Head chef — TheQueen’s Head, Broad Chalke
Tucked into theChalke Valley on what was once part of the Earl of Pembroke’s estate, TheQueen’s Head is a pub with real character and history. Original flagstonefloors run through the building, and the inglenook fireplace remains at itsheart, roaring through the colder months.
A recentrefurbishment has added nine beautifully appointed bedrooms, elevating what wasalready a much-loved village pub into one of the valley’s standout places toeat, drink and stay.
We’re lookingfor a Head Chef who leads from the front, sets high standards, and bringstheir team with them. Our food ethos is shaped collaboratively by the kitchenteams across the group, so your role is to execute it brilliantly, service afterservice, while creating an environment where people can develop and do theirbest work.
The food ishearty, honest and rooted in the seasons: handmade pies, proper Sunday roastsand British produce sourced from trusted local suppliers. The craft is in theconsistency — delivering quality, every day, without compromise.
About Chickpea
We’re founder-ownedand seven years in. Today, we run ten pubs across the South West, butthe idea hasn’t changed much since day one. Great pubs are built bygreat people.
Ourplaces are a reflection of the teams who work in them. From thekitchen to the bar, we believe exceptional hospitality comes from people whogenuinely care about the industry and the guests in front of them.
We want everyguest to feel as though they’ve been welcomed into someone’s home.That means getting the small things right, paying attention to thedetail, and looking after people properly.
It’s a simpleidea, but it’s the thread that runs through everything we do.
Why Chickpea?
A respectful kitchen isnon-negotiable for us. We want people to enjoy coming to work, and that startswith how teams treat each other.
There are no split shifts.Overtime is paid. Uniform is provided and laundered. If you wantto progress, there’s a clear pathway and the support to helpyou get there.
We offer flexible workingpatterns that fit around your life, not the other way round.
Every penny of service charge isshared across the whole team — chefs,front-of-house and housekeeping included — with complete transparency throughyour own Grateful account.
If you work a six-hour shift,you eat from the menu. Away from work, you’ll enjoy 50% offfood at any of our pubs for you and up to five guests.
We close on Christmas Day.
Each year, we bring everyonetogether for the Annual Chickpea Awards Bash to celebrate the people whomake the business what it is.
On yourbirthday, you’ll receive a £100 voucher to spend at any of ourpubs. There are also monthly rewards and giveaways, including the chanceto win a night away at one of our places. We recognise longservice too.
Throughout the year, we organiseteam trips and away days, from visits to local suppliers to tripsabroad.
If you’re ambitiousand want to develop, we’ll build a training programme around you.Whether that’s WSET qualifications, apprenticeships, leadership development orbroadening your skills across the business, the opportunities are there forthose who want them.
We’re committed to helpingpeople build long and rewarding careers in hospitality.
And becauselife isn’t always straightforward, you’ll also have accessto confidential 24/7 support for your mental, physical andfinancial wellbeing. Whenever you need someone to talk to, help is there.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading, inspiring anddeveloping the kitchen team, creating a culture built on highstandards and mutual respect.
- Taking ownership of the day-to-dayrunning of the kitchen, including stock management, preparation,quality control and efficiency.
- Working alongside kitchen teams acrossthe group to deliver menus that reflect our shared food ethos.
- Ensuring every dish leaving the pass isconsistent, beautifully presented and full offlavour.
- Maintaining the highest standards ofhygiene, health and safety.
- Supporting the growth and development ofjunior chefs through coaching, training andmentoring.
Who We’re Looking For
- Proven experience as a Head Chef in aquality-led kitchen.
- A genuine passion for food and acommitment to delivering excellence, every service.
- A natural leader who canmotivate, support and develop a team.
- Someone organised, detail-focused andcomfortable taking ownership.
- A positive, energetic approach and theambition to help build something special.
At The Queens Head, we’re notlooking for someone to simply run a kitchen. We’re looking forsomeone who wants to build a team, shape a culture and be part of a growinggroup that believes hospitality is ultimately about people.
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