Cobbs Farm Co

Head Chef - Cobbs Farm Shops (Hungerford Flagship Site) £30,000 - £32,500 + Tips (circa £1 extra per hour) + Amazing Benefits Are you looking for a better work/life balance? Do you love cooking great food and working with like-minded people? We have a fantastic opportunity for you to join Cobbs Farm Shops as the Head Chef at our flagship site in Hungerford. Say goodbye to evening and split shifts! We are a busy café offering freshly cooked breakfast and lunch services, featuring a menu crafted from locally sourced, seasonal products. You'll lead our kitchen team in preparing and serving seasonal menus, specials, Sunday roasts, and hosting fun events like outdoor cinemas and music nights. At Cobbs Farm Shops, we strive to inspire and deliver the finest local and global products. Our passion for exceptional food, drink, and unparalleled customer service drives everything we do. Established in 2007, our group has flourished, now operating five farm shops, cafes, and kitchens. As we continue to expand, we remain dedicated to growing our presence with exciting new shop openings planned for the coming years. Although our kitchen is busy, it is well-organised, ensuring a great working environment. Your duties will include full kitchen management, stock ordering and rotation, stock takes, daily kitchen health and safety, weekly sales and purchase reports, and involvement in new menu ideas and specials. This role is perfect for a driven sous chef eager to advance their career within an employee-focused company or for a Head chef seeking a better work-life balance. Key Responsibilities: Kitchen Management: Oversee the entire kitchen operation, ensuring efficiency and organisation. Team Management: Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team. Culinary Standards: Maintain high culinary standards and ensure the quality of all dishes. Health and Safety: Ensure a safe and hygienic kitchen environment. Menu Development: Collaborate on new recipes and menu ideas, including specials. Working Hours: 5 days over 7 Hours: Up to 45 hours per week Required Skills: Leadership: Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate a team. Calm Under Pressure: Ability to stay calm and composed during busy periods. Culinary Expertise: First-rate culinary skills and a passion for cooking with fresh, local ingredients. Required Qualifications: Certificates: Health and safety and food hygiene certificates are beneficial. IT Skills: Basic IT skills are useful but not essential. Ideal Candidate: Passionate Cook: A love for cooking with fresh, local ingredients. Performer Under Pressure: Ability to perform well under pressure and motivate junior staff. Team Player: Strong leadership skills to inspire and manage your team. Cobbs Employee Benefits: Competitive Salary: We guarantee to pay above the National and Living Wage for all full-time employees and have regular pay reviews. Welcome Hamper: Enjoy a food hamper filled with goodies from our shop when you join us. Café Discounts: Receive a 50% discount on food and soft drinks in all our cafes, valid for you and up to three friends or family members. Shop Discount: Enjoy a 10% discount on all food purchases in our farm shop. Wine at Cost Price: Order wine from our suppliers at cost price, saving you over 30% on retail prices. Butchery Discount: Get a 20% discount on all meat purchases from our butchery. Training and Development: Access a fully accredited training and development plan, including supplier/producer training, visits, and tastings. Shared Tips: All café tips are shared equally among the team. Generous Holiday: Full-time staff receive 5.6 weeks of holiday per year. Loyalty Holiday Bonus: Earn an extra day's holiday for each year of service after four years. Paid Volunteering: Take paid time off for volunteering activities. Social Events: Enjoy regular team social events featuring exceptional food, drinks, and amazing coffee. If you're up for a challenge and want to work in a farm shop restaurant that uses the best produce and ingredients around, apply now, stating why we should employ you. Apply Today! Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: £30,000.00-£32,500.00 per year Benefits: Company events Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount Free parking On-site parking Store discount Experience: Chef: 5 years (required) Licence/Certification: Driving Licence (required) Work Location: In person