Head Chef

We're looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at The Mayflower, a recently refurbished traditional pub with beautiful bedrooms in the picturesque harbour town of Lymington, on the edge of the New Forest. Paying up to £50k per annum plus TRONC, this is a fantastic opportunity to join Butcombe Pubs & Inns and make a site like this your own.

You'll lead a premium, fresh menu built on the finest seasonal and local produce, with real scope to influence and shape it,the perfect stage for the right chef. It's a high-volume site, with a 350-cover garden buzzing in the summer and a warm, cosy pub to see you through the winter months. If you have a passion for cooking, thrive in a fast-paced environment, take pride in delivering exceptional food and are compassionate when leading and motivating a team, we want to hear from you!

What's In It For You?

• Flexible Working - We understand the importance of work/life balance and offer flexibility to help you make work fit around your lifestyle.
• Award-Winning Culture - Join one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025, winners of The Publican Awards Best Pub Employer 501+ 2026, and recognised nationally for our industry-leading training and development programmes.
• Benefits Bar - Access discounts, cashback, and perks across major retailers, holidays, groceries, days out, and more.
• Career Growth & Development - From structured training plans to development opportunities across the business, we'll support you in building a long-term career in hospitality.
• Length of Service Awards: Celebrate milestones with exciting rewards for your dedication.
• Annual Awards Night: Be recognised and celebrated through our annual Bar Raiser Ball awards, dedicated to recognising the incredible work our teams do.
• Extra Time Off - Enjoy an extra day of holiday on your birthday, plus the option to purchase additional holiday throughout the year.
• Team Discounts - Enjoy 30% off across Butcombe Pubs & Inns and 50% off food whilst on shift.
• Wellbeing Support - We're proud ambassadors of The Burnt Chef Project and provide access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing.
• Beautiful Locations & Great Teams - Work in stunning pubs and inns alongside passionate people who genuinely care about delivering amazing experiences.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Leading the kitchen team to deliver consistently high-quality food that keeps guests coming back for more.
• Taking ownership of all aspects of kitchen operations, from food quality and safety to stock and labour control.
• Inspiring, mentoring and developing your team, creating a culture of learning and progression.
• Driving menu execution, innovation and consistency across every service.
• Managing kitchen performance, budgets and food margins while maintaining exceptional standards.
• Working closely with the General Manager to deliver a successful and profitable business.
• Creating a positive, collaborative environment where great food and teamwork go hand in hand.

Why Join Butcombe Group?

We believe hospitality is at its best when people can be themselves. That's why we've created a culture where everyone belongs, a place where you're encouraged to just beyou. We work From the Heart, Set the Bar High, Raise the Spirits, and create experiences that genuinely become the Talk of the Town.