Chef Italian Restaurant jobs

Location: Bowness-on-Windermere area

Contract: Full-time / ongoing opportunity.

Employer: Local hospitality business, not an agency

We are looking for an experienced Head Chef to join a busy, well-established hospitality business in the Bowness-on-Windermere area.

This is a direct role with a local hospitality business, not an agency position. You will be joining a busy Lake District operation with high footfall, strong standards, and a supportive management structure.

This role would suit a confident kitchen leader who is ready to take responsibility for a kitchen and help drive standards, consistency, and team performance.

Why this role is worth applying for

This is a strong opportunity for a chef who wants to take ownership of a busy kitchen, work in one of the Lake District’s busiest hospitality areas, and be part of a business that values reliability, leadership, and consistency.

You will not be walking into a quiet kitchen or a role with unclear expectations. We are looking for someone who enjoys a busy service, leads from the front, keeps standards high, and can help build a strong kitchen culture.

For the right person, this can be a long-term role with the opportunity to make a real impact within the business.

About the role

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for leading the kitchen team, maintaining food standards, supporting service, managing daily prep, and making sure the kitchen runs smoothly.

You will work closely with the senior management team to ensure the kitchen is organised, compliant, well-stocked, and able to deliver consistently during busy trading periods.

The role will involve hands-on cooking, team leadership, stock control, kitchen organisation, ordering support, food safety standards, cleanliness, and helping to manage the day-to-day performance of the kitchen.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen team during prep and service
• Maintain high standards of food quality, presentation, and consistency
• Support, train, and guide chefs and kitchen team members
• Organise daily prep and service requirements
• Maintain strong food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety standards
• Help control stock, waste, ordering, and kitchen organisation
• Work with management to improve standards and efficiency
• Keep the kitchen calm, organised, and productive during busy service
• Set the example for reliability, professionalism, and teamwork

What we are looking for

Applicants must have previous experience as a Head Chef or in a comparable senior kitchen leadership role.

This role requires someone who can confidently take ownership of a kitchen, lead service, maintain standards, and manage a team without needing close supervision.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in a busy professional kitchen
• Confident in leading a team
• Calm and organised under pressure
• Reliable, punctual, and consistent
• Strong on food hygiene and kitchen standards
• Comfortable with prep planning, stock control, and service organisation
• Able to communicate clearly with chefs, managers, and front-of-house teams
• Hands-on and willing to support the team where needed
• Flexible with working hours, including evenings, weekends, and busy holiday periods

What we offer

• £19.00 – £20.00 per hour, depending on experience
• Direct employment with a local hospitality business
• Full-time / ongoing opportunity
• Busy, well-run working environment
• Supportive senior management team
• Clear expectations from day one
• Opportunity to lead a kitchen in one of the Lake District’s busiest hospitality areas
• A role where your leadership, standards, and consistency will be valued
• Staff accommodation may be included, free of charge, for the right candidate

Hours

Hours will vary depending on business needs, but candidates must be available to work evenings, weekends, and busy holiday periods.

This is a busy hospitality role, so flexibility is important.

Important

This is not an agency vacancy. You will be applying directly to a local hospitality business.

Venue details will be discussed with suitable applicants during the recruitment process.

If you are an experienced Head Chef looking for a well-paid role in a busy Lake District hospitality business, we would like to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a short note about your kitchen leadership experience.

Pay: £19.00-£20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person