Head Chef

PermanentNEW

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 │ 935255
Location │ New Forest
Role │ Head Chef

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