Head Chef – Stooks Café at Newbridge Nurseries Garden Centre
Location: Broadbridge Heath, West Sussex
Hours: Daytime only, no late nights
Salary: Starting from £38,000 per annum
Review: Salary to be reviewed and enhanced upon successful completion of probation and meeting agreed performance criteria
Lead with passion. Deliver with precision. Inspire through food.
Stooks Café, located within the beautiful Newbridge Nurseries Garden Centre, is seeking a visionary Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and drive culinary excellence across all aspects of the operation.
This is more than a job—it's a chance to lead a kitchen where fresh, seasonal food meets structured consistency. We're looking for a chef with flair, commercial awareness, and a deep respect for both creativity and control. Our offering is grounded in flavour, integrity, and customer satisfaction, underpinned by group specifications and operational guidelines.
Your Mission
Culinary Execution & Menu Development
* Deliver a high-quality, consistent menu using fresh, seasonal ingredients
* Execute dishes to the highest standards while adhering to established group specs and guidelines
* Maintain exceptional presentation, quality, and consistency across all plates
* Lead innovation within a framework, evolving menus while preserving operational clarity
Operational & Commercial Responsibility
* Achieve and maintain strong Gross Profit (GP) margins through effective cost management
* Control food purchasing, supplier relationships, stock levels, and waste reduction
* Ensure compliance with all food hygiene, health, and safety standards
* Contribute directly to the café's operational profitability, working closely with the management team
Leadership & Team Culture
* Lead, train, and inspire a committed, high-performing kitchen team
* Foster a positive and accountable working culture where excellence is the norm
* Communicate and collaborate closely with front-of-house and management to deliver seamless service
* Uphold and champion compliance with all operational procedures, recipe specs, and group policies
What We're Offering
* Starting salary of £38,000 per annum
* Daytime hours only – enjoy a true work-life balance with no late nights
* Guaranteed time off on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and Easter Sunday
* A pathway for progression – salary and benefits reviewed and enhanced following a successful probation period
* Creative environment with structure – the freedom to work with fresh produce, within clear operational frameworks
* Supportive, independent ownership with a respected reputation and a growing customer base
What We're Looking For
We're not looking for ordinary. We're looking for a Head Chef who combines creativity with control, passion with professionalism, and innovation with respect for established systems.
You will:
* Have experience in a Head Chef or senior leadership role within a high-volume, fresh food environment
* Be confident working within group specifications and guidelines while bringing fresh thinking to the table
* Demonstrate deep knowledge of GP, stock control, portioning, and cost management
* Be an inspiring leader who develops and maintains a culture of excellence, respect, and consistency
* Thrive on structure and quality while embracing opportunities to innovate and impress
This is a rare opportunity to lead an outstanding kitchen, make your mark, and grow with a business that values both people and product.
If you're ready to shape the future of one of West Sussex's most loved café destinations, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company events
* Company pension
* Employee discount
* Free parking
* On-site parking
* Private medical insurance
* Store discount
Work Location: In person