Head Chef

👨🍳 Ready to put your stamp on a kitchen?

Are you a Head Chef who loves great food, great people and the buzz of a busy pub?

Doctor’s Tonic is looking for a passionate and ambitious Head Chef to join our team in Welwyn Garden City.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who doesn't just want to run a kitchen – we want you to help shape one.

With a busy social atmosphere, live sport, events, DJs, a large garden and plenty of potential, there's a fantastic opportunity for the right chef to build a food offer that becomes a real reason for customers to visit.

🍔 Why Doctor’s Tonic?

Because there's plenty of opportunity to make your mark.

Doctor’s Tonic is a lively Urban Social pub with a real community feel.

With around 160 covers across two floors , a large front garden and function space, there's plenty of opportunity to create different experiences for customers throughout the week.

The pub has a strong sporting identity , particularly with its Arsenal following, and shows Sky Sports and TNT Sports.

There's also a packed social calendar, with Monday quizzes, DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, live music and private events .

The kitchen is an important part of the next stage of the pub's journey, and we're looking for someone who can help us build the food offer and make it a genuine strength of the business.

There is also scope for future investment in the site, and the right Head Chef will have the opportunity to help shape what comes next.

🔥 What's the opportunity?

As Head Chef, you'll take ownership of the kitchen and play a key role in the future success of Doctor’s Tonic.

You'll have the freedom to bring your ideas, develop your team and help build a food offer that sits alongside everything else this lively pub has to offer.

👊 What we're looking for

We're looking for a chef who is passionate, hands-on and excited by the opportunity to make a real difference.

Requirements

Take ownership of the kitchen , setting the standard for food quality, presentation and service.; Develop and grow the food offer, creating dishes that give customers another reason to visit.; Build, coach and develop a strong kitchen team.; Bring energy and organisation to every service, especially during busy sporting events and entertainment nights.; Work closely with the General Manager to drive the success of the pub.; Identify opportunities to grow food sales and increase the pub's appeal as a destination for dining.; Take ownership of stock, waste, GP and kitchen performance.; Maintain excellent food safety, hygiene and allergen standards.; Create a positive kitchen culture where your team can learn, develop and enjoy coming to work.; Put your own stamp on the kitchen and help shape the next chapter of Doctor’s Tonic.; Previous experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or experienced Sous Chef ready for their next step.; Experience managing a busy kitchen and leading a team through fast-paced service.; A genuine passion for food and delivering consistently high standards.; Strong leadership skills and the ability to coach and develop your team.; Commercial awareness and an understanding of kitchen performance, stock and waste.; The confidence to make decisions and take ownership.; A positive, solutions-focused approach.; High standards around food safety, hygiene and allergen controls.; Excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with the wider management team.