Head Chef - New Busy Gastro Pub in Tonbridge, South East

Tonbridge

permanent, full-time

£45,000 - £55,000 per annum

UK working eligibility only.

Working in Tonbridge, South East

Tonbridge, Kent, is a commuter and education town with a mix of retail, light industry, and professional services. The high street and business parks support roles in customer service, facilities, administration, trades, hospitality, care, and logistics.

About Hospitality & Catering

Hospitality plays a central role in the UK economy, covering hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism. Careers range from chefs and front-of-house staff to hotel managers and event planners. Employers include independent businesses, large hotel chains, and catering groups. Demand remains high for skilled professionals in customer service and food preparation. Hospitality offers variety, creativity, and people-focused roles, often with flexible working hours and opportunities worldwide. The sector continues to adapt, with sustainability, food innovation, and guest experience shaping future growth.

Head Chef – New Busy Gastro Pub

Location: Kent
Salary: up to 45k OTE 55,000
Role: Head Chef
Style: English gastro pub menu, breakfast and all-day dining

We are looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a newly opened, high-volume gastro pub in Kent.

The site has only been open for around three months and is already delivering around £30,000 per week in food sales. It is positioned on a busy high street and benefits from strong passing trade, regular local guests, and all-day dining.

The pub is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so this role needs a Head Chef who understands pace, structure, and consistency across different day parts.

The kitchen team is already in place, with around 11 chefs, so this is a great opportunity for someone who can step into a strong operation, build structure, and lead from the front.

The menu is English-led, with quality pub classics, seasonal specials, and dishes designed for volume without losing standards.

What you will be doing:

Leading a busy all-day gastro pub kitchen
Managing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and high-volume weekend services
Keeping standards consistent across a large kitchen team
Managing GP, labour, ordering, stock, and waste
Training, developing, and motivating around 11 chefs
Working closely with the General Manager and senior leadership team
Supporting menu development and operational improvements
Maintaining strong hygiene, health and safety, and compliance standards

What we are looking for:

Experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or strong Senior Sous Chef in a busy gastro pub, branded pub, or high-volume restaurant
Strong volume experience
Experience managing a good-sized kitchen team
Good understanding of breakfast and all-day dining
Commercial awareness around GP, labour, stock, and waste
A hands-on chef who brings structure and consistency
Someone calm, organised, and confident leading busy services

This is a brilliant opportunity for a Head Chef who wants to take on a newly opened gastro pub in Kent that is already trading strongly, with a good-sized kitchen team, strong weekly food sales, and room to keep growing the food offer.

Apply today or get in touch to find out more.

Voceer presents this job opportunity for COREcruitment, a 50 person sized company who are categorized as a Recruitment Agency.

This position is being managed by COREcruitment, a reputable recruitment agency known for placing candidates in desirable positions.

created 1 hour ago

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