Head Chef for new and exciting bistro & cocktail lounge

Head Chef

Venue: The Barn Bistro & Cocktail Lounge, Newry

Reports to: General Manager

Contract: Full-time, permanent (evening and late-night service; weekends essential)

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Purpose of the Role

The Head Chef is responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, including menu development, food quality, kitchen team leadership, food safety compliance and cost control. You will deliver consistently excellent food, run a calm and efficient service, and ensure the kitchen operates profitably and safely.

About The Role

About The Barn Bistro

The Barn Bistro is a late-night bistro and cocktail lounge in Newry. We combine relaxed, quality food with a lively evening atmosphere, serving guests well into the night. We are looking for a talented, organised and hands-on Head Chef to lead our kitchen and shape a menu that suits our venue, our guests and our late-night trade.

Purpose of the Role

The Head Chef is responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, including menu development, food quality, kitchen team leadership, food safety compliance and cost control. You will deliver consistently excellent food, run a calm and efficient service, and ensure the kitchen operates profitably and safely.

Key Responsibilities

Food and Menu

• Design, develop and regularly refresh the bistro and late-night menus, including seasonal specials and cocktail-friendly sharing plates
• Ensure every dish leaving the kitchen meets agreed standards for taste, presentation, portion size and speed
• Create standardised recipes and costed spec sheets for all menu items
• Maintain accurate allergen information for every dish and keep it up to date with menu changes
• Source quality, ideally local, ingredients and build strong supplier relationships

Kitchen Leadership

• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team, setting a positive, respectful and professional culture
• Recruit, train, and appraise kitchen staff, including induction and ongoing skills development
• Plan and manage kitchen rotas to ensure appropriate cover for evening and late-night service while controlling labour costs
• Run pre-service briefings and lead the pass during service
• Address performance or conduct issues promptly and fairly, in line with company policy

Food Safety and Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, including HACCP-based food safety management procedures
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including temperature logs, cleaning schedules, delivery checks and training records
• Ensure all kitchen staff hold appropriate food hygiene training
• Be inspection-ready at all times and act as the main contact for Environmental Health Officers
• Enforce high standards of kitchen cleanliness, pest control and equipment maintenance
• Comply with health and safety requirements, including safe use of equipment, manual handling and fire safety

Cost Control and Operations

• Manage food cost (GP) and kitchen wage targets in line with budgets set with the General Manager
• Order stock efficiently, manage deliveries, minimise waste and carry out regular stock takes
• Monitor kitchen performance, report on key figures and recommend improvements
• Manage kitchen equipment, reporting faults and arranging repairs and servicing
• Work closely with the bar and front-of-house teams to ensure smooth, coordinated service

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up, ideally in a bistro, gastropub or restaurant environment
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen management
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a kitchen team
• Good understanding of food costing, GP and stock control
• Creativity and passion for food, with the ability to develop a menu from concept to plate
• Ability to stay calm, organised and efficient under pressure in a busy service
• Flexibility to work evenings, late nights, weekends and bank holidays
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Right to work in Northern Ireland / the UK

Desirable

• Experience in late-night or high-volume venues
• Experience working alongside a cocktail or bar-led operation
• Level 3 or higher food safety qualification
• Experience using stock control, costing or rota software

Key Competencies

• Leadership and people management
• Consistency and attention to detail
• Commercial awareness
• Creativity and menu innovation
• Reliability and professionalism
• Time management and organisation

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape the food offering of a distinctive late-night venue
• A supportive management team and the freedom to put your own stamp on the menu
• Staff meals on shift
• Training and development opportunities across quickly expanding group
• Competitive salary and performance related bonus scheme

Required Criteria

• Candidate must be able to work and resident in the locality
• Hold the relevant qualifications & experience to fulfil the role
• Have exceptional time management skills and commitment to the role

Skills Needed

Chefing Skills, Food Costing Skills, HACCP/Food Safety Management Skills

About The Company

Founded on deep industry expertise , we have grown into a trusted partner for hospitality businesses and jobseekers alike.

We offer flexible, fixed-fee recruitment solutions designed to champion businesses—especially growing SMEs —while providing candidates with rewarding career paths.

Our specialist coverage spans culinary talent , food and beverage , front of house , housekeeping , and executive supervisory leadership .

What sets us apart is our personalised, partnership-led approach . We do not just fill vacancies; we take the time to understand unique aspirations and business cultures.

By combining deep market knowledge with an unyielding commitment to quality, we deliver tailored recruitment support that builds high-performing teams and long-term career growth.

Company Culture

At Launch Recruitment , our culture is built on collaboration, empathy, and continuous growth .

We cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment where every team member is valued and empowered to bring their authentic self to work.

We believe that great recruitment starts with active listening and genuine care . We celebrate personal achievements, foster a positive team spirit , and champion work-life balance and mental wellbeing .

Rather than working in high-pressure silos, we succeed as one team .

We encourage open communication , mutual support, and fresh ideas. By embedding our core values into everything we do, we create a workplace that feels dynamic, warm, and genuinely rewarding .

Company Benefits

We are committed to investing in our people and rewarding your dedication every step of the way. When you join our team, you can expect:

• Competitive remuneration package alongside performance-based rewards and incentives.

• Tailored career progression with structured individual development plans and ongoing professional training.

Vacation, Paid time off, Paid sick days, Retirement plan and/or pension, Culture of recognition, On the job learning

Salary

£40,000.00 - £50,000.00 per year