Head Chef Designate
Milton Keynes
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 Head Chef Designate to join our high-energy kitchen team. You’ll support the Head Chef, run the kitchen in their absence and play a key role in delivering our fresh, authentic BBQ menu in one of the busiest restaurants in town.
What you’ll be doing:
1. Leading and developing a passionate kitchen team
2. Running shifts and maintaining top food and safety standards
3. Delivering consistent, brand-led BBQ in a fast-paced environment
4. Demonstrating a full understanding and control of all kitchen financials
About You:
5. Experience as a Senior Chef in a high-volume kitchen
6. Passion for food and pride in what you cook
7. Strong knowledge of kitchen financials and health and hygiene legislation
8. Positive attitude, strong team ethic and man management skills
9. Looking for stability, progression and a great work–life balance
Thank You’s & Benefits:
10. A generous Head Chef Designate package of up to £45,000 per year including Tip Jar!
11. £250k bespoke-built kitchen with USA-imported smokers
12. Award-winning training & clear progression opportunities
13. Free team food on shift & a birthday meal on us – Huge BBQ menu with endless possibilities!
14. Christmas Day off
15. Paid time off for life’s big moments (weddings, first day at school, moving into your first home & more)
16. 25% team discount across Hickory’s (Rising to 50% with loyal service)
17. 24/7 wellbeing support & a culture that truly values work–life balance
18. Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
19. Our pledge to a work-life balance – monitoring & managing through our Red
20. A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
21. Up to £1000 for you – through the refer a friend scheme
If that sounds good or does it leave you wanting to find out more? Click ‘apply’ now and you could be our next Head Chef Designate.
INDPCHEF