Head Chef

Head Chef

"Hospitality expert, paddle tennis enthusiast"

You bring your expertise, enthusiasms, and curiosities; and we’ll provide you with a space to play.

· Full Time – Permanent Contract

· £55,000/annum, including TRONC (Tips & Service Charge)

· Onsite Role

· Based at Mad Swans in the Mendips (Bristol)

Mad Swans is looking for a full-time Head Chef to lead our Kitchen Team here at Mad Swans in the Mendips.

Mad Swans in the Mendips is located in Farrington Gurney near to Bristol & Bath.

Full Address: Marsh Lane, Farrington Gurney, Bristol, BS39 6TS.

Find out more about Mad Swans and what The Times had to say about our first opening at Mad Swans in the Mendips:

What we do

We are experts in our field, committed to creating boundary-pushing social spaces that spark meaningful connections through play in nature.

Mad Swans is a countryside hangout for mavericks. The unruly. The friendship groups you wish you were in. The families you want to hang out with. For evenings that go on forever. And weekends that become folklore.

Come for a good time. Come for a long time.

Come for a breath of fresh air. Whoever you are. Come as you are.

Social play spanning Padel Tennis, Pickleball, Darts, Shuffleboard and Golf gives guests the chance to explore one game or sample them all, across a few hours, a day, or a long weekend. We’re all about great food, which is why we’ve teamed up with experts in their field to create two distinct dining experiences and endless ways to enjoy them. The Potting Shed proudly boasts a menu of refreshing takes on Brasserie classics while, in The Hangout, the focus is on shareable plates with no compromise on flavour. But wherever guests find themselves, from course to court, the meadow to the orchard, they’re never far from a plate of something delicious to satisfy any craving. And, for evenings that go on forever, an Eco Cabin for the night is only a starlit walk through the wilderness away.

What we can do for you

We understand that there’s more to life than work, which is why our roles are designed to allow exploration, from long-time passions to brand-new intrigues.

We believe that to be interested is to be interesting – that means industry-leading training within and outside of your specified job role. If you have a question, we want to provide you with the tools to answer it. As we make our start in the world, our team need to be able to wear a few different hats, which we treat as an opportunity, allowing you to take considered detours into topics of interest, in the pursuit of a broader, richer perspective.

And out of hours, our guests’ playground is yours too. Enjoy the wide variety of green spaces, and the games they host, at an exclusive rate. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in all things Mad Swans, from padel lessons to cocktail workshops, after all, we want you to be as excited by our product as we are.

What there is to it

The key duties and responsibilities of this role will include:

• Lead the day-to-day kitchen operations with confidence, energy and attention to detail

• Recruit, train, and mentor a skilled and motivated kitchen team

• Foster a kitchen environment that’s positive, respectful, and high – performing

• Maintain impeccable hygiene and food safety standards, and make sure every dish meets guest expectations

• Keep your skills and knowledge fresh and up to date, bringing new ideas and best practices to the table

• Complete weekly stock takes and manage orders, deliveries whilst ensuring all SOP’s, recipe specifications, and procedures are followed through the use of Procure Wizard

• Represent Mad Swans and the wider company with pride and professionalism

• Work hand-in-hand with the General Manager and liaise daily with the team about events, specials, and VIPs

• Complete weekly schedules for the kitchen team and ensure they are completed two weeks in advance

• Work closely with the Group Head Chef and maintain a good level of communication

• Report any Health & Safety issues, potential hazards, accidents or near misses to the Senior Management Team during the weekly H&S meeting

This is a full-time permanent position and will work any five days out of seven. The earnings for this role are £55,000/annum, including TRONC (Tips & Service Charge).

Location – this is an onsite role and will be located at Mad Swans in the Mendips, Marsh Lane, Farrington Gurney, Bristol, BS39 6TS.

Working Hours – shift times will vary throughout the week and the kitchen operational times will be from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm.

Working Days – this role will work any five days out of seven and will involve working on weekends on a regular basis. Working hours will vary in line with the operating calendar and needs of the business.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a Head Chef who is:

· Experienced and has previous experience in a Head Chef or Sous Chef role

· Genuine passion for food, creativity and high standards

· Focused on the food quality, presentation and hygiene

· An excellent communicator

· Strong organisational skills and able to multi-task

· Confident, outgoing and well-presented

· Happy to be hands-on and assist with the day-to-day duties as part of a small team

· Self-driven and highly motivated

· Happy and able to work both independently and as part of a team

· Proactive, positive and resilient by nature

· Solutions driven

· Comfortable working in a very fast paced environment

· Food Safety Level 3 qualification is desirable but not essential

Please note, you must be eligible to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor any work permits or visas.

What is in it for you

· Tips & Service Charge

· Free Parking

· Free Employee Meal whilst on shift

· Wage Stream – access your pay for hours worked before pay day

· Employee Discounts on Food, Sports, Activities, Cabins and in the Retail Shop

· Reward & Recognition Initiatives

· Team Social & Well-being Activities & Events

· Employee Referral Scheme Bonus

· Mad Swans Water Bottle

· Mad Swans Hoodie

· Plant your own tree at Mad Swans

How to Apply

If you believe you have what it takes to come on-board and would like to be part of something new and exciting, we would love to hear from you. Please simply apply by hitting the apply button.

Please note, emails from Mad Swans via our careers portal may land in your junk folder. Please check your junk folder to avoid missing any email updates from us.

Recruitment Agencies

We are not working with any recruitment agencies at this time. As such, we do not accept any speculative CV’s and/or candidate profiles and are, therefore, unable to consider these.