Head Chef - Brighton Up to £50k We are seeking an experienced, creative, and highly skilled Head Chef to lead our kitchen operations in one of Brighton's premier independent restaurants. This role offers a great deal of autonomy, giving you the opportunity to shape the menu, choose suppliers, and lead the recruitment of a talented kitchen team. As Head Chef, you'll be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of food quality, maintaining financial control, and cultivating a positive and productive team environment. Key Responsibilities: Kitchen Operations & Food Quality Lead the daily kitchen operations, ensuring food preparation and service meets the highest standards. Create and innovate menus with seasonal, artisan, and ethically sourced produce. Drive culinary excellence, ensuring dishes exceed customer expectations. Take full ownership of menu development, incorporating feedback and market trends. Maintain the highest level of food safety and hygiene practices in line with current legislation. Team Leadership & People Management Lead, inspire, and mentor a team of chefs, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and professional growth. Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and training of new kitchen staff, ensuring high standards of culinary knowledge. Develop and implement structured training plans to ensure the team remains engaged and motivated. Manage staff performance through appraisals, setting goals, and providing constructive feedback. Work closely with the General Manager to ensure smooth communication between kitchen and front-of-house teams. Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, conducting regular team briefings and audits. Finance & Budget Management Oversee kitchen budgets, managing food costs, labour, and GP. Conduct weekly stock takes, monitor costs of sale, and analyse financial performance. Report on financial performance, including sales, costs, and waste management, to the senior management team. Approve rotas within budget constraints, ensuring effective resource allocation. Continuously evaluate dish popularity and customer feedback, making adjustments to pricing or menu items where necessary. Health & Safety Compliance Maintain the kitchen environment in line with HACCP, health and safety regulations, and food safety standards. Ensure kitchen staff are fully trained on fire, emergency, and food safety procedures. Conduct regular safety audits and rectify any potential hazards immediately. Skills & Experience Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior role within a fast-paced, high-quality kitchen environment. Strong leadership skills with a passion for developing and motivating a team. Excellent financial acumen, with experience in managing kitchen budgets, food costs, and stock control. Comprehensive knowledge of health and safety regulations, food safety practices, and HACCP. Ability to create and execute innovative menus that reflect the restaurant's ethos and exceed customer expectations. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with senior management and other departments. Package Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum Full autonomy over kitchen operations A supportive and collaborative working environment Opportunities for career development and progression within a growing restaurant group If you're a talented and motivated Head Chef looking for the opportunity to make a real impact, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join us in creating exceptional dining experiences in Brighton INDBOH AMRT1_UKCT