Head Chef / Kitchen Manager

About the role

The Darrington is a 28-bedroom hotel and food-led pub in the Yorkshire countryside, with food accounting for about 40% of sales and food service running until 8pm Sunday–Thursday and 9pm Friday and Saturday. The kitchen team is currently small, with a new Kitchen Team Leader joining soon, so the employer is looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager or Head Chef to take ownership, build the team and set strong standards.

Key responsibilities

• Take ownership of the kitchen and lead from the front, working closely with the Kitchen Team Leader and wider management.
• Build and develop the kitchen team through recruitment, training and coaching.
• Set clear expectations and maintain high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Ensure services run smoothly, efficiently and safely, and prepare the kitchen for busy services, weekends and key occasions.
• Manage stock takes, ordering, stock rotation and wastage, and monitor food GP and costs.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and health and safety standards.
• Help maximise opportunities across the hotel, pub, restaurant and events, and support the General Manager's food and commercial goals.

Required profile

• Proven experience managing a busy kitchen, ideally in a pub, hotel or similar food-led operation.
• Experience recruiting, training, coaching and developing kitchen colleagues.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergens, health and safety and kitchen compliance.
• Commercially aware and able to prioritise under pressure.
• Good communication skills and ability to work with the wider management team.

What we offer

• Salary of £31,000 - £35,000 plus bonus (advertised range £35,000 - £39,000).
• Career development, including apprenticeships.
• Employee discounts across Greene King brands, and enhanced family-friendly maternity and paternity policies.
• Employee assistance programme, refer-a-friend scheme and wagestream.