At Forage and Season Group, we prioritise a Wild, Seasonal, and Artisan approach, crafting unique experiences across our restaurant, cook school, and wedding venue offerings. Each event we host highlights our commitment to seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, artisan practices, and high-quality hospitality.
Nestled in the countryside, Blackthorpe Barn & House are our stunning historic wedding venues, blending rustic charm with modern amenities, providing the perfect backdrop for unforgettable celebrations large or intimate. Couples and guests can revel in the natural beauty, surrounded by the ancient timbers and splendid decor. Our events showcase bespoke catering and personalised details, creating a tailored experience for each couple.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
We're seeking a Restaurant Manager to lead the daily operations of our fine dining restaurant while supporting our wider events and cookery school activities throughout the year — especially during our busy summer wedding season.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a creative, quality-driven environment, has a passion for food and drink, and understands how to deliver outstanding guest experiences with warmth and precision.
Job Overview
We are seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented manager to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will possess a passion for creating memorable experiences and a strong background in guest services, hospitality, or event planning. As part of the F&B Management team, you will be responsible for helping coordinate all aspects of the restaurant and events, ensuring that every detail is executed flawlessly to meet the clients' vision, as well as overseeing our restaurant and private house bookings and events.
Duties
* Oversee the day-to-day running of our fine dining restaurant, ensuring exceptional service, smooth operations, and a welcoming atmosphere.
* Work closely with the culinary team to maintain high standards of food presentation, consistency, and service excellence.
* Support the coordination and delivery of private dining and wedding events, helping to ensure every detail runs seamlessly.
* Assist with cookery school scheduling, guest hospitality, and coordination.
* Manage and train front-of-house staff, fostering a culture of professionalism, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
* Contribute to marketing and social media activity, promoting restaurant experiences and special events.
* Handle bookings, guest communications, and customer feedback with care and attention to detail.
* Maintain a proactive approach to operational planning, cost control, and quality assurance.
Qualifications
* Proven experience in restaurant or hospitality management (fine dining or boutique venue experience is a plus).
* A passion for food, drink, and guest experience — with a natural eye for detail.
* Strong organisational skills and the ability to multitask across different parts of the business.
* Confident communicator with excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
* Flexible and calm under pressure — happy to adapt to seasonal schedules and event demands.
* Comfortable working evenings and weekends when required.
Why Join Us?
You'll be part of a small, passionate team dedicated to crafting memorable experiences through hospitality, flavour, and creativity. We offer the chance to grow within a supportive environment that values individuality, initiative, and genuine passion for artisan food culture.
If you're ready to take the next step in your hospitality career and help shape our restaurant and event experiences, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £27,040.00-£34,944.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Discounted or free food
* Employee discount
* Flexitime
* Free parking
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Bury St. Edmunds IP30 9HZ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
* What previous experience do you have that would benefit this role?
Experience:
* Restaurant, or Event Management: 2 years (preferred)
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Location:
* Bury St. Edmunds IP30 9HZ (preferred)
Work Location: In person