Head Chef | New Opening Restaurant | Bath | £55,000 – £60,000 + TRONC

Relocation support available

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious Head Chef to lead the launch of a brand-new 54-cover restaurant in the heart of Bath.

Opening in November, this is a rare chance to take ownership of a new culinary concept from the very beginning, shaping the menu, building the team, and creating the identity of a restaurant that aims to become a standout destination within Bath’s dining scene.

The restaurant will focus on vibrant, ingredient-led cooking with influences from the Middle East and Asia. The style is inspired by chefs such as Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi and Neil Perry, combining bold flavours, seasonal produce, creative combinations, and beautifully presented dishes.

The concept will be modern, relaxed, and elevated without being formal fine dining. The menu will focus on sharing-style dishes across sections including Nibbles, Vegetables, Fish, Meat and Sides, offering guests an exciting and approachable dining experience.

This role would suit a Head Chef or experienced Senior Sous Chef who has worked within high-quality international, Middle Eastern, Asian, or fusion-led restaurants and enjoys developing food that is creative, seasonal, and full of flavour.

The Opportunity

As this is a brand-new opening, the successful candidate will be involved from the development stages. Before opening, there will be a dedicated period to focus on menu creation, recipe development, supplier relationships, kitchen setup, team recruitment, training, and ensuring the restaurant is ready to launch successfully.

The opening will coincide with Bath’s busy Christmas period, with the restaurant expected to build momentum quickly. The first few months will be fast-paced, with a strong focus on delivering consistent quality while establishing the restaurant’s reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen operation and create a positive, ambitious kitchen culture
• Develop and deliver a seasonal menu focused on Middle Eastern and Asian influences
• Create, test, and cost dishes ahead of launch
• Build relationships with suppliers and source high-quality ingredients
• Recruit, train, and develop the kitchen team
• Establish kitchen procedures, standards, and systems before opening
• Manage food costs, stock control, ordering, and kitchen performance
• Maintain excellent standards of food quality, hygiene, and consistency
• Work closely with the wider management team to deliver the restaurant vision
• Drive the restaurant towards industry recognition, including Rosette ambitions

The Ideal Candidate

• Current Head Chef or experienced Senior Sous Chef within a high-quality restaurant environment
• Background in international, Middle Eastern, Asian, or fusion cuisine
• Strong understanding of ingredients, seasonality, and flavour combinations
• Experience creating menus and developing dishes from concept to launch
• Proven ability to lead and inspire a kitchen team
• Commercially aware with experience managing food costs and kitchen operations
• Passionate about modern, creative dining experiences
• Looking for the opportunity to make their mark on a new opening

What’s on Offer

• Salary of £55,000 – £60,000 plus TRONC
• Opportunity to build and shape a restaurant from day one
• Creative involvement across menu development and kitchen setup
• Supportive ownership with ambitious plans
• Relocation support available for the right candidate, including assistance with accommodation initially
• Flexible start date considered, with an ideal start from September
• Opportunity to take part in a cook-off as part of the selection process
• Be part of one of Bath’s most exciting new restaurant openings