What skills should I detail in a Head Chef job description?

Date modified: 22nd September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Head Chef Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate a prestigious restaurant serving 250+ covers daily with emphasis on innovative cuisine, exceptional quality, and culinary excellence. Our head chef leads the entire kitchen operation, setting culinary standards while managing a talented brigade of 15+ kitchen professionals. This executive role combines creative culinary leadership with business management, overseeing menu development, cost control, and kitchen operations while maintaining our reputation for outstanding food quality. You'll work in a state-of-the-art kitchen with premium equipment and ingredients, leading culinary innovation and staff development. The position offers exceptional opportunities for culinary recognition, business involvement, and potential partnership opportunities within our expanding restaurant group, with influence over menu development, supplier relationships, and culinary direction.
• Lead comprehensive kitchen operations including menu planning, recipe development, and culinary standards implementation • Manage entire kitchen brigade including recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance management of all kitchen staff • Develop innovative seasonal menus balancing creativity, cost effectiveness, and guest appeal • Oversee food cost management including purchasing, portion control, waste reduction, and profit margin optimization • Ensure exceptional food quality and presentation standards across all dishes and service periods • Manage supplier relationships, ingredient sourcing, and quality control for all kitchen deliveries • Implement and maintain HACCP, food safety, and kitchen hygiene protocols throughout operations • Coordinate with front-of-house management on service flow, special dietary requirements, and guest expectations • Handle kitchen administration including budgeting, reporting, inventory management, and cost analysis • Lead menu engineering, pricing strategies, and dish development for optimal profitability • Manage equipment maintenance, kitchen organization, and workflow optimization for maximum efficiency • Represent restaurant at industry events, supplier meetings, and culinary competitions
Essential Skills: Exceptional culinary expertise across multiple cuisine styles and advanced cooking techniques; proven leadership experience managing large kitchen teams and complex operations; strong business acumen including food costing, P&L management, and financial accountability; comprehensive knowledge of HACCP, food safety, and kitchen management systems; outstanding organizational abilities for menu planning, inventory management, and operational coordination; excellent communication skills for team leadership, supplier negotiations, and stakeholder management. Preferred Qualifications: Formal culinary education from recognized institution; 5+ years head chef or executive chef experience in similar volume establishments; wine and beverage knowledge for menu pairing and development; experience with kitchen technology, inventory systems, and cost management software; additional culinary certifications and specialized training; media experience for restaurant promotion and culinary representation.
We're looking for accomplished culinary professionals with minimum 5 years head chef or senior sous chef experience, demonstrating exceptional cooking skills, proven leadership ability, and comprehensive understanding of kitchen business operations. Candidates must possess extensive culinary knowledge, creative menu development experience, and successful track record managing large kitchen teams while achieving financial targets and maintaining exceptional quality standards. This executive position offers significant culinary autonomy, business partnership opportunities, and potential equity participation in restaurant success. Career advancement includes multi-site culinary director roles, restaurant ownership opportunities, and involvement in new concept development within our hospitality group.
We're looking for someone who combines exceptional culinary creativity with strong business leadership, inspiring teams while driving culinary innovation and operational excellence. You should possess clear culinary vision, ability to develop signature dishes, and skill in building cohesive kitchen culture. The ideal candidate will have entrepreneurial mindset for menu development, analytical approach to cost management, and commitment to continuous culinary improvement. You should be passionate about ingredient quality, seasonal cooking, and creating memorable dining experiences while maintaining profitable operations. We value culinary integrity, innovative thinking, and collaborative leadership, seeking someone who elevates our culinary reputation while developing team capabilities and achieving business objectives.
Competitive executive salary of £45,000-£55,000 annually plus substantial performance bonus structure based on food costs, kitchen efficiency, and guest satisfaction (potential additional £8,000-£12,000 annually). Comprehensive executive benefits package includes: professional development budget for culinary education, competitions, and industry events; 32 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays and professional time; health and dental insurance including family coverage. Executive opportunities including potential restaurant partnership, equity participation in business growth, and involvement in new venture development. Culinary competition support, supplier relationship benefits, and industry networking opportunities through our established culinary partnerships and reputation.

When writing a job description for a Head Chef, it's important to list specific skills that are crucial for the role. These should include culinary expertise, leadership abilities, and operational management skills. Detail skills like menu planning, team management, food safety compliance, and budget handling. This helps potential candidates understand what is expected in your kitchen and assess if they are a good fit.

Common misunderstanding: Listing too many general skills will attract more candidates.

It's better to be specific about the skills needed. General lists can attract many unqualified candidates, making the hiring process longer and more difficult. Focus on key skills that are essential for your kitchen's success.

Common misunderstanding: Technical skills are all that matter for a Head Chef.

While culinary skills are crucial, soft skills like leadership, communication, and creativity are equally important. A Head Chef not only cooks but also manages the team and ensures the kitchen runs smoothly.

How do I differentiate between must-have and nice-to-have skills in a Head Chef job description?

In your job description, clearly separate the essential skills from the desirable ones. Must-have skills are non-negotiable and necessary from day one, such as strong culinary skills, leadership, and food safety knowledge. Nice-to-have skills might include experience with specific cuisines or familiarity with modern dietary trends, which could enhance a candidate's role but are not critical for job performance.

Common misunderstanding: Nice-to-have skills are optional and not important.

While not essential, nice-to-have skills can significantly contribute to a chef's success and innovation in your kitchen. They should be seen as beneficial for both the candidate's growth and the establishment's advancement.

Common misunderstanding: Must-have skills need to be highly specific.

Must-have skills should be specific but also allow for some flexibility. For example, requiring "strong leadership skills" rather than "10 years as a Head Chef" can open your role to a wider range of capable candidates.

What unique skills could be particularly relevant for my venue’s Head Chef role?

Consider your venue's specific style, cuisine, and customer base when listing unique skills for a Head Chef. For instance, if your restaurant specializes in exotic cuisines, skills in those specific culinary arts would be crucial. Similarly, if your venue prides itself on innovation, skills in modern cooking techniques and trends would be highly relevant.

Common misunderstanding: All Head Chefs need the same set of skills.

Each venue has its unique demands and style, which means the skills needed for a Head Chef can vary greatly. Tailor the skills section of your job description to reflect the specific needs and goals of your establishment.

Common misunderstanding: Unique skills are difficult to assess in candidates.

While some unique skills may be challenging to evaluate through a standard interview, practical cook-offs or trial days can help assess these abilities effectively. This approach gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in real-world scenarios.