Head Chef

Head Chef - £30,000-£35,000 + Annualised Contract with most winters off

Lead a dynamic kitchen team in the New Forest while enjoying an excellent work-life balance.

We're recruiting a passionate Head Chef to join a popular hospitality venue in the New Forest. This is a fantastic opportunity for a chef who enjoys leading a team in a relaxed café bar kitchen while maintaining high standards of food quality. With an annualised contract and a quieter winter season, this role offers the perfect balance between a rewarding kitchen career and valuable downtime.

Why apply / What's in it for you?

You'll enjoy a supportive environment and benefits designed to support both your career and wellbeing:

• Annualised contract - with most of the winter off paid or on significantly reduced hours
• Competitive salary of £30,000-£35,000
• Your birthday off each year
• Paid volunteering leave
• Mental health support
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance cover

Key Responsibilities

As Head Chef in the New Forest, you'll take ownership of the kitchen and ensure a consistently high standard of food and service.

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team to deliver high-quality dishes
• Oversee menu development, balancing creativity, customer demand and cost control
• Manage stock levels, place orders and minimise wastage
• Ensure food safety and hygiene standards are maintained at all times
• Train and mentor junior chefs and kitchen team members
• Work closely with the front-of-house team to deliver a seamless dining experience
• Collaborate with the wider team to ensure guests have a great overall experience

What we're looking for

To succeed as Head Chef in the New Forest, you'll be a confident leader who thrives in a busy café bar kitchen environment.

• Previous experience as a Sous Chef in a medium to large kitchen or as a Head Chef in a similar venue
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to operate as a Kitchen Manager within the kitchen
• A creative approach to menu planning and food presentation
• Excellent knowledge of food safety and hygiene regulations
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• The ability to work under pressure while maintaining high standards
• Ideally based Commutable from Southampton

If you're looking for your next step as a Head Chef in the New Forest, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now to find out more.

Job Number 935255Location New ForestRole Head Chef

Platinum Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.