Andalucia Tapas, based in Ferring, West Sussex, is a successful independent restaurant that has recently received high praise within our field. After proudly placing 4th in the Best Sussex Restaurant awards, were now striving for the top spot, and were looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to help us get there.

The ideal candidate will bring creativity, leadership, and a genuine love of food to our thriving, high-energy kitchen. Proven experience in managing a successful restaurant kitchen is essential, along with a strong understanding of tapas-style dining and small plate concepts.

The successful candidate will be friendly, personable and passionate. This is a fantastic opportunity for a head chef seeking a new role in a state-of-the-art kitchen.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, inspire, and develop the kitchen brigade to deliver high-quality dishes consistently.
Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including menu development, stock control, food costing and hygiene compliance.
Support the development and coordination of menu/catering ideas for events and group dining.
Work proactively to identify and support growth opportunities, for example, increasing quieter periods through the creation and rollout of innovative menus.
Designing and developing seasonal menus that showcase authentic Spanish Mediterranean cuisine.
Manage ordering, supplier relationships, and stock rotation to ensure efficiency and minimise waste.
Overseeing food preparation and service for both lunch and dinner services.
Ensure all dishes meet the highest standards of presentation and flavour.
Uphold food safety, health and hygiene regulations at all times.
Work closely with front-of-house management to ensure seamless service and customer satisfaction.
Mentor and motivate the kitchen brigade to deliver consistently high standards.

Requirements

Must have a minimum of 3 years proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a busy, high-performing restaurant kitchen.
Strong understanding and passion for tapas and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
Excellent leadership and communication skills.
Ability to manage budgets, control costs and deliver strong GP performance.
High standards of cleanliness and attention to detail.
Creative flair and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Relevant food hygiene and safety certifications.
Shows personal determination and resilience; remains optimistic and adaptable in changing circumstances, demonstrating a strong growth mindset.
Proficient in managing kitchen operations and coordinating with other departments and directors.

What You Can Expect from Us

Employee Assistance Programme with well-being support.
Discounted gym membership.
Private health care and physiotherapy.
Staff discount.
Pension scheme.
Development opportunities.

Rate of Pay / Hours:

Your normal working hours are 40-42 hours per week. Your normal working days are between Monday and Sunday, where you would work 5 days out of 7, with two days off on a rota basis.

Salary per annum = £40,000 (EXCLUDING gratuities, which are paid via wages and are currently approx. between £700 and £900 per month). The role has an OTE of up to £50,000 at present, inclusive of gratuities.

If you are a skilled head chef with a passion for creating delicious dishes, leading a team and delivering exceptional dining experiences, we would love to hear from you.