Head Chef

Our Group

At Ardent Pub Group, everything starts with people. Whether you’re walking into one of our pubs or joining our team, you’ll be met with genuine warmth. We build pubs that are rooted in their communities, driven by purpose and built to last.

We operate three acclaimed pubs - The George (Fitzrovia), The Cadogan Arms (Chelsea), and The Hound (Chiswick) - each rooted in tradition but full of fresh energy. Named Food-Led Pub Group of the Year at the 2024 R200 Awards, with The Cadogan Arms and The George both featured in the Top 100 Gastropubs list, we’ve also won the 2026 Best Premium Food Offer at The Publican Awards - cementing our reputation for leading the way in exceptional pub dining.

As hospitality’s highest-scoring B-Corp certified company, we’re committed to doing business the right way - balancing exceptional guest experiences with meaningful social and environmental impact. Our culture is just as important as our performance, which is why we’re proud to be recognised in CODE Hospitality’s Happiest Places to Work 2025 and Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026.

Our mission is to deliver the gold standard of public houses - where quality food, drink, and service create exceptional experiences. If that resonates, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits and Culture

• Group & External Partners Dining Discount up to 50%

• Generous research dining allowance

• Private Healthcare cover

• 24/7 GP & EAP Access

• Up to 50% off with Virgin Active, PureGym & Nuffield Gyms

• Freshly cooked team meals everyday

• Employee Referral Bonus up to £800

• WSET Training

• Leadership and development coaching

• Supplier trips

• Bonus scheme

• An extra annual leave day for every year you work (up to 30 days)

• Twice yearly staff parties

• 1 paid day per year to donate to a charity of your choosing

• CODE Membership

• Hospitality Rewards Enhanced Membership Package

• Wellbeing & EAP Support including 1 on 1 sessions

• LOS, Bday, Maternity, Paternity, Wedding Gifts

The Position

As Head Chef at The Hound in Chiswick, you’ll lead the kitchen in delivering consistently high-quality, innovative pub dishes and seasonal specials. Working closely with the Group Executive Chef, you’ll play a key role in menu development and take full responsibility for the day-to-day kitchen operation.

We’re looking for someone with:

• Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a quality pub or restaurant

• Strong knowledge of seasonality, trends, and quality produce

• A creative, detail-driven approach to food

• Proven ability to lead, train, and motivate a kitchen team

• Experience managing rotas, staff costs, purchasing, and menu costing

• A solid understanding of health & safety and compliance

A typical working week may look like 5 working days, including 3 single shifts and 2 double shifts. As with most roles in hospitality, shift patterns may vary depending on business needs.

This is a perfect role for an ambitious chef passionate about high-quality food and strong leadership.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At Ardent Pub Group, the greatest welcome isn’t just something we give to our guests — it’s something we extend to everyone who walks through our doors. Our pubs are built on warmth, character and community, and that only works when the people who make them thrive feel respected, valued and able to be themselves.

We believe that a diverse team makes for a better pub: richer ideas, better problem-solving, more creativity and a stronger connection to the communities we serve. Inclusion isn’t an initiative for us — it’s part of how we operate every day.