Head Chef - Golden Pheasant

Head Chef – The Golden Pheasant, Plumley

Package up to £46,453 + tips/tronc + bonus potential

Lead the kitchen. Shape the food. Build the future.

The Golden Pheasant in Plumley is looking for a Head Chef to lead our kitchen team in a busy Cheshire country pub, restaurant and rooms business.

After a record 24/25 year, we are now building the next stage of growth. This role is about more than running a kitchen. It is about improving consistency, developing people, growing food reputation and building a kitchen team that is proud of what they deliver every service.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced Head Chef, or a strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step up, to take real ownership of food standards, kitchen control and team development, with the support of JW Lees behind you.

We are looking for someone who cares about proper pub food, calm leadership and high standards. Someone who can lead from the front, develop the team around them and take pride in every dish that leaves the pass.

You will have input into menu development, the chance to create in-house specials using good quality produce, and the opportunity to put your stamp on the kitchen as we continue to grow.

Why this role is worth looking at

• Lead a well-established Cheshire 152 cover country pub, restaurant, beer garden and 9 rooms
• Join a business building on a record 24/25 year
• Help shape the next stage of food growth and kitchen consistency
• Work with maintained kitchen kit and good quality produce
• Create and develop in-house specials
• Train, coach and develop your team for their own personal growth
• Be backed by JW Lees, a family brewer and pub company with nearly 200 years of history
• Share in the success of the business through tips, tronc and annual profit share bonus

What we offer our Head Chefs

• Competitive pay, plus cash tips and tronc
• Annual profit share bonus
• Healthcare Cash Plan, including 24-hour GP access
• 30% discount on food and drink across our pubs, inns and hotels
• 50% off food when on shift
• Discounted stays in our hotels and inns
• 24-hour confidential wellbeing support
• Career development through internal and external programmes
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption policies
• Access to JW BenefitHub for high street and online discounts

What you will be doing

As Head Chef, you will lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen and set the standard for the team.

You will

• Lead, motivate and develop your kitchen team
• Make sure every dish leaves the kitchen to specification
• Drive food quality, consistency, and speed of service
• Maintain strong stock control, ordering and kitchen organisation
• Take ownership of food safety, cleanliness and 5-star standards
• Create specials that guests want to come back for
• Train your team and support their individual development
• Work closely with front of house to deliver a great guest experience
• Lead with calm, clear communication during busy services

What we are looking for

We are looking for a Head Chef who is hands-on, organised, and passionate about great food.

You will need to be calm under pressure, strong on standards and confident leading a team through busy services.

You should care about the detail: food quality, stock control, cleanliness, team standards, and service times. But you should also understand the bigger picture: happy guests, strong kitchen controls, team growth and a food offer that keeps people coming back.

You do not need to be the loudest person in the kitchen.

You do need to be the person who sets the standard.

A note from Carl, General Manager

We are building on a record year and looking for someone who wants to be part of the next stage of growth at The Golden Pheasant.

This is a role for a Head Chef who wants ownership, support, and the chance to develop a kitchen team that grows with the business. If you care about food, people, consistency, and pride in the job, we would love to hear from you.

No polished CV ready? No problem. Apply through Harri and we can start with an informal chat.

Apply now and take the next step in your Head Chef career with JW Lees.

About JW Lees

Proudly family owned and nearly 200 years old, JW Lees are the original modern, traditional brewer. With 150 pubs, inns and hotels across the North West and North Wales, we are passionate about great beer, fantastic food and memorable experiences.

We put people at the heart of our business, always doing the right thing and always sticking together. Our six values are at the heart of everything we do:

• Proud
• Savvy
• Honest
• Passionate
• Personal
• Together