Shortlist
0

4 reasons to consider a new Head Chef job in the New Year

Posting date: 04/11/2025

‘New Year, New Head Chef Job?’... I’m sure that’s how the old saying goes, right?! On a serious note, the New Year is not only a time for personal resolutions, but also a great time to spice up your culinary career. You may be struggling to take the leap into your next role for one reason or another, so we’ve put together our top 4 reasons on why you should consider a new Head Chef job in the New Year to help you get started! 

Before we jump into that, you may want to read about what the roles and responsibilities of a Head Chef are at Mitchells & Butlers, so you know what to expect when you become a Head Chef with us. 

You will be ahead of the competition 

We completely get it. You’ve just come out of the Christmas rush and want to hibernate for the foreseeable future after all your hard work of giving your guests the best possible Christmas. And we don’t blame you, take that well-deserved rest! However, you’ll have lots of Head Chef job opportunities at your feet that you do not want to miss during this time, so why not get ahead of the competition and start applying in January whilst the amazing opportunities are still there! Luckily, we have some handy tips on how to make a successful Head Chef application to help you get started. 

You can push future career goals 

2024 is the time to push your future career goals that you may have put aside for the last couple of months. Everyone’s situation is different, you may be a Sous Chef ready to take your first step into a Head Chef position, or you may be an experienced Head Chef or Kitchen Manager looking for a fresh, new challenge. Whatever your situation, we are bound to have a great opportunity for you to help you reach your goals. And your career doesn’t need to stop at Head Chef if you don’t want it to. You can work towards becoming an Accredited Head Chef which you can read about in more detail here, and after that, work towards our more corporate kitchen-based roles, like Anthony who went from Accredited Head Chef to Food Safety Manager. The sky’s the limit! 


You can get access to better benefits 

We know it’s not all about how much you earn and the benefits that come with it. There are other important factors to consider when getting a new Head Chef job such as learning & development opportunities and the company culture. However, your salary and benefits package is something you may want to review in the New Year if you’ve not done so for a while. We offer competitive salaries which are visible on all our Head Chef adverts, have a quarterly bonus scheme, and most importantly – we give you 33% off food and drinks in all our brands for you to enjoy with your friends and family. And when you’re not around, they can enjoy 20% off on weekdays. You can read more about all our benefits. 

You can build up your experience  

Everyone’s experience is different, you may work as a Catering Manager in a school or work as a Head Chef in an independent pub. We pride ourselves on having over 16 different brands, from Miller & Carter to Toby Carvery, each unique in their food offering and skill requirements - so working as a Head Chef with us gives you the opportunity to broaden or strengthen your existing experience in a branded environment. There’s lots of brands to choose from, so we asked our current Head Chefs what it’s like to work at each brand to help you decide which one interests you most and fits most in line with your previous experience. 

Ready to embark on a new culinary adventure in the New Year? 

Now’s the perfect time to check out our current Head Chef and Kitchen Manager opportunities, and if you can’t find a suitable one right now, you can also sign up to job alerts so you’re the first one to know about when an opportunity comes up in your area.  

Even if you’re not quite there in terms of taking on a Head Chef role, we offer so many other opportunities to help get you to where you need to be, just like Ben who went from apprentice to Head Chef. We can’t wait to hear from you soon! 

 

List #1

Our Stories

image of manager serving guests at a pub
Leading the floor to leading the business: Hospitality management careers at M&B

Teaser

Career Development

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/22/2026

Summary

Are you someone who thrives on energy, loves being in the heart of the service, and dreams of going from front‑of‑house shifts to steering the whole ship?  Welcome to the world of hospitality manag

Teaser

From hourly jobs with flexibility to management positions with real impact, M&B is a place where hospitality careers are served up with heart and ambition.

Find out more
Emily Seagrave

by

Emily Seagrave

Emily Seagrave

by

Emily Seagrave

browns employee
What are Browns restaurant jobs like? Progression, culture, and career opportunities

Teaser

Our Brands

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/11/2026

Summary

If you’ve ever searched for Browns jobs or even “restaurant jobs near me” and wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes, you’re in the right place.  At Browns, we offer relaxed, stylish dini

Teaser

If you’ve ever searched for Browns jobs or even “restaurant jobs near me” and wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes, you’re in the right place.

