Pitmaster (Head Prep Chef)

Pitmaster - Hickory's Smokehouse Adel

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

Why Hickory's?

• 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

About You:

• 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.