Head Chef – The Grand Junction Arms, Tring
£50,000–£60,000 OTE
About us
At Craft Locals, we pride ourselves on our passion for hospitality, great beer and great food.
The Grand Junction Arms is a landmark canalside pub at Bulbourne, just outside Tring. With vast gardens, outdoor bars and a reputation for fresh, seasonal food, summers here are massive – and we’re reopening with a fresh start.
We’re looking for a dynamic, passionate and creative Head Chef who can lead from the front, inspire their team, and put their stamp on a busy fresh-food kitchen.
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What’s in it for you
* Base Salary: £50,000–£60,000 depending on experience
* Influence: Real input into menus, seasonal dishes, specials and events
* Perks: 50% off food & 20% off drinks across the group, 28 days holiday, staff discount, team socials, sharers
* Training & development: Supplier visits, brewery trips and regular food development opportunities
* Work/life balance: We believe in working to live, not living to work — we rota fairly and sustainably
* Autonomy: The freedom to run your kitchen properly, with head office support not interference
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What you’ll be doing
* Leading a fresh-food kitchen delivering consistent quality and standards
* Writing menus, creating seasonal specials and designing dishes for events
* Managing, motivating and training the kitchen team to reach their potential
* Driving GP, labour and compliance through strong financial management
* Building relationships with local suppliers and championing seasonal produce
* Running efficient kitchen operations with digital systems and best practice processes
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What we’re looking for
* Proven Head Chef experience in a high-volume, fresh-food pub or restaurant (not a first appointment)
* A creative chef with a passion for seasonal pub food and consistency under pressure
* A strong leader who can recruit, motivate and retain their team
* Commercial awareness — confident managing food margins, labour and compliance
* Organised, energetic and committed to delivering quality every service
* A great communicator who works closely with the GM and FOH team
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This is a rare opportunity to take charge of a flagship kitchen, shape the menus, and lead a talented team in one of Hertfordshire’s most exciting pub reopenings.
Apply today and make your mark at the Grand Junction Arms.