonal ingredients and pub dining done well
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and public holidays as required