Head ChefCafé Theatre at Redfields Garden Centre
Full Time | Competitive Salary | Daytime Hours | Work-Life Balance
Looking for a Head Chef role that gives you your evenings back?
Imagine leading a busy, successful kitchen where quality comes first, your team is valued, and you can still enjoy evenings with family and friends.
At Café Theatre, located within the beautiful Redfields Garden Centre, we're looking for an exceptional Head Chef to lead our thriving kitchen and continue delivering the outstanding food our customers return for time and time again.
This is more than a job. It's an opportunity to build something special with a respected independent business that believes great hospitality starts with great people.
Why chefs choose us
- Predominantly daytime shifts
- Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday off
- Excellent work-life balance
- Competitive salary
- Pension scheme
- Staff discount
- Meals on duty
- Opportunity to influence menus and seasonal specials
- Supportive owners who genuinely value their team
- Stable, year-round business
- No late-night restaurant finishes
About the Role
We're searching for a passionate, hands-on Head Chef who leads by example, inspires their team and never compromises on quality.
You'll take full ownership of the kitchen operation, ensuring every dish leaving the pass reflects the high standards our customers expect.
You'll be equally comfortable leading a busy lunch service, developing your team, managing food costs and ensuring every aspect of food safety and compliance is second to none.
Your Responsibilities
- Lead and motivate the kitchen brigade
- Deliver consistently exceptional fresh food
- Maintain outstanding presentation and portion control
- Develop seasonal menus and daily specials
- Control food costs and kitchen GP
- Manage ordering, stock control and supplier relationships
- Monitor wastage and maximise profitability
- Recruit, train and develop kitchen staff
- Produce rotas and manage labour effectively
- Maintain equipment and kitchen organisation
- Work closely with Front of House to deliver exceptional customer experiences
- Drive continuous improvement across the kitchen
Food Safety & Compliance
Food safety is non-negotiable.
You'll be responsible for ensuring complete compliance with:
- HACCP systems
- Food Hygiene Regulations
- Environmental Health standards
- Food allergen legislation
- Temperature monitoring and recording
- Cleaning schedules
- COSHH procedures
- Due diligence documentation
- FIFO stock rotation
- Safe food storage
- Kitchen health and safety
- Accurate record keeping
- Inspection readiness at all times
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or experienced Senior Sous Chef
- Fresh food background
- Strong leadership and team-building skills
- Excellent organisational abilities
- Commercial awareness
- Passion for quality food
- Outstanding attention to detail
- Calm under pressure
- Excellent communication skills
- Positive attitude and professional approach
- Strong understanding of HACCP and food safety legislation
- Food Hygiene qualification (Level 3 desirable)
The Person
You're someone who:
- Takes genuine pride in every plate
- Leads with passion, professionalism and integrity
- Inspires those around you
- Sets exceptionally high standards
- Is organised, diligent and reliable
- Believes every customer deserves an outstanding experience
- Wants to build and develop a successful team—not simply manage one
Why Join Café Theatre?
We have built our reputation on fresh food, consistency and warm, welcoming hospitality.
Our customers expect excellence—and so do we.
If you're looking for a Head Chef role where your talent is recognised, your ideas are welcomed and your work-life balance is respected, we'd love to hear from you.
This is a rare opportunity to join a successful independent business where your leadership can make a lasting impact.
Apply today!
Work Location: In person
