Chef

Live-In Chef — The Elks Head, Whitfield

On-site & live-in | Full-time | Rural Northumberland

Picture the road as it narrows and the hills close in around you. The light softens over the fields, woodsmoke drifts from a stone chimney, and there at the heart of it all stands The Elks Head — warm windows glowing, the hum of a full room, plates leaving the pass one after another.

This is where you could belong.

We are a family who took on this inn and have poured everything into it. In a short time, we've built a name people travel for — locals who treat this as their second home, and guests from across England and around the world who find their way to our door.

Now we want you beside us to help write the next chapter.

The Role

You'll work alongside our current kitchen team to bring our homemade gastro menu to life, day after day, plate after plate. This is hands-on cooking with real pride.

• Prepare and deliver fresh, homemade dishes that keep guests coming back
• Work closely with the team through busy services, staying calm and sharp when the room is full
• Help shape and develop the menu using quality, seasonal ingredients
• Uphold the standards of cleanliness, safety, and food hygiene that keep our kitchen running well
• Take genuine ownership of the food we send out, because your name is on every plate

What We Are Looking For

You know the heat of a real kitchen, and you thrive in it. You care about what you cook and the people you cook for.

Must-haves:

• Proven experience as a chef, comfortable running a busy service
• A strong grasp of fresh, homemade cooking and gastro-style menus
• Solid knowledge of food hygiene and kitchen safety
• Commitment to a live-in position, ready to make this rural setting your home
• A genuine desire to grow with us as the business grows

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience developing menus or introducing new dishes
• Familiarity with catering to a varied, international clientele
• Formal culinary training or relevant qualifications

What We Offer

We're building something that lasts, and we want you to build it with us.

• Live-in accommodation included, so you can settle into life here without the commute
• A supportive, family-run team that will have your back
• The chance to help shape our menu and leave your mark on our reputation
• Real room to grow — as we expand, so does your role
• A stunning rural setting where the pace of the countryside meets the buzz of a thriving kitchen

If you're ready to plant roots, cook food you're proud of, and grow alongside a family who genuinely love what they do, we'd love to hear from you.

Come and be part of The Elks Head.

Pay: £13.50-£18.50 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 35.0 per week

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person