Head Chef – New Destination Restaurant Opening | Bath

Location: Bath, Somerset

Start Date: Estimated 1 September 2026

I am recruiting an exceptional Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a brand-new, 50-seat destination restaurant opening in the heart of Bath this November.

Our vision is to create one of the city's leading dining destinations, serving vibrant, ingredient-led food inspired by the flavours and philosophy of chefs including Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi and Neil Perry. Expect bold Middle Eastern and Asian influences, modern sharing plates, exceptional produce and beautifully executed dishes.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a restaurant from the ground up. Working alongside the owners from the development stage, you will have genuine creative input into the menu, kitchen design, systems and culture, helping establish a restaurant with ambitions to achieve AA Rosette recognition.

The RoleAs Head Chef, you will lead a brigade of approximately 10 chefs within a compact, high-performing kitchen.

One of the most exciting aspects of this position is that, as a new opening, the restaurant will not trade during the initial development period. This gives you approximately two months to build the operation properly before launch.

Your responsibilities will include:

Developing seasonal menus and recipes

Dish costing and GP management

Supplier sourcing and product selection

Kitchen planning and equipment setup

Creating systems, HACCP and compliance procedures

Recruiting, training and developing the kitchen team

Establishing standards and culture ahead of opening

Leading the kitchen through a successful launch and beyond

About YouWe're looking for a passionate, ambitious chef who combines creativity with exceptional organisational skills.

You'll likely be:

An established Head Chef or an experienced Senior Sous Chef ready to step into your first Head Chef role

Experienced within high-quality independent restaurants or premium hospitality

Confident cooking internationally inspired cuisine, particularly with Middle Eastern, Mediterranean or Asian influences

Passionate about bold flavours, seasonal ingredients and modern sharing-style dining

A strong leader who enjoys mentoring and developing a talented brigade

Commercially aware with excellent knowledge of food cost control and kitchen management

Motivated by high standards and excited by the opportunity to build an award-worthy restaurant from day one

Why Join Us?A rare opportunity to shape a restaurant before it opens

Significant creative input into menus and concepts

Lead a passionate brigade from the beginning

Work with exceptional seasonal produce

Join a business with genuine ambitions to achieve AA Rosettes

Be part of what aims to become one of Bath's standout dining destinations

If you're looking for the opportunity to build something special from the ground up and create a restaurant that people will travel to experience, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now to be part of something special or send your CV direct to me at paul @baxendalemason.co. uk