Head Chef, Old Hunstanton, Norfolk

£47,000 basic + tronc + bonus

We are recruiting for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a well-established coastal gastro pub with rooms in Old Hunstanton.

This is a fresh food operation with a strong local reputation, a busy seasonal trade, and a real opportunity for a talented chef to take the food offering to the next level.

The current Head Chef has been in place for four years, and with the business now ready to push standards further, the owners are looking for a stronger food-led leader to help elevate the overall proposition.

This role would suit a Head Chef, or a strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up, who wants genuine autonomy, the chance to refine and develop a menu, and the opportunity to drive the kitchen towards a 1AA Rosette standard.

What you will be doing

• Leading a kitchen team of 8 in a busy fresh-food gastro pub with rooms
• Taking full ownership of the food offer, menu development, and seasonal direction
• Delivering classic pub dishes done properly, with a more gastro style in summer and a more refined, intimate feel in winter
• Driving consistency, standards, and team development across the kitchen
• Working closely with supportive owners who are invested in improving the food offer
• Managing GP, compliance, and overall kitchen performance

What is on offer

• £47,000 basic salary
• Tronc of around £3,000 per year
• £4,000 annual bonus linked to EHO and GP targets, consistently achieved to date
• 4-day working week
• Straight shifts
• 48-hour week
• Full autonomy over menus and food direction
• 12 weeks short-term accommodation available for relocation support

What we are looking for

• A strong fresh-food chef with solid gastro pub or rosette-level foundations
• Someone with real food knowledge, drive, and passion
• A chef who can elevate a classic offering without losing sight of what guests want
• A hands-on kitchen leader who can inspire a team and improve standards
• Someone creative and commercially aware
• Not a pretentious chef focused on style over substance.
  
  This needs to be great food that works for the business

This is a great fit for someone coming from a nearby city, or someone looking to relocate for a better lifestyle role by the coast, without stepping away from quality cooking.

It is a chance to slow the pace slightly, while still having the platform to make a real impact.