Head Chef Two Rosette Independent Restaurant Ownership Pathway

9 Days Old

£50k + £1012k TRONC
Location: Chelmsford, Essex
Position: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive salary + structured progression + ownership pathway
About the restaurant
Pig & Whistle Restaurant is an independent owner-operated, multi award winning restaurant in north Chelmsford, set between Writtle and Broomfield and surrounded by open Essex countryside.
A 16th-century house, it has been lovingly transformed into an award-winning romantic restaurant with outdoor and indoor rooms, licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies. The venue is intimate and cosy, with a loyal local following and strong repeat trade.
Working together as a close team, we serve seasonal menus using locally sourced ingredients, balancing comfort, refinement and consistency rather than trends.
The opportunity
We are looking for a Head Chef who wants more than their next job. Were looking for the right chef to not only maintain, but to further our two rosette successes to the next level.
Over the coming years we intend to transition the restaurant to a long-term operator. For the right person this role can develop into genuine partnership and potential future business ownership, while the current owners retain their owned building.
You will be involved in decisions, not just instructed on them.
Your role
You will run the kitchen as if it were your own because ultimately it could become exactly that.
Kitchen leadership
Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and service

Maintain consistent food standards and presentation

Manage prep systems and service organisation

Create a calm, controlled service environment

Menu & food development
Design and evolve seasonal menus within the restaurant style

Balance creativity with commercial awareness

Understand our customers and cook for them, not trends

Work collaboratively on pricing and margins

Team management
Train and develop junior chefs

Manage rotas and labour efficiency

Maintain a positive, professional kitchen culture

Recruit and retain staff

Business involvement
Work with owners on GP, suppliers and menu costing

Contribute to operational improvements

Participate in long-term planning and growth

Gradually take increasing operational responsibility

What were looking for
This role suits a chef who:
Has attained Two Rossette standard on their own or within a team.

Wants stability but also a future

Understands hospitality as a business, not just cooking

Cares about regular customers and reputation

Enjoys building systems rather than firefighting

Is ready to step beyond Head Chef towards operator level

Rossette experience is not essential. Ownership mindset is.
Progression & ownership pathway
We are open to developing the right person beyond employment.
This can include:
Transparent involvement in business performance

Structured leadership development

Opportunity to acquire shares in the trading business over time

Potential future option to operate the restaurant independently and lease the premises

This is a genuine pathway, not a retention phrase.
What we offer
Competitive salary (dependent on experience)

Stable working environment

Sensible service volumes

Creative input and autonomy

Long-term progression opportunity

Real involvement in how the business runs

How to apply
Tell us about yourself and what you want from your next stage in hospitality not just your CV. Were interested in mindset as much as background.

TPBN1_UKCT
Apply
Location:
Chelmsford
Job Type:
PartTime

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