1. Position: Head Chef
2. Salary: £45000-£60000 per year – plus excellent benefits and share of tips (approx £7000 annually)
3. Location: Plumpton Green, East Sussex
4. Hours: 48 per week plus paid overtime
We are delighted to be partnered with our client, a much loved, food led country pub set in the heart of the South Downs country park. They are well known for their superb levels of hospitality, warm atmosphere and menus that follow the seasons of the year.
We are very excited to be representing our client as they seek to recruit an experienced, creative and commercially minded Head Chef to lead their kitchen team, shape menus and continue to drive the venue forward, whilst maintaining their very impressive reputation.
Head Chef
Full time permanent role – 48 hours per week
Salary: £45,000 – £60,000 per year (DOE)
Bonus: Performance-based (GP%, Wage %, Guest Reviews)
Equity: Opportunity to gain equity within the business after 1 year
Location – Lewes area – Due to rural workplace location, it is essential to drive and have your own transport.
My client serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, along with amazing Sunday roasts. They also run a popular calendar of events including Wine Club master-classes, live music nights, and 10-15 weddings per year, along with occasional private dining events.
They are a countryside dining pub with a strong reputation for quality, creativity, and proper hospitality
The role
You’ll be the creative and operational force behind a high-performing kitchen, serving a 90-cover dining room with an additional 100 patio and garden seats at peak times — designing elegant, produce led dishes that reflect the Sussex seasons, while managing the team, systems, and margins that make it all run smoothly.
Key Responsibilities:
Menu Development – Create and deliver refined, seasonal menus for breakfast, à la carte dining, Sunday roasts and private events.
Team Leadership – Recruit, train, and inspire a skilled brigade of 5-8 chefs plus KPs, nurturing a calm, collaborative kitchen culture.
Operational Management – Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including food safety (5 hygiene rating), GP, stock, waste, and wage control.
Procurement & Suppliers – Collaborate with the procurement manager while building and maintaining strong links with local suppliers.
Senior Team Collaboration –Be an active voice in the leadership team, helping shape wider strategy and customer experience.
Experience, skills and competencies required:
Minimum 5 years as Head Chef or Senior Sous in a respected restaurant or food led pub
Proven ability to run a busy kitchen, develop teams, and manage costs
Strong leadership style — calm, coaching-focused, and collaborative
A love of local, seasonal produce and a flair for elegant, ingredient-led cooking
Solid knowledge of allergens, food safety, and compliance (Level 3 Food Safety preferred)
What’s on offer?
£45,000 – £60,000 salary, depending on experience
48-hour contract with paid overtime available
Performance bonus tied to gross profit, wage cost, and customer satisfaction reviews
Equity opportunity – potential to earn a stake in the business after your first year
Tronc share (~£7k annually)
28 days paid holiday pension meals on shift
£50/month wellness allowance (gym, physio, massage etc.)
Subsidised chef whites and knives
Cost price takeaway wines
Paid supplier visits and a training budget for stages, courses, and chef development
Creative freedom to shape menus and kitchen culture
A supportive, collaborative team including support from a procurement manager and an events manager
For more information regarding this new and exciting Head Chef opportunity, please apply now! Short-listing will take place soon – don’t miss out!
Wild Recruitment Ltd T/A First Recruitment Services is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person’s gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the job