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

image of happy sous chef in the kitchen
Sous Chef Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/22/2026

Summary

So, you’ve landed an interview for a Sous Chef role at M&B. Congratulations! The kitchen is calling, and it’s time to show off your skills, creativity, and leadership. But let’s face it: intervie

Teaser

Landing a Sous Chef interview at M&B is your chance to show that you’re not just a cook, but a leader, a mentor, and a creative force in the kitchen.

Find out more
Sophie Russell

by

Sophie Russell

Sophie Russell

by

Sophie Russell

image of assistant manager at M&B serving customers
The top skills every Assistant Manager needs in 2026 in the hospitality industry

Teaser

Career Development

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/06/2026

Summary

Being an Assistant Manager in hospitality isn’t just about keeping shifts running smoothly; it’s about leading people, delighting guests, driving performance, and stepping up when it matters most

Teaser

In 2026, the best Assistant Managers are part leader, part problem-solver, part coach, and part commercial thinker.

Find out more
Helen Osborn

by

Helen Osborn

Helen Osborn

by

Helen Osborn

image of bar staff at vintage inns pouring a drink
From delighting guests to shaking cocktails: Bar and waiting jobs at Vintage Inns

Teaser

Our Brands

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

03/06/2026

Summary

If you love meeting people, creating brilliant moments and being part of a team that feels more like a crew than coworkers, then bar and waiting jobs at Vintage Inns could be your next big thing.

Teaser

If you love meeting people and being part of a team that feels more like a crew than coworkers, then bar and waiting jobs at Vintage Inns could be for you.

Find out more
image of chef troy
From Kitchen Assistant to Head Chef: How to fast-track your kitchen career

Teaser

Career Development

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

02/26/2026

Summary

Troy’s journey captures what we mean by Hospitality With Heart, people backing each other, learning from others and building real team camaraderie. It’s also a powerful example of how to progress

Teaser

If you're exploring kitchen career progression, how to become a Head Chef, or looking for a clear career path in hospitality, Troy’s story shows what’s possible.

Find out more

by

Becca Houseago

by

Becca Houseago

image of head chef in interview looking at laptop with manager
Common Head Chef interview questions and how to ace them

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

02/06/2026

Summary

Preparing for a Head Chef interview can feel a bit like a Saturday night service, fast-paced, high-pressure, and full of moments where you need to bring your A-game. The good news? Most Head Che

Teaser

Most Head Chef interview questions follow predictable themes. If you know what interviewers are looking for, you can walk in confident and ready to impress.

Find out more
Rachel Hoggard

by

Rachel Hoggard

Rachel Hoggard

by

Rachel Hoggard

image of person writing cv on their laptop
How to write a winning Head Chef CV in 2026

Teaser

Career Advice

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

02/06/2026

Summary

A great Head Chef CV doesn’t just list kitchens you’ve worked in, it tells the story of how you lead teams, deliver standout food, run a commercially strong operation, and keep guests coming back

Teaser

At M&B, we know Head Chefs are more than cooks. They’re culture-builders, business leaders, mentors, and creative forces in the kitchen.

Find out more
Daria Dysarz

by

Daria Dysarz

Daria Dysarz

by

Daria Dysarz

James from M&B
Cooking up a kitchen career: James’ journey from Chef to Head Chef

Teaser

Diversity and Inclusion

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

02/03/2026

Summary

Ever wondered how a kitchen career can really take off? We caught up with James Chilongo, who started as a Chef back in 2007 and is now a Kitchen Investment Trainer at M&B.  From working acro

Teaser

Ever wondered how a kitchen career can take off? We caught up with James, who started as a Chef back in 2007 and is now a Kitchen Investment Trainer at M&B.

Find out more
Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

Laura Kelly

by

Laura Kelly

View all

Quick Search

Or search for a job

Search