Head Chef – Trading Boundaries
Location: Sheffield Green, East Sussex
Hours: Full-time | £48,000—£52,000
Equal share of tips (£6,000-£8,000+ per annum)
Average Hours: 44hrs per week.
An award-winning and family-run – Live Music & Events Venue – Trading Boundaries is expanding into boutique hospitality with the launch of 12 stunning new courtyard guest rooms. As we complete a major kitchen refurbishment – including new walk-in cold room – and launch our new wedding banqueting, and evening restaurant service – we are seeking a visionary and commercially savvy Head Chef to lead our culinary offering into its next exciting chapter!
About the Role
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of food at Trading Boundaries. You will lead our kitchen with a focus on creativity, consistency, and calm. With the support of our passionate team, you’ll be responsible for designing exciting, memorable menus that reflect the spirit of our venue – from elegant wedding feasts to vibrant evening dining during our popular live music events.
You’ll also be central to the business: driving profitability, nurturing a positive and supportive restaurant culture, and bringing energy and innovation to our food identity.
Responsibilities
- Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring food preparation and cooking meet high standards of quality and safety.
- Lead and inspire our chefs with creativity, professionalism and a collaborative spirit.
- Create exciting, upmarket menus that deliver quality and imagination across weddings, live concert experiences, and daily restaurant services.
- Serve up to 200 guests in a pre-theatre style service on Friday/Saturday nights.
- Ensure exceptional food quality, presentation, and consistency – always.
- Manage stock, pricing and ingredient ordering in the restaurant.
- Maintain high EHO standards, and strong compliance with health & safety regulations.
- Act as a teacher and mentor – building a calm, positive team culture with no place for ego or anger. We believe the kitchen should be calm, focused, and free from ego. No shouting, no chaos – just excellent food, great communication, and strong teamwork!
- Lead our kitchen team in a proactive fashion – creating monthly rotas, and playing a key role in hiring new team-members.
- Play a key role in launching our new evening dinner services on mid-week evenings, including simple à la carte menus, and chef-led experiences.
- Help grow and maintain the new kitchen garden, using venue-grown produce and garnish wherever possible in day-to-day cooking.
What We Offer
- The chance to help define a bold new food identity at a unique and award-winning events venue set in the stunning Sussex countryside.
- Competitive salary with excellent gratuity + performance-based rewards.
- Regular bonus for achieving 5* EHO safety rating.
- Freedom to grow and innovate on a regular basis with changing event menus. Our kitchen is a playground for anyone passionate about food, wine and cocktails!
- Staff Discounts in the Shops, Bars & Hotel Rooms. Complimentary stays each year.
- Genuine work/life balance and a respectful, people-first working culture.
- Wednesday – Sunday working week. Mondays & Tuesday’s off.
- A creative, fun and friendly environment full of music, art, staff events, and an amazing community of people!
This is more than a chef job – it’s a chance to help write the next chapter of an iconic venue
If you’re a chef with experience, who combines ambition with empathy, creativity with calm, and business savvy with culinary flair – we’d love to hear from you.
PLEASE SEND CV WITH COVER LETTER
Requirements:
- Personal Transport. UK Driving License
- Calm and positive attitude under pressure.
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Creative, upmarket menu delivery
- Experience catering large events & banquets.
- Proven EHO & Food Safety experience.