Full job descriptionJob descriptionThe Role
As Head Chef, you’ll have full ownership of the kitchen, leading a talented team and driving the standards that define The Foundry Bell.
You’ll bring creativity, passion, and strong leadership to the role, ensuring our food offering remains exciting, consistent, and commercially successful. Working closely with the General Manager and wider leadership team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the guest experience, developing your team, and delivering exceptional results.
This is a role for a chef who enjoys the balance of creativity and commercial responsibility - someone who can inspire a team, manage a successful kitchen operation, and take pride in every plate that leaves the pass.

Company Description
Lead the kitchen of one of Wokingham’s most celebrated neighbourhood pubs
At The Foundry Bell , we believe a great pub is built on more than just great food - it’s built on experiences that bring people together.
Set in the heart of Wokingham, The Foundry Bell has become a destination for guests looking for quality seasonal dining, exceptional drinks, and genuine hospitality. From relaxed lunches and intimate dinners to celebrations in our private Foundry Room and long summer evenings on our beautiful terrace, every visit is designed to feel special.
Our food is at the centre of everything we do. We champion fresh, seasonal ingredients and create menus that balance elevated pub favourites with modern, exciting dishes. Alongside our carefully curated drinks offering, welcoming spaces, and strong community reputation, we’ve created a pub that feels familiar yet just a little bit extraordinary.
We’re now looking for an ambitious and passionate Head Chef to take the lead of our kitchen operation and continue building on the success of this much-loved venue.

Additional Information
Why The Foundry Bell?
The Foundry Bell offers the opportunity to lead a premium, established pub with a strong reputation and a loyal customer base.
You’ll have the freedom to make your mark, develop your team, and influence the future direction of the kitchen while being supported by a business that values quality, creativity, and great hospitality.
What we offer
Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy:
*The opportunity to lead and shape a successful food-led pub
*Career development and progression opportunities
*Supportive leadership and a collaborative working environment
*The chance to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients
*Employee discounts
*Pension contribution
*A team culture built around quality, passion, and pride
If you’re a Head Chef looking for a role where you can truly make your mark, lead from the front, and create exceptional food experiences for your guests, we’d love to hear from you

Qualifications
What you’ll be responsible for
You’ll take ownership of:
*Creating and maintaining a high-quality food offer that reflects our premium pub identity
*Leading, developing, and inspiring the kitchen team to achieve their full potential
*Delivering exceptional standards across every service
*Managing food costs, GP performance, ordering, and stock control
*Ensuring excellent kitchen organisation and operational efficiency
*Building strong relationships between FOH and BOH, creating a culture of teamwork and communication
*Maintaining the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and compliance, including EHO and NSF requirements
*Coaching and developing your team through clear expectations, feedback, and support
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for an experienced Head Chef who:
*Has a strong background in fresh food, premium pubs, restaurants, or similar food-led environments
*Has proven experience leading a successful kitchen team
*Understands the importance of both culinary excellence and commercial performance
*Is confident managing GP, labour, stock, and kitchen profitability
*Has a passion for seasonal ingredients and consistently high standards
*Leads with energy, professionalism, and a positive approach
*Builds strong relationships with both kitchen and front-of-house teams
*Takes pride in developing people and creating a great working environment
What does success look like?
Success at The Foundry Bell means creating a kitchen that people are proud to be part of.
You’ll build a strong, motivated team, deliver consistently outstanding food, and create a kitchen culture where standards, communication, and development are at the heart of everything we do.
You’ll become a key figure within the pub, working alongside the General Manager to drive performance, enhance our reputation, and ensure every guest leaves with a reason to return.