Head Chef

Head Chef – Leytonstone Tavern

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to join the team at Leytonstone Tavern, part of a small independent pub group in East London.

Leytonstone Tavern is a busy neighbourhood pub with a strong focus on good, honest food. Our kitchen is all about cooking from scratch, using good-quality ingredients and keeping things fresh and seasonal.

Our menu includes our popular burgers, tacos, Sunday roasts and seasonal specials, alongside food for our busy pub trade and events.

We also host a wide range of events, both at the Tavern and externally, including weddings, birthdays, festivals, F1 events and food & drink events. This means there is plenty of variety and opportunities to get involved beyond the day-to-day kitchen operation.

The Role

As Head Chef, you’ll be responsible for running the kitchen on a day-to-day basis and leading the kitchen team.

You’ll work closely with the owners and our Executive Chef, helping to maintain standards while also having the opportunity to contribute ideas and develop the food offering.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Running the kitchen and leading service.
• Managing, training and developing the kitchen team.
• Preparing and cooking food to a consistently high standard.
• Ensuring dishes are prepared from scratch and to the required specification.
• Managing prep and ensuring the kitchen is ready for service.
• Ordering stock and managing stock levels.
• Controlling food costs and minimising waste.
• Maintaining high standards of food hygiene and HACCP.
• Ensuring the kitchen is clean, organised and safe.
• Supporting menu development and seasonal specials.
• Working closely with the owners and Executive Chef.
• Helping with events and external catering when required.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or in a senior kitchen position.
• Strong cooking and food preparation skills.
• Experience leading and managing a kitchen team.
• Experience working in a busy pub, restaurant or similar environment.
• Good knowledge of food safety and HACCP.
• Good organisation and communication skills.
• The ability to work calmly and efficiently during busy services.
• A genuine passion for cooking good food from scratch.
• A positive attitude and willingness to get stuck in.

This is a hands-on role, so we’re looking for someone who enjoys being in the kitchen, leading from the front and working as part of a team.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, negotiable depending on experience
• Tronc
• Free meal on duty
• Food and drink discounts across all our sites
• Pension
• Staff events and socials
• Opportunities to work on events and external catering
• Career progression within a growing independent pub group
• The opportunity to work closely with our Executive Chef and senior kitchen team

Average working week: 45–48 hours

Self-employed invoicing option available.

If you’re an experienced chef looking for your next step and want to be part of a growing independent pub group, we’d love to hear from you.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount

Experience:

• Chef: 5 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Food Hygiene Certificate (preferred)

Work Location: In person