Head Chef

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

Job summary

A leading hospitality group in Widnes is seeking a Head Chef to lead their team in delivering exceptional BBQ cuisine. This role offers an attractive package of up to £45,000 per year, including uncapped bonuses and a unique kitchen environment. The successful candidate will have experience in kitchen management and a passion for BBQ cooking. Join a growing team with excellent training and career progression opportunities, and enjoy numerous employee benefits that promote work-life balance.

Benefits

Generous salary package with bonuses

Exceptional training opportunities

Birthday reward meal

Discounts for employees and friends

Team food and drinks menu

Paid occasion days off

Wellbeing support and access to wellness programmes

Qualifications

• Experience in leading a kitchen brigade in a high-volume restaurant.
• Passion for BBQ cuisine and menu development.
• Ability to manage kitchen operations efficiently under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the kitchen team to ensure high standards of food quality.
• Develop and execute a BBQ menu that delights customers.
• Oversee kitchen operations, including food safety and hygiene.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

BBQ cooking expertise

Kitchen operations management

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 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 £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: INDCHEF