Head Chef – New Opening – Part of Established UK Restaurant Group
Location: Peterborough, UK
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits
Advertised by: Goldmills Recruitment on behalf of our client
Reports to: General Manager / Group Executive Chef
About the Opportunity
Our client is a well-established and rapidly growing restaurant group with multiple successful sites across the UK. They are now opening a brand-new, large-scale world buffet and live cooking concept in Peterborough and are seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen from pre-opening setup through to launch and daily operation.
This is an exciting chance to be part of a high-profile opening within a stable, expanding hospitality group that offers real long-term career development.
Role Overview
The Head Chef will oversee the full kitchen operation, ensuring strong leadership, consistent food quality, and efficient service across multiple global cuisine stations. You will be instrumental in recruiting and developing the brigade, implementing kitchen systems, and driving a positive kitchen culture.
Key Responsibilities
*
Lead, train, and develop a multi-skilled kitchen team
*
Oversee preparation, cooking, and presentation across several live cooking and buffet stations
*
Implement and maintain consistent dish specifications, portion control, and service standards
*
Manage supplier ordering, stock levels, deliveries, and inventory control
*
Ensure kitchen cost management including GP targets, labour planning, and waste reduction
*
Maintain all food hygiene, safety, COSHH, and HACCP standards to legal and company compliance
*
Work collaboratively with senior management during pre-opening and launch phases
*
Lead service with a calm, organised, and supportive approach
Experience & Skills Required
*
Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef in a high-volume kitchen.
(world buffet, hotel banqueting, multi-cuisine restaurant, cruise ship, or large-scale restaurant background highly advantageous)
*
Confident leadership with the ability to recruit, motivate, and develop kitchen teams
*
Solid understanding of kitchen financial systems (GP%, labour control, waste management)
*
Excellent food safety and hygiene knowledge (Level 3 minimum)
*
Adaptable, hands-on, and able to perform under pressure
What’s in It for You
*
Competitive salary + performance bonus
*
Opportunity to lead a brand-new opening with influence from the start
*
Career progression within a large, expanding UK restaurant group
*
Support and training from a wider experienced leadership team
*
Staff meals, uniform, and benefits package
Apply Now
This role is being exclusively managed by Goldmills Recruitment.
If you are a strong kitchen leader ready to take on a major new opening, we’d love to hear from you