Job Title: Chef – Commis to Sous | Grow Into Our Head Chef
Company: Unique Inns
Location: East Midlands Airport area | Castle Donington & surrounding villages
Job Type: Full-time | Permanent
Salary: Competitive + progression package
About Unique Inns
We're Unique Inns — an independent pub company based in the East Midlands Airport area, running two fantastic venues: The Castle Inn and The Falcon. Great food sits right at the heart of what we do. We're not a chain, we're not corporate — we're a small, ambitious team who care deeply about what comes out of the kitchen.
We're growing fast. Three new pubs planned over the next four years means we need to build our kitchen talent now — and we want that talent to grow with us all the way to the top.
The Opportunity
We're not advertising for a Head Chef.
We're advertising for the person who will become one.
Whether you're a Commis Chef ready to take your next step, a Chef de Partie looking for more responsibility, or a Sous Chef who's ready to lead — if you've got real passion for food and the drive to grow, we want to hear from you.
We'd rather invest in someone who loves what they do and wants to build something than hire a ready-made Head Chef who isn't bought into the journey.
Levels We're Considering
- Commis Chef — eager to learn, solid foundations, ready to be pushed
- Chef de Partie — owns their section, consistent, looking for the next challenge
- Sous Chef — natural leader in the kitchen, ready to step into more responsibility as we grow
We'll place you at the right level for where you are — and build a clear path from there.
What You'll Be Doing
- Cooking great pub food with quality ingredients and genuine care
- Working as part of a tight-knit kitchen team with a real family feel
- Developing your skills across all sections as you progress
- Contributing ideas — menus, specials, seasonality — your voice matters here
- Growing into leadership responsibilities as the business expands
- Ultimately, becoming the Head Chef of a Unique Inns venue as we open new sites
What We're Looking For
- A genuine love of food and cooking — that's non-negotiable
- Some professional kitchen experience at any level
- Someone who takes pride in consistency and quality
- A team player who communicates well under pressure
- Ambition — we want people who are going somewhere, not just filling a shift
- Pub or casual dining kitchen experience is a bonus, not a must
Why Unique Inns?
✔ A real route to Head Chef — not a vague promise, a genuine business plan that needs one ✔ Small kitchen, big impact — your contribution is seen and valued from day one ✔ Family business — owners who are present, a team who look out for each other ✔ Growing estate — three new pubs in four years means real opportunity to move up and move into new sites ✔ Creative input — as you grow, so does your say on the food
Not the Right Moment — But Interested?
Building a kitchen talent pipeline matters to us. If the timing isn't quite right but Unique Inns sounds like your kind of place, send us your CV with "Future Kitchen Roles" in the subject line and we'll keep you front of mind.
Apply Now
Send your CV and a short note about where you are in your career — and where you want to get to — to [email protected] or apply via Indeed.
We're not looking for perfection on paper. We're looking for the right person.
Unique Inns | East Midlands Airport Area | Growing Across the East Midlands
Job Type: Permanent
Pay: £28,159.17-£35,411.58 per year
Work Location: In person
