£50k + £10–12k TRONC
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Position: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive salary + structured progression + ownership pathway
About the restaurant
Pig & Whistle Restaurant is an independent owner-operated, multi award winning restaurant in north Chelmsford, set between Writtle and Broomfield and surrounded by open Essex countryside.
A 16th-century house, it has been lovingly transformed into an award-winning romantic restaurant with outdoor and indoor rooms, licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies. The venue is intimate and cosy, with a loyal local following and strong repeat trade.
Working together as a close team, we serve seasonal menus using locally sourced ingredients, balancing comfort, refinement and consistency rather than trends.
The opportunity
We are looking for a Head Chef who wants more than their next job. We're looking for the right chef to not only maintain, but to further our two rosette successes to the next level.
Over the coming years we intend to transition the restaurant to a long-term operator. For the right person this role can develop into genuine partnership and potential future business ownership, while the current owners retain their owned building.
You will be involved in decisions, not just instructed on them.
Your role
You will run the kitchen as if it were your own — because ultimately it could become exactly that.
Kitchen leadership
* Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and service
* Maintain consistent food standards and presentation
* Manage prep systems and service organisation
* Create a calm, controlled service environment
Menu & food development
* Design and evolve seasonal menus within the restaurant style
* Balance creativity with commercial awareness
* Understand our customers and cook for them, not trends
* Work collaboratively on pricing and margins
Team management
* Train and develop junior chefs
* Manage rotas and labour efficiency
* Maintain a positive, professional kitchen culture
* Recruit and retain staff
Business involvement
* Work with owners on GP, suppliers and menu costing
* Contribute to operational improvements
* Participate in long-term planning and growth
* Gradually take increasing operational responsibility
What we're looking for
This role suits a chef who:
* Has attained Two Rossette standard on their own or within a team.
* Wants stability but also a future
* Understands hospitality as a business, not just cooking
* Cares about regular customers and reputation
* Enjoys building systems rather than firefighting
* Is ready to step beyond Head Chef towards operator level
Rossette experience is not essential. Ownership mindset is.
Progression & ownership pathway
We are open to developing the right person beyond employment.
This can include:
* Transparent involvement in business performance
* Structured leadership development
* Opportunity to acquire shares in the trading business over time
* Potential future option to operate the restaurant independently and lease the premises
This is a genuine pathway, not a retention phrase.
What we offer
* Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
* Stable working environment
* Sensible service volumes
* Creative input and autonomy
* Long-term progression opportunity
* Real involvement in how the business runs
How to apply
Tell us about yourself and what you want from your next stage in hospitality — not just your CV. We're interested in mindset as much as background.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £60,000.00-£62,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Discounted or free food
* Employee discount
* Employee stock ownership plan
* Employee stock purchase plan
* Free parking
Work Location: In person