Head Chef

Beaches (Seafront Restaurant)

Southend-on-Sea Seafront Full-time | Competitive Salary About Beaches

Beaches is a well established seafront restaurant located in the heart of Southend-on-Sea, directly opposite Adventure Island and moments from Southend Pier

one of the most iconic coastal locations in the UK. With over 40 years of trading history, Beaches has long been a go to destination for locals and tourists alike. Now under new ownership, the business is entering an exciting new phase of growth and transformation. Our vision is simple but ambitious: to evolve Beaches into a must-visit food destination known not just for its location, but for consistently great food, strong branding, and an exceptional customer experience. We are actively investing in: Improving food quality, consistency, and presentation across the menu Building a stronger, more structured kitchen operation Enhancing speed of service while maintaining standards Developing the Beaches brand through social media and local reputation Creating a menu that drives repeat business, not just footfall This is a unique opportunity to join at an early stage and play a key role in shaping the future of the business. The Role

We are looking for an experienced and driven Head Chef to lead the kitchen and help take Beaches to the next level. This role is not just about running a kitchen, its about taking pride in the food created, building a product, a team, and a reputation. You will be responsible for: Delivering consistent, high-quality food in a fast-paced environment Improving existing dishes and overall kitchen standards Supporting the gradual evolution of the menu and food concept Building a reliable, efficient, and motivated kitchen team Working Pattern & Environment

Typical shifts range from approximately 911am starts to 69pm finishes (depending on season) Weekend work is required Overtime available, particularly during peak summer months Restaurant capacity: approx. 135140 covers (65 outdoor decking / 6070 indoor) Service style: combination of table service, takeaway, and counter service Responsible for managing a team of 23 chefs Key Responsibilities

Kitchen Leadership & Operations

Manage and lead a team of 23 chefs and kitchen staff Take ownership of all day-to-day kitchen operations Create clear structure, roles, and accountability within the kitchen Ensure smooth service during high-volume trading periods Train, mentor, and develop junior team members Implement systems to improve consistency across all dishes Ensure high standards of food quality, consistency, and presentation Maintain strong hygiene and food safety standards (EHO compliance) Menu Development & Food Quality

Maintain and improve the core menu Focus on improving quality without slowing down service speed Introduce new menu items and specials over time Standardise recipes, portion sizes, and plating Ensure food presentation is consistent and appealing Contribute ideas for seasonal changes and menu evolution Stock, Cost & Efficiency Management

Manage stock ordering, rotation, and supplier relationships Monitor and control food costs to protect margins Reduce waste and improve overall kitchen efficiency Ensure accurate portion control across all menu items Work with ownership on pricing and menu profitability Maintain clear stock processes and accountability Maintain tight control over food costs and kitchen efficiency Compliance & Standards

Ensure full compliance with food hygiene and safety regulations Maintain a high Food Hygiene Rating (EHO standards) Implement and manage HACCP procedures Ensure all kitchen records and checks are completed accurately Uphold health and safety standards across the kitchen Brand & Growth Contribution

Contribute ideas to help build the Beaches brand and reputation Support development of dishes that are visually appealing and shareable Play a role in improving customer experience through food quality Work with ownership on new ideas, promotions, and menu direction Support the creation of social media worthy dishes and presentation Play a key role in transforming Beaches into a recognised local hotspot Experience Required

What Were Looking For

510+ years experience in hospitality kitchens (pubs, casual dining, or fast-paced environments) Previous experience as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef ready to step up Strong background in high-volume, fast-service food operations Experience with similar menus (fried food, grills, breakfast, casual dining) Proven ability to manage and develop a small kitchen team Commercial awareness

understands margins, waste, and efficiency Hands-on, proactive, and takes ownership Ideal Candidate Traits

Takes pride in delivering consistent, high-quality food Strong leadership presence and leads by example Calm and organised under pressure Hands-on and willing to get stuck in during busy service Proactive mindset, identifies problems and solves them Reliable, disciplined, and standards-driven Positive attitude and team-focused approach Why Join Beaches

Be part of a new ownership journey with clear growth ambitions Opportunity to shape the kitchen, menu, and food standards Work in one of the best trading locations in Southend-on-Sea Join a business with strong existing footfall and huge potential Play a key role in building a recognised local brand Long-term progression opportunities as the business grows Salary & Benefits

Competitive salary (up to £18.50 per hour, based on experience) Performance-based incentives linked to kitchen performance Opportunity to grow with the business long-term Support from ownership to implement ideas and improvements Additional hours available throughout summer months Free tea/coffee for staff Staff discounts on food If youre a motivated chef looking to step into a leadership role or take your Head Chef experience to the next level and want to be part of building something, wed love to hear from you. Apply now.

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