Head Chef (Indian Cuisine) | The Boat Inn, Wednesfield
Location: 29 Church Street, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 1SS
Employer: 13 Developments Ltd (trading as The Boat Inn)
Salary: £28000–£38,000 per annum depending on experience
Job type: Full-time, permanent
Hours: 40–45 hours per week, including evenings and weekends
Start date: 4-6 weeks
About Us
The Boat Inn is a soon to be relaunched two-floor pub and bar in the heart of Wednesfield, with bars and full kitchens across both the ground and first floors and a capacity of around 160 covers. We're building a destination known for warm hospitality, a vibrant atmosphere, and outstanding food with authentic Indian cuisine at the centre of our menu. This is a rare opportunity to shape a kitchen from the ground up and put your stamp on a growing venue.
The Role
We're looking for a talented and ambitious Head Chef with genuine expertise in Indian cuisine to lead our kitchen operation. You'll take full ownership of menu development, food quality, and kitchen management across both floors, delivering consistently excellent dishes that keep our guests coming back.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and refine an authentic Indian-led menu, balancing traditional dishes with broader pub favourites
- Oversee daily kitchen operations across both floors, ensuring consistency, quality, and timely service
- Manage food preparation, cooking, and presentation to the highest standards
- Control stock, ordering, and supplier relationships to manage costs and minimise waste
- Recruit, train, lead, and motivate kitchen staff, fostering a positive and disciplined team culture
- Maintain full compliance with food hygiene, health and safety, and allergen regulations (HACCP)
- Manage gross profit margins, portion control, and kitchen budgets
- Keep the kitchen clean, organised, and inspection-ready at all times
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior/Sous Chef ready to step up
- Demonstrable expertise in Indian cuisine spices, tandoor, curries, and authentic techniques
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to run a busy kitchen under pressure
- Solid understanding of food hygiene standards, HACCP, and allergen management
- Experience managing stock, ordering, and gross profit
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and busy periods
Desirable
- Level 3 Food Hygiene certificate (or willingness to obtain)
- Experience opening or relaunching a kitchen
- Knowledge of wider pub/bar food alongside Indian cuisine
- Familiarity with EPOS and kitchen management systems
What We Offer
- The chance to lead and shape a brand new kitchen from day one
- A supportive ownership team genuinely invested in your success
- Creative freedom over the menu
- Staff meals on shift
- Overtime and progression opportunities
- A friendly, energetic working environment in a growing venue
How to Apply
Apply now through Indeed with your CV and a short note on your experience with Indian cuisine. We'd love to hear what you'd bring to The Boat Inn.
13 Developments Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK
Pay: £28,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- What experience do you have working with Indian cuisine please give us details so we can get to know more about you.
Work Location: In person
