Head Chef

Hickory's Smokehouse; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 45,000 - GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality group in Milton Keynes seeks a Head Chef to manage their bustling kitchen and a passionate team of BBQ enthusiasts. You will be responsible for delivering authentic BBQ menus in a bespoke kitchen designed for excellence. The role offers a generous salary package of up to £47,000 per year, including bonuses and numerous employee benefits, placing emphasis on both career progression and work-life balance.

Benefits

Generous salary up to £47,000

Excellent training through Hickory’s Training Academy

Birthday reward meal every year

Free BBQ meals during shifts

Paid occasion days off

Team Player discount card

Travel and enrichment opportunities

Wellbeing support program

Qualifications

• Experience in managing kitchen operations and leading a culinary team.
• Strong skills in developing BBQ menus and authentic food preparation.
• Ability to foster teamwork and work-life balance in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team in delivering high-quality BBQ dishes.
• Ensure excellent food preparation standards and kitchen efficiency.
• Manage operations of the bespoke kitchen and training of staff.

Skills

Leadership in kitchen management

Expertise in BBQ cuisine

Team collaboration

Work pace management

Job description

Overview

Start an exciting new chapter in your hospitality career at Hickory's Smokehouse - We are thrilled to have been recently crowned the ‘Best Pub Employer’ for 2025 at The Publican Awards!

Join us as a Head Chef and we can offer you a generous package of up to £47,000 per year including Tip Jar plus uncapped bonus!

We’re looking for a Head Chef to lead our passionate brigade of BBQ enthusiasts. You will be responsible for running our bespoke kitchen, and delivering the very best food that our Smokehouse can offer. You will be working with and leading the team to deliver authentic fresh food-based BBQ menu in one of the busiest restaurants in town.

As the fastest growing, Southern style Smokehouse group in the UK with an award-winning Hickory’s Training Academy, we can offer you amazing opportunities as we expand. And, we have a company culture that really cares & embraces work-life – balance.

We are really going places – and we want to take you with us.

Thank You’s & Benefits

• A generous Head Chef package of up to £47,000 per year including Tip Jar plus uncapped bonus!
• The chance to work in one of our £250k bespoke built kitchens, with authentic smokers imported all the way from USA
• Excellent training & progression opportunities – through our award-winning Hickory’s Training Academy
• Birthday reward meal on us for you & your friends - every year
• Free smokin’ BBQ on shift – team food & drinks menu
• Christmas Day off work - every year
• Moments that matter – paid occasion days off (Wedding day, kid’s first day at school, moving into first home & more)
• Team Player card – 25% discount for you & 5 friends in all Hickory’s (rising to 50% for loyal service)
• Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
• Wellbeing support & 24-hour access to our wellness programme, plus a Wellbeing Champion in each restaurant to support you
• Our pledge to a work-life balance – monitoring & managing through our Red Zone
• A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
• Up to £1000 for you – through the refer a friend scheme

If that sounds good or does it leave you wanting to find out more? Click ‘apply’ now and you could be our next Head Chef.

REF: INDPCHEF