Head Chef Designate

Supporting Kitchen Excellence Across the Okell's Inns Estate

At Okell's Inns, we are looking for an experienced and adaptable Head Chef Designate to support our kitchens across a portfolio of food-led pubs and hospitality venues. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate culinary leader who enjoys variety, thrives in different environments, and can step into sites to provide leadership, stability and operational expertise wherever it's needed.

Rather than being based at a single venue, you will work across the estate providing cover during holidays, vacancies, peak trading periods, business-critical projects and periods of operational change. You will play a key role in maintaining food quality, kitchen standards, team performance and commercial results across multiple locations.

Working closely with General Managers, kitchen teams and the Head of Food, you'll be responsible for ensuring consistency, compliance and exceptional guest experiences wherever you are deployed.

What You'll Be Doing

Food Service & Kitchen Standards

• Lead kitchen teams to deliver consistently high-quality food to company specification.
• Maintain excellent food presentation, consistency and portion control.
• Support sites during busy trading periods and key events.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, allergen and hygiene standards.
• Provide hands-on coaching and development for kitchen teams.
• Drive operational excellence and maintain high standards across all locations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership and support to kitchen teams across the estate.
• Build positive working relationships quickly within different sites.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and training of kitchen team members.
• Mentor aspiring Sous Chefs and junior chefs.
• Promote a positive, professional and high-performance kitchen culture.
• Lead teams through periods of change, growth or operational challenge.

Commercial & Financial Performance

• Support sites in achieving food GP and cost targets.
• Monitor stock management, portion control and waste reduction.
• Assist with labour planning and kitchen efficiency.
• Support menu launches, promotions and seasonal initiatives.
• Ensure kitchens operate in a commercially focused and profitable manner.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, organisation and food safety.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, Health & Safety, COSHH and allergen legislation.
• Conduct kitchen audits and identify areas for improvement.
• Support sites in achieving and maintaining excellent environmental health standards.
• Assist with kitchen upgrades, equipment installations and operational projects across the group.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an experienced Head Chef who:

• Has previous experience leading high-volume food-led kitchens.
• Is confident stepping into different teams and environments.
• Has strong leadership, coaching and people development skills.
• Understands kitchen finances, gross profit and stock management.
• Is passionate about delivering high-quality food and guest experiences.
• Remains calm, organised and solutions-focused under pressure.
• Has a flexible approach and enjoys working across multiple sites.
• Holds a valid driving licence and is willing to travel across the Isle of Man.

Why Join Okell's Inns?

Okell's Inns operates some of the Isle of Man's most popular food-led pubs and hospitality venues. As a Head Chef Designate, you'll gain exposure to a variety of kitchens, menus, teams and business challenges while playing a vital role in maintaining standards and supporting operational success across the group.

If you're an experienced Head Chef looking for a varied role where you can make a real impact across multiple venues, we'd love to hear from you.