Head Chef – High-Volume Independent Pub

East London | £75,000 + Opportunity to Grow

We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen at one of East London’s busiest independent pubs.

This is a serious high-volume operation, serving 200–300+ covers on a busy weekend day. We’re looking for someone who is comfortable operating at this level and knows how to deliver great food consistently when the pressure is on.

The business is independently owned and has recently opened a new location, with further growth planned. This is a great opportunity for a Head Chef who wants real ownership of the kitchen, including menu development, team leadership and the wider food operation.

The Role

You’ll take full responsibility for the kitchen operation, leading a sizeable team and ensuring the kitchen delivers consistently across busy services, events and private functions.

A key part of the role will be developing the food offering. You’ll have the opportunity to create and evolve menus that work commercially while maintaining the quality and fresh-food focus the business is known for.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading, developing and motivating a large kitchen team
• Managing 200–300+ covers on busy weekend days
• Running a high-volume, fresh food operation
• Taking ownership of menu development and the evolution of the food offering
• Creating seasonal menus and specials
• Developing dishes that balance quality, creativity and commerciality
• Maintaining food quality and consistency during peak service
• Managing GP, food costs and labour
• Ordering, stock control and supplier relationships
• Kitchen systems, organisation and food safety
• Recruitment, training and development of the team
• Working closely with the wider management team
• Planning and delivering large-scale events
• Supporting weddings, private functions and other events
• Helping shape the food operation as the business continues to grow

What We’re Looking For

This role will suit a Head Chef who has genuinely worked in a busy, high-volume environment and is looking for a role with significant ownership.

You’ll ideally have:

• Proven Head Chef experience within a busy pub, restaurant or similar operation
• Experience managing 200+ covers in a day
• Strong experience with fresh food and a quality-led menu
• Proven experience developing and evolving menus
• A good understanding of food trends, seasonality and commercial menu development
• The ability to lead a sizeable kitchen team
• Strong commercial understanding, including GP, labour and stock control
• The ability to remain organised and calm during very busy services
• Excellent standards around food quality, consistency and presentation
• Strong recruitment, training and people management skills
• Experience managing large events, weddings and private functions would be highly desirable

The Opportunity

This is an independent business with plenty of ambition.

They have recently opened a new location and are continuing to grow, so there is genuine scope for the right person to develop their role and progress within the business.

You’ll have a real voice in the food operation and the opportunity to put your own stamp on the menu as the business develops.

£75,000 salary, with genuine opportunity to grow as the business expands.

If you’re a Head Chef who enjoys high-volume pubs, fresh food, menu development, big teams and busy events, this is a role worth talking about.