Head Chef

About The Role

Head Chef
The Bridges, Ratlinghope, Shropshire
A rare opportunity to lead the kitchen at a regenerative farm-to-table pub
The Bridges is part of the family-owned Linley Estate, where we're passionate about serving honest food grown on our regenerative farm or sourced from local producers who share our values. Our menus change daily, driven entirely by what's available from the farm, garden, and surrounding area. If you believe food should be local, seasonal, sustainable, and above all delicious, this could be the role for you.
The Role
This is a tough, demanding, and responsible position. You'll be the heart of the house, building and leading a small but mighty kitchen team that works in harmony to produce beautiful food showcasing exceptional ingredients. Working alongside General Manager Sam and the wider management team, you'll be responsible for quality, consistency, budgets, margins, and all aspects of health and safety in the kitchen.
You'll work directly with our head gardener to understand what's available, getting creative during both times of glut and scarcity. You'll communicate with the farm manager about livestock, liaise with aligned local suppliers, and be responsible for delivering the Linley Estate message through food. Minimal waste isn't just a goal—it's essential, with recycling and composting at every opportunity.
What We're Looking For
Essential:

A natural leader who communicates clearly and confidently
Ability to nurture and develop a team, encouraging creativity and collaboration
Commitment to training and educating staff in our ethos and approach
Willingness to get creative with what's available, even when that means digging deep
Strong understanding of HACCP, food safety, and maintaining 5-star standards
Enthusiasm for sourcing from the farm and garden above all else
Confidence catering to various dietary requirements, especially gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian

What You'll Do:

Lead daily menu planning driven by farm and garden availability
Build and maintain a strong, collaborative kitchen team
Hold regular appraisals and demonstrate duty of care for your team's wellbeing
Manage rotas, stock control, and ensure the kitchen is adequately staffed
Organize team development activities—supplier visits, foraging trips, garden work
Work closely with front of house to maintain exceptional service standards
Present at weekly management meetings and attend regular estate meetings
Be present during our busiest times—key weekends and holidays
Support with events, guest chef slots, and private hires

What We Offer

Salary of £40,000-£50,000 depending on experience, with accommodation available if required
28 days holiday entitlement
Staff meals, tips, and pension contributions
48-hour working week
The opportunity to cook with incredible farm-grown produce and build menus around what's truly in season
Creative freedom within our farm-to-table ethos
A collaborative environment where your ideas and leadership will shape the kitchen
The chance to be part of a regenerative farming estate with genuine values
Working in beautiful rural Shropshire
Small, dedicated team where everyone matters

Essential Requirements

Level 3 Food Safety qualification
Allergen awareness training
Full UK driving licence (essential due to rural location)
Experience managing budgets, food costs, and achieving strong GP margins (70% blended menu GP)
Passion for organic, sustainable, and regenerative food practices

About The Bridges
The Bridges is a country pub with bed and breakfast accommodation. All are welcome and we aim to have something for everyone. Collaboration, creativity, and service excellence are at the foundation of everything we do, and we're always striving to exceed our customers' expectations.
Ready to Apply?
If you're a hard-working leader who wants to cook beautiful food that tells the story of where it comes from, we'd love to hear from you.
Start date: March 2026
Please send your CV and cover letter explaining why you're the right person to lead our kitchen to: manager@thebridgespub.co.uk
Find out more about us:

Website: www.thebridgespub.co.uk
Instagram/Facebook: @Thebridgespub