# Head Chef

> Retirement Villages Group · Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom · Full-time · Posted 2026-05-08

**Workplace:** on_site

**Department:** Paramount Place

## Description

At Retirement Villages Group, we believe retirement living should be vibrant, connected, and full of opportunity. Paramount Place is our exciting new community in the heart of Tunbridge Wells - and at the centre of it will be Yarrow Restaurant, a stylish new dining destination open to both residents and the public.

We’re looking for a talented and ambitious Head Chef to lead Yarrow Restaurant from launch. This is a rare opportunity to shape a brand-new kitchen, develop a fresh and exciting menu concept, and build a restaurant culture focused on quality, hospitality, and community.

As Head Chef, you’ll oversee all kitchen operations - from menu creation and team leadership to events, food safety, and commercial performance - delivering an exceptional dining experience in a beautiful new setting.

### Key Responsibilities

### Culinary Leadership & Menu Development

-   Create seasonal, modern, and high-quality menus using fresh ingredients
-   Develop a dining offer that appeals to both residents and the wider public
-   Lead hospitality and event catering within the village
-   Maintain accurate recipe, allergen, and menu information within procurement and EPoS systems

### Kitchen Operations & Commercial Management

-   Lead and inspire the kitchen team, setting high standards from day one
-   Manage rotas, ordering, stock control, and monthly stocktakes
-   Deliver strong food margins while maintaining exceptional quality
-   Support efficient and commercially successful kitchen operations

### Food Safety & Compliance

-   Ensure the highest standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and compliance
-   Conduct regular kitchen and dining area checks
-   Maintain audit records and equipment servicing schedules

### Team Development & Culture

-   Build a positive, collaborative, and professional kitchen culture
-   Recruit, onboard, and develop kitchen team members
-   Support ongoing training and personal development plans

### Guest & Resident Experience

-   Create a welcoming and memorable dining experience for residents and public guests alike
-   Engage with feedback to continuously evolve the offering and guest experience

### About You

### Essential

-   Level 3 Professional Cookery qualification (or equivalent)
-   Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a quality-led environment
-   Passion for fresh food and excellent hospitality
-   Strong leadership and kitchen management experience
-   Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and margins
-   Excellent communication and organisational skills
-   Willingness to complete an enhanced DBS check

### Desirable

-   Experience in hospitality-led restaurant openings
-   Experience within retirement living, hotels, restaurants, or premium hospitality
-   Knowledge of kitchen management systems and Microsoft Office
-   Experience delivering events and function catering

### What We Offer

-   Competitive salary and benefits package
-   Brand-new restaurant and kitchen facilities
-   Learning and development opportunities
-   The opportunity to launch and shape an exciting new restaurant concept from the very beginning

## Apply

[Apply at Retirement Villages Group](https://apply.workable.com/retirement-villages-group/j/85FAB196A6/apply)

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