Head Chef

Flagship Restaurant | Greater Manchester £50,000-£64,000 Package + Benefits

Some Head Chef roles are about stepping away from the kitchen.

This one absolutely isn't.

We're recruiting for a genuinely hands-on Head Chef opportunity within one of Greater Manchester's busiest and most respected independent restaurants, a high-volume, owner-led business with serious standards, strong reputation and a loyal customer following built over many years.

This is a role for a chef who still genuinely enjoys being on the pass, leading service from the front, developing chefs and taking pride in running a high-performing kitchen every day.

The business delivers approximately £55,000 net sales per week, including £35,000-£40,000 net food sales, with weekends regularly exceeding 400 covers across busy services, celebrations and events. Despite the volume, quality, consistency and atmosphere remain at the heart of the operation.

The owners are passionate, entrepreneurial and highly invested in the business. They are looking for a Head Chef who understands independent hospitality, thrives within a fast-paced environment and wants to be fully involved in the day-to-day running of the kitchen – not somebody looking to step away into a purely operational or strategic role.

The Kitchen

You'll inherit a strong and established brigade structure including:

• 3 Junior Sous Chefs
• Senior Prep & Development Chef
• Junior Prep Chef
• 6 CDPs across all sections
• Kitchen Porters

The kitchen itself is extremely well equipped, including a separate prep kitchen, with ongoing investment available where new ideas, efficiencies or sales opportunities can be identified.

What We're Looking For

We're keen to speak with strong culinary professionals who:

• Lead from the front and are comfortable running a busy pass
• Still enjoy cooking, service and being present within the kitchen team
• Build strong brigade culture through standards, respect and energy
• Understand how to balance quality with commercial performance
• Thrive in fast-paced independent hospitality environments
• Bring a genuine "can do" mentality to both leadership and service
• Enjoy developing people and creating consistency across large-volume operations
• Understand kitchen labour, stock control and food GP management
• Are commercially aware without becoming overly corporate

This role is likely to suit an award winning restaurant Head Chef, strong Senior Sous Chef ready for a step up, or a proven executive Head Chef who still wants to actively lead services rather than move into a purely multi-site or operational position.

The Opportunity

You'll work closely with ownership with real autonomy to influence:

• Menus and specials
• Kitchen culture and standards
• Team development
• Service execution
• Product quality
• Operational improvements
• Potential future growth opportunities and sales channels

Importantly, the owners value chefs who are present, visible and fully invested in the kitchen operation.

Package

• £50,000-£64,000 package depending on experience
• Bonus scheme circa £4,000
• Tronc / tips approximately £300-£400 per month
• 48-hour working week
• 4.5-5 days per week
• Strong long-term opportunity within a successful independent hospitality business
• Supportive ownership team that understands hospitality

This is an excellent opportunity for a talented Head Chef who still loves the energy of service and wants to lead a kitchen they can genuinely be proud of within one of the region's standout independent restaurant businesses.

Please apply today for a confidential conversation.