Head Chef, Premium Country Gastropub in Royal Tunbridge Wells, South East

Royal Tunbridge Wells

permanent, full-time

£40,000 - £45,000 per annum

UK working eligibility only.

Working in Royal Tunbridge Wells, South East

Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, is a commuter town and retail/leisure centre with professional services and healthcare; employers recruit for shop leadership, hospitality, customer operations, facilities, property and trades, care and education support, finance and administrative roles.

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 - Premium Country Gastropub - Tunbridge Wells 40-45k plus bonus

A hands-on Head Chef role leading a busy, from-scratch kitchen at a well-regarded country pub, with live-in available.

A well-regarded country gastropub near Tunbridge Wells is looking for a Head Chef to lead its kitchen. The pub has a strong local reputation for fresh, seasonal food and proper cooking, and trades busily all week, building to around 200 covers on a Saturday and 300 to 400 on a Sunday.

This Head Chef role suits a chef who leads from the pass, cooks from scratch and holds standards when it is busy. Live-in accommodation is available above the pub, making it a strong option for a Head Chef relocating to Kent.

The Head Chef role

Lead the kitchen and deliver a fresh, seasonal gastropub menu.
Cook from scratch, with stocks, sauces and jus made in house.
Run a brigade of around three chefs plus KP midweek, rising to five or six chefs at weekends.
Manage ordering, stock control, food costs and GP.
Keep standards consistent from prep through to high-volume Sunday service.
Lead food safety, hygiene and kitchen compliance.
Work closely with front of house to deliver a great guest experience.

About you

An experienced Head Chef, or an established Senior Sous Chef ready for a first Head Chef role.
A background in quality pubs, gastropubs or good fresh-food restaurants.
Passionate about seasonal produce and proper cooking techniques.
Calm, organised and in control during big services.
Confident with food costs, ordering and kitchen management.
A leader who trains and develops a team.

The package

40-45k basic salary, depending on experience.
Bonus on top.
Live-in accommodation available above the pub.
The chance to lead a busy Head Chef kitchen with an established reputation for quality food.

If you are a Head Chef with a strong fresh food background and want to lead a busy, quality-led pub kitchen in Kent, send your CV to stuartcampbell at COREcruitment dot com today.