Head Chef Small Restaurant jobs

Head Chef — Proby's Kitchen, Cork
€50,000–€55,000 | Full-time | Cork City

Proby's Kitchen is one of Cork's celebrated independent restaurants, named in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants in Ireland and described by the Irish Examiner as "one of the city's most enjoyable restaurant experiences." We cook food rooted in brilliant simplicity — fresh, local, seasonal, with named provenance and genuine craft on every plate.

We are looking for a Head Chef who believes the same things we do.

The role

This is a kitchen leadership position with full creative input. You will lead a small team in a busy daytime and evening operation, cooking a menu that changes with the seasons and reflects the best of what Cork and its surrounds produce. You will work directly with the owners on menu development, sourcing, and the ongoing food identity of the restaurant.

Proby's Kitchen is not a hotel kitchen and not a chain. There are no corporate recipe books, no executive chef above you, and no compromise on quality. This is an opportunity to put your name on a kitchen that people are already talking about.

What we're looking for

• A chef with proven experience at head chef or senior sous chef level in a quality independent restaurant
• Someone who cooks with confidence and curiosity — strong on technique, stronger on flavour
• Experience with Irish, local, seasonal and produce-led menus and a genuine interest in where food comes from
• Leadership that brings a kitchen team with it rather than ruling over it
• Commercial awareness — food cost, waste, and GP are part of the job
• HACCP certified and kitchen-operations competent

What we offer

• €50,000–€55,000 depending on experience
• Creative freedom over menu development and seasonal direction
• A well-run, well-equipped kitchen with strong operational backing — so you can concentrate on the food
• This role is designed around a 40-hour working week, allowing you to focus on food quality, leadership and creativity without the excessive hours often associated with this position
• A small, committed team and owners who are hands-on and invested in the food
• The platform of a Top 100 restaurant and a ready-made reputation in the Cork food scene to build on

To apply

Send your CV and a note on why this position would appeal to and suit you via Indeed . We will be in touch with suitable candidates directly and promptly. We are looking to appoint as soon as possible.

Proby's Kitchen, Proby's Quay, Cork City.

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Pay: €50,000.00-€55,000.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Cork, County Cork: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person