Head Chef

Job Description The Drawing BoardIs looking for aHead Chefto join the team.Can someone find me a sharp, creative, inspirational, switched-on, food-obsessed, standards-driven, organised kitchen leader please?!! And for the love of God, let them have a sense of humour, keep a calm head, and not lose their mind when the tickets start flying. Oh and dont let them be a complete tool, thats worth saying.For the award-winning DB its year 12 (which feels both impressive and mildly concerning) and were looking for someone to take proper ownership of the kitchen. Not a clipboard chef. Not a shouty tyrant. An actual leader.Were amassing a small independent army to (really) slowly take over the Midlands (obviously).Right, reality check.Hospitality hasnt exactly had an easy ride lately costs up, footfall all over the place, everyone a bit knackered but were still here, still busy, and still pushing to be better.So this role matters. Like really matters.What youll actually be doingYoull be running the kitchen. Properly.Leading service from the front (not hiding in the office)Keeping food consistent, tight and worth paying forOrganising the team so prep is done and service isnt chaosWriting menus, changing them seasonally, keeping things interestingManaging GP, stock, suppliers and all the boring-but-important bitsSorting rotas and keeping wage spend sensibleKeeping EHO happy (and us open)Training the team so they dont hate their livesYoull work closely with the GM and me decisions get made quickly here, not buried in head office emails.What were looking forA Head Chef, or a very solid Sous ready to step upSomeone calm under pressure (no kitchen screamers please)Someone who understands both foodandnumbersA proper team builder not someone running their own little empireSomeone who takes pride in standards, cleanliness and organisationFresh food experience is absolutely essentialAlso and this is important personality.If youre hard work in the wrong way, this wont work.If youre hard work in therightway, youll thrive.The kitchen cultureNo shouting for the sake of it.No chaos as a management strategy.No egos (or dicks) swinging about.We run a tight, respectful kitchen where people are expected to pull their weight and help each other out.If you fix problems early, youll fit right in.If you create them less so.The business bitThe Drawing Board has been going since 2015.Were independent, which means:Suppliers get paidSystems actually exist but need updatingFOH and kitchen talk to each otherThe owner is around (hello)Decisions happen fastWere not corporate but we are properly run.What youll getA cracking salary (based on experience)TroncA stable, established businessActual input into menus and directionA team that gives a shit.Were also realistic about hours and life outside the kitchen we want this to work long term.If this sounds like your cup of tea / pint / bacon sarnie - get in touch.Send your CV and a bit of a nattery cover letter to:[email protected]

Created: 2026-04-17