Head Chef – Restaurant & Events Hotel
Location: Taunton, Somerset
Salary: £45,000 – £50,000 base salary
Tronc:Yes on top
Relocation: Short-term hotel support may be available for someone relocating
We are looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a well-established, family-owned hotel and restaurant in the heart of Taunton.
This is a role with real scope.
The business has a strong local reputation, a loyal corporate following, busy weekend leisure trade, afternoon tea, events, weddings, birthdays, and five function spaces across two sites.
The restaurant is classic, with a mix of classic dishes, quality comfort food, and room to develop something more ambitious.
The hotel previously operated a fine dining restaurant, which closed in 2019. The long-term aim is to bring that side of the business back, starting with special fine dining evenings and building from there.
They need a Head Chef with spark, drive, and the ability to get the food offering back on its feet.
The Business
This is a busy hotel and restaurant operation with:
1. 25–30 covers Monday to Thursday evenings from a strong corporate base
2. Good leisure trade across the weekend
3. Afternoon tea Wednesday to Saturday, with occasional Sunday bookings
4. Weddings, corporate events, birthdays, and private dining
5. Five function spaces across two sites
6. Events ranging from 15–20 guests going up to 80–90 guests
7. A family-owned culture with a hands-on senior team
There is history here too. some of the leading chefs in the UK culinary have worked in this kitchen, and the owners now want to rebuild its food reputation with the right Head Chef.
The Role
As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the kitchen and work closely with the Hotel Manager to move the food offering forward.
You will be responsible for:
8. Leading the day-to-day kitchen operation
9. Developing the French-inspired restaurant menu
10. Supporting afternoon tea, events, weddings, and private dining
11. Bringing fresh ideas, structure, and consistency to the kitchen
12. Building towards fine dining nights and future restaurant development
13. Managing GP, stock, ordering, waste, and kitchen costs
14. Training and developing the team
15. Creating a positive, professional kitchen culture
The Ideal Head Chef
We are looking for someone who has:
16. Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up
17. A background in hotels, restaurants, quality pubs, or event-led operations
18. Strong knowledge of fresh food and seasonal menu development
19. Confidence across restaurant service, afternoon tea, and events
20. Good commercial understanding
21. The drive to rebuild and improve a food operation
22. A calm leadership style
23. The ambition to help bring fine dining back into the business
This would suit a chef who wants more than just another Head Chef job.
You will have the chance to shape the food, rebuild standards, and be part of the next chapter of a well-known family-owned hotel.
The Package
24. £45,000 – £50,000 base salary
25. Tronc on top
26. Short-term hotel support may be available for relocation
27. 3–4 days per week in the hotel may be possible short term while relocating
28. Family-owned business
29. Real scope to develop the restaurant and events food offering