Head Chef – The Bird in Hand, Lovedean
£38,000 – £42,000 per year
We’re looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at The Bird in Hand, Lovedean.
This is a busy, food-led countryside pub delivering around £15,000 per week in food sales, and we need someone who can take ownership of the kitchen, develop the team, drive standards, and help shape the future of our food offer.
This role is about much more than running service. We’re looking for a leader who can build a strong kitchen culture, maintain exceptional standards, and deliver great food consistently.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Leading, motivating, and developing the kitchen team.
- Delivering consistently high food quality and presentation.
- Menu development, specials, and seasonal food ideas.
- Managing food GP, stock control, and ordering.
- Training and coaching chefs and kitchen team members.
- Maintaining excellent food safety and health & safety standards.
- Keeping the kitchen clean, organised, and inspection-ready.
- Building a positive, professional kitchen culture.
What We’re Looking For
- Previous Head Chef experience.
- A genuine leader who develops people and builds teams.
- Strong understanding of food safety, compliance, and kitchen management.
- Commercial awareness with experience managing food costs and labour.
- Passion for delivering great food and great guest experiences.
- Someone who takes pride in their kitchen and leads by example.
What You’ll Get
- £38,000 – £42,000 salary.
- Company pension.
- Staff discounts across Hampshire Pub Co venues.
- Genuine input into menu development.
- Opportunities to grow within an expanding hospitality business.
Pay: £38,000.00-£42,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
