Head Chef - Southampton Outskirts - £40k+ Pub

Head Chef - Country Food‑Led Pub

📍 Botley, Southampton

🏠 Live‑Out Position

💷 Salary: Around £40,000 (DOE - flexible for the right candidate)

We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and well‑organised Head Chef to lead the kitchen in our welcoming, food‑led country pub located in the heart of Botley.

This is a hands‑on role, ideal for a chef who enjoys cooking with fresh ingredients, values consistency, and takes genuine pride in kitchen standards, hygiene, and food safety.

The Role

• Lead and motivate a small, capable kitchen team
• Design and deliver high‑quality, seasonal menus with a strong focus on classic pub food done well
• Maintain excellent standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and allergen compliance
• Oversee ordering, stock control, GP management, and waste reduction
• Work closely with the front‑of‑house team to ensure smooth day‑to‑day service
• Be fully involved in kitchen operations - this is a working Head Chef position

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, or an experienced Sous Chef ready to step up
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (minimum requirement)
• Allergen Awareness qualification
• Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene standards
• A structured, organised approach to running a kitchen
• Passion for fresh ingredients and well‑executed pub classics
• Calm, consistent leadership and clear communication skills
• Particular attention to dietary requirements, especially gluten‑free options

Hours & Working Pattern

• 5 days per week, approximately 48 hours
• Shift pattern open to discussion, but typically:
  • Monday-Thursday: Breakfast from 10am, through to 3pm (lunch service)
  • Friday & Saturday: Breakfast through to evening service (food served all day, with breaks built in)
  • Sunday: Breakfast through until kitchen closure around 5-6pm

What We Offer

• Salary around £40,000, with flexibility for the right candidate
• Live‑out role
• Supportive ownership and a stable, friendly working environment
• Opportunity to influence menu development and put your own stamp on the kitchen
• A reasonable approach to work‑life balance wherever possible

If you're a dedicated Head Chef who cares as much about hygiene, food safety, and allergens as you do about great food, we'd love to hear from you.

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.