Head Prep Chef (Pitmaster)
Southport
Start the next chapter of your career at Hickory’s Smokehouse, proudly crowned Best Pub Employer 2025 at The Publican Awards. As the fastest-growing Southern-style Smokehouse group in the UK, we’re all about traditional American BBQ, strong teams and real progression.
We’re looking for a Pitmaster (Head Prep Chef) to lead our BBQ prep and smoking operation in our high-energy kitchen. This is a specialist role at the heart of our restaurants, responsible for delivering authentic, slow-smoked meats to brand standards while supporting and developing the wider kitchen team.
What you’ll be doing:
1. Leading and organising the BBQ prep and smoking processes
2. Managing and maintaining our authentic USA-imported smokers
3. Ensuring consistency, quality and timing across all smoked products
4. Supporting food safety, hygiene and kitchen standards
5. Working closely with the Head Chef and kitchen team to deliver exceptional BBQ
About You:
6. Experience as a Senior Chef in a high-volume kitchen
7. Passion for food and pride in what you cook
8. A knowledge of BBQ would be preferential but not essential.
9. Positive attitude and strong team ethic
10. Looking for stability, progression and a great work–life balance
Thank You’s & Benefits:
11. A generous Pitmaster package of up to £37,000 per year including Tip Jar!
12. £250k bespoke-built kitchen with USA-imported smokers
13. Award-winning training & clear progression opportunities
14. Free team food on shift & a birthday meal on us – Huge BBQ menu with endless possibilities!
15. Christmas Day off
16. Paid time off for life’s big moments (weddings, first day at school, moving into your first home & more)
17. 25% team discount across Hickory’s (Rising to 50% with loyal service)
18. 24/7 wellbeing support & a culture that truly values work–life balance
19. Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
20. Our pledge to a work-life balance – monitoring & managing through our Red
21. A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
22. Up to £1000 for you – through the refer a friend scheme