Development Chef jobs in Kensworth

Head Chef – WILD

At WILD, everything begins with the ingredient.

We're a seasonal, farm-led restaurant built around close relationships with our farm, growers, fishermen, and producers. Our menus evolve constantly, shaped by the harvest and guided by a deep respect for exceptional British produce.

This is not a role for someone looking to maintain the status quo.

We're looking for a Head Chef who wants to build, lead, and inspire. Someone who is passionate about ingredient-led cooking, obsessed with quality, and excited by the opportunity to shape the future of a growing restaurant.

WILD is still early in its journey, making this a rare opportunity to take ownership of a kitchen with genuine creative influence while working alongside a team that shares a commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and excellence.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for leading the kitchen team, driving culinary standards, and ensuring every dish reflects the values and ambitions of WILD.

You'll work closely with our farm, suppliers, and leadership team to create menus that celebrate seasonality and showcase the very best ingredients available at any given moment.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring equal measures of creativity, organisation, mentorship, and commercial awareness.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and inspiring the kitchen team through every service
• Designing and developing seasonal menus driven by farm and supplier availability
• Championing ingredient-led cooking and exceptional standards of execution
• Training, mentoring, and developing chefs at all levels
• Managing food GP, stock control, ordering, and labour budgets
• Driving innovation through preservation, fermentation, butchery, and whole-product utilisation
• Working closely with our farm team to maximise seasonal opportunities
• Maintaining exceptional standards of hygiene, organisation, and food safety
• Creating a positive, ambitious kitchen culture built around teamwork and continuous improvement
• Contributing to the long-term growth and success of WILD

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or an exceptional Senior Sous Chef ready to step up
• Strong background in quality-driven, ingredient-focused kitchens
• Genuine passion for seasonal British produce and sustainable cooking
• Excellent leadership and people-development skills
• Commercial understanding of kitchen management and profitability
• Calm under pressure with exceptional attention to detail
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• A chef who wants to build something meaningful and leave their mark

What You'll Get

• Competitive salary package
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• A genuine 4-day working week
• One paid day each month working on our farm
• Your birthday off
• Sundays and Mondays off every week
• Daily staff meals
• Ongoing professional development and leadership training
• Creative input into menus and restaurant direction
• Hands-on experience with regenerative farming, fermentation, preservation, and whole-animal butchery
• A supportive and ambitious environment where your ideas are valued
• The opportunity to help shape one of the region's most exciting farm-led restaurants

Join Us

WILD is built on connection—to the land, the seasons, and the people who bring great hospitality to life.

If you're an ambitious chef looking to lead a kitchen that values creativity, craftsmanship, and exceptional ingredients, we'd love to hear from you.

Come and build something special with us at WILD.

Pay: Up to £45,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person