Head Chef – Pub Kitchen Management

About the role

The Jolly Fenman is a busy community pub in Sidcup looking for an experienced Kitchen Manager / Head Chef to lead the kitchen team. You will be responsible for delivering high‑quality pub classics, seasonal dishes and catering for buffets and wakes.

Key responsibilities

• Motivate, coach and develop a kitchen team, creating a positive working environment.
• Ensure every dish meets high standards of taste, presentation and consistency.
• Organise and deliver buffet food for wakes and other events.
• Plan prep and service schedules to handle peak periods and special bookings.
• Manage stock, ordering, waste, labour and food costs to support commercial performance.
• Maintain food safety, allergen management and kitchen compliance.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and front‑of‑house team to enhance the guest experience and grow food sales.

Required profile

• Previous experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef or senior kitchen role, preferably in a busy pub or restaurant.
• Hands‑on leadership style with the confidence to lead from the front.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to plan for busy services and buffet bookings.
• Commercial awareness of stock control, waste reduction and labour management.
• Sound understanding of food safety, allergens and kitchen compliance.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure, solve problems and motivate a team.

Required skills

• Food safety and allergen management knowledge.
• Stock control and ordering processes.
• Cost control and waste management.

What we offer

• Salary £37,000‑£41,000 plus bonus.
• Career development through training, apprenticeships and progression opportunities.
• Employee discounts on food, drink and Greene King Inns.
• Wellbeing support via an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Family‑friendly benefits and enhanced policies for life events.
• Financial wellbeing tools such as Wagestream.
• Retail discounts with partners like Superdrug and Three Mobile.