Head Chef – Evenings

Mrs Salisbury’s of Wickham Bishops is entering an exciting new chapter. As we expand our offering to include evening dining on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, along with a Sunday Lunch service, we’re looking for a talented and inspirational Head Chef to lead this brand-new part of the business.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the menus, standards, and identity of our evening service from the ground up — while working alongside our established daytime team led by our Kitchen Manager.

We expect to launch this service in March-April 2026, we’re looking for an exciting Chef to help develop the service before launching.

About the Role

As Head Chef – Evenings, you will take full ownership of the evening and Sunday lunch kitchen operations. You’ll develop menus, ensure consistent quality, maintain excellent food safety standards, and build a high-performing team as the service grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and execution of evening dining and Sunday lunch service
• Design creative, seasonal menus that reflect Mrs Salisbury’s quality and style
• Manage kitchen staff during evening shifts, including training and development
• Work collaboratively with the daytime Kitchen Manager to ensure smooth handover and consistency
• Manage ordering, stock control, and food cost efficiencies for evening service
• Uphold exceptional standards of hygiene, safety, and kitchen organisation
• Play a key role in shaping the identity and success of our new evening offering

About You

We’d love to hear from you if you are:

• An experienced chef with strong leadership skills and passion for fresh, quality food
• Confident in running a kitchen independently and managing a small team
• Creative in menu development, plating, and elevating classic dishes
• Highly organised, reliable, and calm in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledgeable in food safety, allergens, and kitchen compliance
• Excited by the opportunity to build something new and put your stamp on a growing brand
• A real foodie

What We Offer

• Competitive salary/hourly rate based on experience
• A unique chance to launch and lead a new service within a well-loved local brand
• Share of gratuities & service charge
• Supportive and collaborative senior management team
• Staff food, perks, and discounted café/tearoom offerings

Working Hours

• Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings & Sunday Lunch service
• We’re predicting 30 hours a week over the 4 days, adjustments may need to be made as the service develops
• Additional hours available as the service grows and for private hire events