Head Chef
Luxury Country Pub with Rooms | Cotswolds Area
Salary Package: £48,000–£52,000+
(Base £40,000–£42,000 + significant tronc)
An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen of a well-established, quality-led country pub with rooms in the Cotswolds.
This is a hands-on role within a respected, owner-led operation known for its commitment to fresh, seasonal cooking using high-quality local produce. The kitchen focuses on proper pub cooking done well — classical technique, whole-animal butchery, game, and simple, confident menus driven by the seasons.
The previous Head Chef held the role for over three years, highlighting the stability and long-term nature of this opportunity.
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The Role
Leading a medium-sized fresh-food kitchen, you will take responsibility for maintaining standards, leading the small brigade, and delivering consistent, well-executed food across service.
You will:
* Lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen
* Deliver a seasonally driven pub menu using locally sourced produce
* Manage a small brigade and maintain a positive, professional kitchen culture
* Ensure strong organisation across prep, ordering, stock control and GP
* Maintain high food safety and operational standards
* Work closely with ownership on menu planning and development
* Run a calm, efficient service with a focus on quality and consistency
The kitchen structure is typically a small brigade depending on business levels, making this a role suited to a chef comfortable running a well-organised, medium-sized operation.
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The Package
* £40,000–£42,000 base salary
* Significant tronc typically £8,000–£10,000+
* Total earning potential £48,000–£52,000+
* 4-day working week
* Christmas Day off
* Live-in accommodation available (charged monthly)
* Staff discount throughout the wider group
* Stable, long-term role within an owner-led business
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The Ideal Candidate
* Current Head Chef or experienced Sous Chef ready to step up
* Strong background in fresh-food gastro pubs or rosette-level kitchens
* Confident running a medium-sized kitchen and leading a small brigade
* Solid grounding in classical cooking techniques
* Comfortable working with seasonal and local produce
* Organised, calm and reliable in service
* Looking for a long-term role within a stable operation
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Why This Role Stands Out
* Owner-led kitchen with clear direction and realistic expectations
* A quality-focused kitchen rather than high-volume production cooking
* Strong earnings with an established tronc structure
* A genuinely sustainable rota with a 4-day working week
* Opportunity to run a respected Cotswolds pub kitchen with creative input
If you are an experienced chef looking for a Head Chef role combining strong earnings, high standards and genuine work–life balance, this is a fantastic opportunity.
Apply with your CV or get in touch for a confidential discussion.