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Join the team

The George and Dragon in Ightham is dedicated to delivering a quality relaxed dining experience serving a loyal clientele. We are always looking for experienced bar and waiting staff to join our team.

If you have a friendly, flexible, hardworking attitude - and a genuine passion for food and wines, are able to work weekends and late evenings without transport issues please send your CV to Debbie Wilding using the link below.

View our current vacancies below.

We are hiring for a Head Chef

An opportunity has come to take on the reins of the kitchen at the George & Dragon in Ightham. 
Steeped in history, The George & Dragon, a traditional food-led British Inn nestled in the picturesque village of Ightham. 
We are looking for a passionate produce driven Head Chef to lead a small and enthusiastic team serving pub classics, great Sunday lunches and gastronomic evenings. 
We are also looking to develop the self-contained events space. 
The George & Dragon is a unique inn dating back to the Gunpowder Plot and British Civil war, creating a historical destination for all its guests. 
We are now looking for the food to accompany these surroundings. 
This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to cook where history was made.

At the George & Dragon we celebrate the very best of seasonal British produce, sourced from the lush Kent countryside and local suppliers who share our love for quality and sustainability. Your menus will showcase comforting classics and innovative twists, all crafted to highlight the richness of our heritage and the freshness of the land around us.

As Head Chef, we want you to have:
 

• The Lead and inspiration of the kitchen Leading from the front to inspire the kitchen team, fostering creativity and excellence.
• Design and deliver developing menus in conjunction with the owners that champion local, seasonal ingredients and elevate traditional British dishes.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, cost control, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate work with the whole team front and back of house to create an unforgettable dining experience that keeps guests coming back.

We’re looking for someone with a proven track record at Head Chef or Sous chef level, a deep passion for British cuisine, and the ability to bring energy and innovation with a strong grounding of the classics. 

This is a permanent full-time role with competitive salary, along with industry holiday allowances and benefits.

If you’re ready to make your mark in a role that blends tradition with creativity, join us at The George & Dragon and help write the next chapter in our story.

Job Title:                            Head Chef 

Reporting to:                   General Manager/Owner

Communication with:               Kitchen team, restaurant team and bar team

Main Responsibilities: 

• To take ownership of all food production and food service for The George & Dragon Inn. Responsible for all food on site and all food cooked in services across the week.
• Run an effective kitchen management system, from daily due diligence systems to stock control, ordering and personnel cost management
• In conjunction with the General Manager and Food consultant, run and develop the food offer in the restaurant to fit with the core values of the restaurant. Delivering menu’s both interesting and seasonal as well as being operationally efficient and in line with personnel and financial objectives
• Ensure that HACCP’s, risk assessment and Health and Safety as well as food safety is maintained and followed at all times in line with company policy and all systems are updated to reflect current legislation
• To work with key staff in marketing and communications departments to ensure a joined-up communications strategy

Specific Operational:

• Managing and overseeing all food and food related ordering and deliveries, ensuring all items meet rigid company standards and our food safety policy is followed at all times
• Ensure all food served in all food areas at all times meets Company specification and customer expectations, these are accompanied by relevant legal and safety paperwork as set out in Main responsibilities.
• Working with Suppliers to ensure quality and price are maintained and bettered where possible, using connections within the local area to build good will with local suppliers and businesses to support and develop the George & Dragon
• Working to agreed financial and commercial budgets and always looking at ways of bettering targets set out by General Manager and owner.
• Ensuring that all documentation is completed and logged in line with the food safety policy, company requirements and following all current legislation.
• All food, disposables, chemicals and laundry are maintained and controlled and stored correctly via in house management, ordering, storage and usage to be closely monitored and producing an accurate monthly stock report for presentation to the General Manager and the Directors on request.
• Oversee and manage the effective cleaning of all back of house areas. This to include all kitchen areas, kitchen storage areas and fridge/freezers. 

Specific Personnel:

• Build, inspire and lead a small brigade of chefs, assistants and porters to run the food operation at The George & Dragon delivering a faultless customer experience and consistently exceeding expectations
• Ensure that all training requirements are met for food handlers and chefs to comply with current legislation and company policy, and personal development plans are given to team members of all levels where appropriate.
• All Company HR and disciplinary procedures are followed when managing team members.               

Essential attributes:

• Enthusiastic and professional management style with a real passion for food and food service.
• A real motivator bringing the team both front and back of house with them and inspiring and empowering all around them.
• Proven experience in the kitchen at senior level, both in cooking and kitchen management.
• Financial experience working to and managing budgets will be an advantage in conjunction with the General manager/Owner.
• Food Hygiene level 3 or equivalent 

If you'd like to apply, please email a CV to Debbie Wilding using the button below.