We are recruiting a Head Chef for an award-winning 2AA Rosette gastro pub in Oxfordshire, offering a fantastic opportunity for a talented and ambitious chef to lead a highly regarded kitchen with genuine creative freedom.
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and candidates must have the right to work in the UK without visa sponsorship. If you require Sponsorship please do not apply, thank you.
This beautiful country pub has established itself as one of the area’s leading food destinations, combining outstanding hospitality with ambitious seasonal cooking.
The kitchen is driven by seasonality and sustainability, with a substantial kitchen garden providing much of the produce used throughout the menus.
From house-made cordials and garnishes to carefully sourced ingredients from local suppliers, the focus is firmly on creating food and drink with real provenance and personality.
This is a kitchen where previous Head Chefs have been trusted to treat the operation as their own.
The owners are passionate supporters of great food and hospitality, providing guidance and investment while giving their chefs the freedom to develop menus, champion local produce, and put their own stamp on the business.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary package plus tronc and bonuses
- Genuine creative autonomy over menus
- Work with exceptional seasonal and home-grown produce
- Opportunity to lead an established 2AA Rosette kitchen
- Strong support from experienced ownership and senior management
- Career-defining opportunity within an award-winning gastro pub
As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, leading a brigade of five while maintaining and building upon the property’s excellent reputation.
The successful candidate will need to be equally comfortable delivering refined 2AA Rosette-standard cuisine and leading a busy service operation, with restaurant dining, private events, weddings, and Sunday lunches all forming important parts of the business.
This is not a role for someone looking to chase accolades for themselves; it is an opportunity for a chef who genuinely loves cooking, developing people, and creating memorable food experiences.
The ideal candidate will have a strong fresh food background and the ability to balance quality with volume.
The kitchen caters for everything from intimate dining experiences to busy weekend services and popular Sunday lunches of up to 160 covers, requiring a chef who can maintain exceptional standards while leading a fast-paced operation.
As Head Chef you will:
- Lead and inspire a talented kitchen brigade
- Develop seasonal menus showcasing the finest local produce
- Maintain and build upon the property’s 2AA Rosette standards
- Manage all aspects of kitchen operations, including GP, stock control, and labour management
- Work closely with suppliers and utilise produce from the kitchen garden
- Drive creativity and innovation across all food offerings
- Ensure consistency and excellence across restaurant, private dining, and event catering
- Train, mentor, and develop junior members of the brigade
This role would suit either an established Head Chef looking for greater creative freedom or an exceptional Sous Chef ready to take the next step and make their mark within a highly respected gastro pub.
You will be passionate, energetic, and ambitious, with the personality and leadership skills required to take an already successful operation to the next level.
This is a rare opportunity to inherit a strong reputation while having the freedom and support to shape the future direction of an award-winning kitchen.
Due to the number of applicants received, unfortunately we are unable to reply individually to each. Should your application be suitable for the role, then you’ll hear from us within 48 hours, thank you.
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