Head Chef — The Owl, Loughton - Owned by Punch Taverns and Managed by CDZ Inns
Lippitts Hill, Waltham Abbey, Loughton IG10 4AL | £16.50 per hour | 37.5–40 hours per week
Start date: Between 14th September and 12th October 2026 (subject to minor changes) — The Owl is currently closed for a major refurbishment and is due to reopen to the public on 27 October 2026.
The Owl, a soon-to-be newly refurbished pub on the edge of Epping Forest, is looking for an experienced and energetic Head Chef to lead our kitchen and oversee all kitchen operations. We require someone with a genuine passion for good food, strong leadership skills, and a background in hospitality — able to inspire your team, uphold food safety standards, and keep a busy kitchen running to a high standard while delighting our guests.
You'll play a key role in maintaining The Owl's long-built reputation for excellent food and service.
Initial three-month live-in accommodation may be available, subject to additional space being created due to refurbishment plans and satisfactory checks.
What you'll do
- Lead and supervise the kitchen team — chefs, cooks, food prep staff and porters — fostering a collaborative, enjoyable and motivated environment
- Cook to menu specification and oversee food offering production, ensuring quality, presentation, and consistency
- Manage daily kitchen operations, including stock, ordering, cleanliness, and compliance with health and food safety regulations
- Possibility of developing and contributing to menu specials, reflecting current culinary trends, seasonal ingredients, and guest preferences at a later date.
- Train staff in food safety procedures, cooking techniques, and service standards
- Monitor food preparation processes to optimise efficiency and minimise waste
- Coordinate with front-of-house teams to ensure seamless service during busy periods
What we're looking for
- Proven experience as a chef in a hospitality or restaurant kitchen, ideally with supervisory experience
- Strong culinary skills across food preparation, cooking technique, and kitchen operations
- Sound knowledge of food safety regulations and best practice thereof
- A leader who can motivate and manage a team effectively, including under pressure
- Excellent communication skills with kitchen staff, front-of-house, and guests alike
- Strong organisational skills across inventory management, scheduling, and daily workflows and a quick learner for non-food processes.
- A proactive, hands-on approach and genuine passion for delivering exceptional food experiences
This is a great opportunity to take ownership of a kitchen with a strong local reputation, lead a motivated team, and play a key part in relaunching and creating a new chapter of your own as The Owl reopens to the public.
Interviews tomorrow
- Experience
- Required
- Employment
- Full-time
- Schedule
- To be decided with the successful candidate.
- Salary
- £16.49 – £16.51 hourly
- Benefits
- To be discussed with the successful candidate.
- Starting time
- Immediate start!
Lippitts Hill, IG10 4AL, Waltham Abbey
