We're hiring a Head Chef to join our team! This is an exciting opportunity to lead the culinary vision at Bolney Wine Estate, creating exceptional food experiences that showcase the very best of English wine and local produce.
At Bolney Wine Estate, we're passionate about delivering outstanding hospitality. From our restaurant and café to our tours and events, food plays a vital role in creating memorable experiences for every guest. As our Head Chef, you'll lead a talented kitchen team, shape our menus, and help drive the continued growth of our hospitality offering.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead the culinary vision across our restaurant, café, tour experiences and events
- Design seasonal menus that showcase local produce and complement our award-winning wines
- Develop innovative dishes and food experiences that enhance our visitor offering
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing kitchen team
- Plan rotas and manage staffing to support business needs
- Ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, health & safety and legal compliance
- Manage kitchen budgets, food costs and labour costs to achieve agreed financial targets
- Oversee purchasing, ordering and stock management, minimising waste and maintaining product quality
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, with a focus on sourcing high-quality local ingredients
- Work collaboratively with the General Manager, Front of House, Events and Finance teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences
- Drive continuous improvement and identify opportunities to enhance sustainability across the kitchen operation
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience leading a professional kitchen in a high-quality hospitality environment
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Passion for creating exceptional food using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
- Excellent knowledge of food safety legislation, kitchen health & safety and compliance
- Commercial awareness with experience managing food costs, labour and budgets
- A collaborative approach and ability to work across multiple departments
- Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene qualification
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel to our rural location
- WSET qualification (or equivalent) and a passion for wine are desirable
- A proactive, positive attitude and commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences
What we offer:
- Competitive salary + tips + performance related bonus
- Generous staff discount
- Opportunities for training and development, including wine education
- Enhanced pension contributions
- 25 days' annual leave, plus your birthday off and the option to buy and sell leave
- Enhanced parental leave
- Income protection
- Life assurance
- EV salary sacrifice scheme
- Private health cover
- Employee assistance programme
We welcome applications from candidates who do not meet 100% of the requirements.
