About Braybrooke Beer Co.
Braybrooke Beer Co. is dedicated to producing exceptional lager inspired by the great brewing traditions of Europe. Our Taproom showcases our beers alongside fresh, seasonal food that celebrates quality ingredients, simplicity, and hospitality. We are seeking an ambitious and experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen operation and help deliver an outstanding guest experience.
The Role
As Head Chef, you will have full ownership of the kitchen department while playing a key leadership role within the wider Braybrooke Beer Co. team. You will be expected to contribute actively to the culture, standards, and success of the business, working collaboratively across departments to deliver exceptional food, beer, and hospitality experiences. Alongside creating fresh, seasonally led menus, you will champion operational excellence, maintain impeccable standards of cleanliness and compliance, and act as a visible ambassador for the Braybrooke brand.
Key Responsibilities
Kitchen Leadership & Department Ownership
- Take full responsibility for the day-to-day management and performance of the kitchen operation.
- Lead, motivate, develop, and retain a high-performing kitchen team.
- Create a positive, professional, and collaborative working environment.
- Manage rotas, recruitment, training, and succession planning within the department.
- Ensure the kitchen, storage areas, service areas, and all external food preparation and waste management areas are maintained to exceptional standards of cleanliness, organisation, and presentation at all times.
· Ensure the kitchen is appropriately staffed at all times, both in terms of team numbers and competency levels, with suitably trained personnel scheduled to meet the operational demands of the business.
· Identify training and development needs within the team and ensure all employees are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to perform their roles effectively.
Menu Development
- Design and deliver fresh, seasonally led menus that align with the Braybrooke Beer Co. brand.
- Champion a from scratch-cooking ethos, ensuring dishes are prepared in-house using fresh ingredients wherever possible and avoiding the use of pre-prepared or ready-made products except where specifically approved.
- Source and showcase high-quality local and seasonal ingredients where possible.
- Regularly review menu performance and implement improvements based on guest feedback and commercial performance.
- Develop food offerings that complement and enhance the beer portfolio.
- Maintain consistency in quality, presentation, and execution across all menu items.
Compliance, Standards & Food Safety
- Ensure full compliance with all food safety legislation and Environmental Health Officer (EHO) requirements.
- Maintain exemplary standards of kitchen hygiene, cleanliness, organisation, and record keeping.
- Lead all HACCP procedures and ensure all food safety systems are consistently followed.
- Take ownership of housekeeping standards throughout the entire kitchen operation, ensuring all equipment, workspaces, stores, and surrounding operational areas are clean, safe, well-maintained, and inspection-ready at all times.
- Prepare the business for inspections and maintain standards capable of achieving top EHO ratings
Financial & Commercial Performance
- Manage kitchen budgets, stock control, purchasing, and labour costs.
- Achieve agreed KPI targets including:
- Gross profit margins
- Food cost percentage
- Labour cost targets
- Waste reduction
- Guest satisfaction scores
- Health and safety compliance metrics
- Monitor performance and implement action plans to improve results where required.
Brand Ambassador & Team Contribution
- Act as a passionate ambassador for Braybrooke Beer Co. and its products, both internally and externally.
- Be an engaged and active member of the wider Braybrooke Beer Co. team, contributing positively to the culture, success, and development of the business beyond the kitchen.
- Work collaboratively with brewing, operations, events, and front-of-house teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences and support wider company initiatives.
- Support brewery events, taproom activations, collaborations, and promotional activities that enhance the reputation of the Braybrooke brand.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, mutual respect, accountability, and continuous improvement across all departments.
- Ensure every aspect of the food offering reflects the quality, craftsmanship, and values of Braybrooke Beer Co.
About You
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a quality-led hospitality environment.
- Strong understanding of seasonal British cooking and ingredient-led menus.
- Demonstrable experience managing kitchen finances and achieving commercial targets.
- Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP, and EHO compliance requirements.
- Strong leadership, coaching, and people management skills.
- Passion for hospitality, craft beer, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
- Organised, proactive, and able to perform under pressure.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary.
- Opportunity to shape and develop a growing food operation.
- Staff discounts and company benefits.
- Ongoing training and development opportunities.
- The chance to play a key role in one of the UK's most exciting independent lager breweries.
Braybrooke Beer Co. is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Pay: £34,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
