Pitmaster (Head Prep Chef)
Posted 16 days 3 hours ago by Hickory's Smokehouse
Salary up to £36,000 per year including Tip Jar
Start the next chapter of your career at Hickory's Smokehouse, proudly crowned Best Pub Employer 2025 at The Publican Awards. As the fastest-growing Southern-style Smokehouse group in the UK, we're all about traditional American BBQ, strong teams and real progression.
We're looking for a Pitmaster (Head Prep Chef) to lead our BBQ prep and smoking operation in our high-energy kitchen. This is a specialist role at the heart of our restaurants, responsible for delivering authentic, slow-smoked meats to brand standards while supporting and developing the wider kitchen team.
What you'll be doing:- Leading and organising the BBQ prep and smoking processes
- Managing and maintaining our authentic USA-imported smokers
- Ensuring consistency, quality and timing across all smoked products
- Supporting food safety, hygiene and kitchen standards
- Working closely with the Head Chef and kitchen team to deliver exceptional BBQ
- Competitive salary and great tips
- Excellent work-life balance
- £250k bespoke-built kitchen with USA-imported smokers
- Award-winning training & clear progression opportunities
- Free team food on shift & a birthday meal on us - Huge BBQ menu with endless possibilities!
- Christmas Day off
- Paid time off for life's big moments (weddings, first day at school, moving into your first home & more)
- 25% team discount across Hickory's (Rising to 50% with loyal service)
- 24/7 wellbeing support & a culture that truly values work-life balance
- Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
- A chance to 'give a bit back' with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
- Up to £500 for you - through the refer a friend scheme
- Experience as a Senior Chef in a high-volume kitchen
- Passion for food and pride in what you cook
- A knowledge of BBQ would be preferential but not essential.
- Positive attitude and strong team ethic
- Looking for stability, progression and a great work-life balance
If this sounds like your kind of kitchen, click Apply now and get fired up with Hickory's Smokehouse.