Head Chef
Location: Kilnsey
Salary: £34,000 per year
Benefits
- £34,000 per year
- 40-hour working week
- No evening finishes – winter closing at 4:00pm and summer closing at 5:00pm
- Every evening free
- Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
- Free meals on duty
- Free on-site parking
- Creative freedom over menus
- Direct access to the owners with fast decision-making
- Opportunity to influence future menu development
- Work within a supportive independent business
- Outstanding work-life balance
About the Role
My client is looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a thriving fresh food café in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Set within one of the region’s most picturesque countryside destinations, the café attracts walkers, families, cyclists and visitors throughout the year who come to enjoy freshly prepared food in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Serving around 50 covers each day, the kitchen focuses on quality over quantity, using fresh ingredients to create dishes that encourage customers to return time and time again.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a chef who wants to step away from late-night hospitality without sacrificing creativity or job satisfaction.
What You’ll Be Doing
As Head Chef, you’ll:
- Lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen
- Prepare and serve fresh, high-quality café food
- Develop seasonal menus and daily specials
- Introduce new ideas, including expanding the menu towards modern gastro-style dishes
- Manage food ordering, stock control and kitchen organisation
- Maintain high standards of food safety and cleanliness
- Lead and support the kitchen team while creating a positive working environment
One of the biggest advantages of this role is the freedom you’ll have. As part of an independent business, you’ll work directly with the owners, allowing ideas to be implemented quickly without the delays often found in larger organisations. Whether it’s introducing new dishes, refreshing equipment or improving kitchen operations, your input will genuinely shape the future of the business.
What We’re Looking For
You’ll ideally have:
- At least two years’ experience working as a chef in a fresh food environment
- Previous experience leading a kitchen or the ambition to step into your first Head Chef position
- A passion for fresh, seasonal produce
- A creative approach to menu development
- Strong organisational and leadership skills
- A positive, hands-on attitude with a willingness to support the wider team
- Pride in delivering consistently high-quality food
Why This Role Stands Out
Head Chef opportunities offering genuine work-life balance are becoming increasingly rare.
With a 40-hour working week, no evening finishes, and the café closing by 4:00pm during the winter and 5:00pm throughout the summer, you’ll have every evening free to spend with family, friends or simply enjoying life outside of work.
Combined with Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day off each year, this role offers an excellent balance between a rewarding hospitality career and personal time.
Salary
£34,000 per year
If you’re looking for a Head Chef position where you can lead a kitchen, have real creative input and enjoy an outstanding quality of life, we’d love to hear from you.
About Chefs for Chefs
Chefs for Chefs are committed to promoting equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, religion, belief, race, sexuality or disability.
We operate as both an employment agency and an employment business.
You can find a wide selection of vacancies on our website.
