Head Chef

Head Chef – Grapevine Restaurant, Southport

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Southport
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

About the Role

Grapevine is an established independent restaurant in Southport, and we are looking for an experienced and motivated Head Chef to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of our kitchen.

This is a hands-on position suited to someone who enjoys working in a busy independent restaurant and wants genuine responsibility for their kitchen.

You will be expected to lead from the front during service while also taking ownership of staffing, food quality, kitchen organisation, ordering, suppliers and cost control.

We are looking for someone reliable, organised and professional who can build a strong kitchen team and work closely with the restaurant owner and front-of-house management.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen
• Lead and manage the kitchen team, including chefs and kitchen porters
• Work hands-on during preparation and service
• Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and portion control
• Organise kitchen rotas and ensure staffing levels are appropriate for expected trade
• Manage kitchen labour costs and make efficient staffing decisions
• Monitor food costs, wastage and gross profit
• Manage stock levels, ordering and stock rotation
• Work directly with suppliers, reviewing prices and sourcing products where appropriate
• Negotiate and monitor supplier pricing to ensure the restaurant receives good value
• Maintain appropriate stock levels without unnecessary over-ordering or waste
• Help develop and improve dishes and menus
• Ensure recipes, portions and presentation remain consistent
• Maintain excellent kitchen cleanliness and organisation
• Ensure all food hygiene, allergen and health & safety procedures are followed
• Maintain appropriate food safety records and kitchen documentation
• Train, develop and support members of the kitchen team
• Deal professionally with performance or staffing issues within the kitchen
• Communicate effectively with the front-of-house team and management
• Help create a positive, professional working environment across the restaurant
• Take ownership of problems and provide practical solutions rather than allowing issues to continue

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will ideally have previous experience as a Head Chef, Senior Sous Chef or experienced Sous Chef ready to step up.

You should be:

• A strong and confident chef
• Comfortable leading a small kitchen team
• Reliable and well organised
• Calm and professional during busy services
• Commercially aware and conscious of food and labour costs
• Confident dealing with suppliers and ordering
• Able to manage stock and minimise waste
• Able to plan staffing effectively
• Knowledgeable about food hygiene and allergen requirements
• Comfortable taking responsibility and making decisions
• A good communicator who can work effectively with both kitchen and front-of-house staff

What We Offer

• A senior role within an established independent restaurant
• The opportunity to take genuine ownership of the kitchen
• Input into menus and the future direction of the food offering
• A supportive owner who is actively involved in the business
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Permanent full-time position
• Opportunity to build and develop your own kitchen team

We are looking for someone who wants to become an important long-term part of the business and help us continue to improve the restaurant.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a brief summary of your current role and relevant experience.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £16.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 – 45.0 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Chef: 1 year (required)

Location:

• Southport, Merseyside (preferred)

Work Location: In person