Head Chef The Goodside

We are seeking an experienced and driven Head Chef to lead the culinary development and kitchen operations for a new food & beverage business launching from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to shape a concept, create menus, build a kitchen team, and establish systems and standards from day one. Working closely with the founders and F&B Manager, the Head Chef will be responsible for delivering a high-quality, commercially viable food offering while building a positive kitchen culture focused on consistency, efficiency, and excellence.

Key Responsibilities Pre-Opening & Concept Development Collaborate with founders and management to develop the food concept and menu strategy Design menus that align with brand vision, target market, and commercial objectives Create recipes, portion controls, and kitchen specifications Support kitchen layout planning, equipment selection, and workflow design Source and onboard suppliers, negotiating quality and cost where appropriate Kitchen Operations Lead all back-of-house operations, ensuring consistent food quality and presentation Implement and maintain food safety, hygiene, and HACCP standards Manage stock control, ordering, wastage, and food cost targets Develop and enforce kitchen SOPs and cleaning schedules People & Leadership Recruit, train, and develop the kitchen team Build a positive, respectful, and high-performance kitchen culture Create staff rotas and manage kitchen labour costs effectively Lead by example through a hands-on approach during service Financial & Commercial Control Achieve agreed food GP and cost targets Monitor and analyse food sales, margins, and performance Adapt menus seasonally and commercially based on performance data Work closely with the F&B Manager to align kitchen and front-of-house operations Quality, Consistency & Continuous Improvement Maintain high standards of food quality, consistency, and speed of service Actively seek opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency Respond constructively to feedback and adjust menus or execution as needed