Head Chef - Restaurant & Events Hotel in Taunton, South West

Head Chef – Restaurant & Events Hotel

Location: Taunton, Somerset
Salary: £45,000 – £50,000 base salary
Tronc: Yes on top
Relocation: Short-term hotel support may be available for someone relocating

We are looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a well-established, family-owned hotel and restaurant in the heart of Taunton.

This is a role with real scope.

The business has a strong local reputation, a loyal corporate following, busy weekend leisure trade, afternoon tea, events, weddings, birthdays, and five function spaces across two sites.

The restaurant is classic, with a mix of classic dishes, quality comfort food, and room to develop something more ambitious.

The hotel previously operated a fine dining restaurant, which closed in 2019. The long-term aim is to bring that side of the business back, starting with special fine dining evenings and building from there.

They need a Head Chef with spark, drive, and the ability to get the food offering back on its feet.

The Business

This is a busy hotel and restaurant operation with:

• 25–30 covers Monday to Thursday evenings from a strong corporate base
• Good leisure trade across the weekend
• Afternoon tea Wednesday to Saturday, with occasional Sunday bookings
• Weddings, corporate events, birthdays, and private dining
• Five function spaces across two sites
• Events ranging from 15–20 guests going up to 80–90 guests
• A family-owned culture with a hands-on senior team

There is history here too. some of the leading chefs in the UK culinary have worked in this kitchen, and the owners now want to rebuild its food reputation with the right Head Chef.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the kitchen and work closely with the Hotel Manager to move the food offering forward.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the day-to-day kitchen operation
• Developing the French-inspired restaurant menu
• Supporting afternoon tea, events, weddings, and private dining
• Bringing fresh ideas, structure, and consistency to the kitchen
• Building towards fine dining nights and future restaurant development
• Managing GP, stock, ordering, waste, and kitchen costs
• Training and developing the team
• Creating a positive, professional kitchen culture

The Ideal Head Chef

We are looking for someone who has:

• Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up
• A background in hotels, restaurants, quality pubs, or event-led operations
• Strong knowledge of fresh food and seasonal menu development
• Confidence across restaurant service, afternoon tea, and events
• Good commercial understanding
• The drive to rebuild and improve a food operation
• A calm leadership style
• The ambition to help bring fine dining back into the business

This would suit a chef who wants more than just another Head Chef job.

You will have the chance to shape the food, rebuild standards, and be part of the next chapter of a well-known family-owned hotel.

The Package

• £45,000 – £50,000 base salary
• Tronc on top
• Short-term hotel support may be available for relocation
• 3–4 days per week in the hotel may be possible short term while relocating
• Family-owned business
• Real scope to develop the restaurant and events food offering

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.