Head Chef

Hickory's Smokehouse; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned Southern style Smokehouse chain in Peterborough is seeking a talented Head Chef to lead its award-winning kitchen team. You will oversee the delivery of exceptional BBQ dishes, manage kitchen staff, and ensure high standards of food quality. The role comes with a competitive salary of up to £45,000, benefits like training opportunities, and a strong focus on work-life balance. Join a passionate team dedicated to providing the best dining experience in a bespoke kitchen.

Benefits

Generous salary package

Excellent training opportunities

Free food on shift

Christmas Day off

Paid occasion days off

Qualifications

• Experience in a kitchen leadership role.
• Ability to manage a team delivering high-quality food.
• Passion for BBQ and fresh food.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team in food preparation and service.
• Ensure high standards of food quality and safety.
• Develop and manage the BBQ menu.

Skills

Leadership

BBQ cooking techniques

Menu creation

Job description

Start an exciting new chapter in your hospitality career at Hickory's Smokehouse - We arethrilled 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 £45,000 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 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 £45,000 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