Head Chef — The Great Decoy, Hurstbourne Tarrant

The Great Decoy is our newest opening and our first pub in Hampshire. Set in the heart of the Test Valley, it's the kind of village that deserves a great local pub. 

Its name is rooted in the area's wartime history. During the Second World War, local people helped build a network of decoy installations — fake runways and dummy lights designed to draw enemy aircraft away from strategic targets. Ordinary people coming together to do something extraordinary. We thought that story was worth preserving. 

We're looking for a Head Chef who leads from the front, sets high standards, and brings their team with them. Our food ethos is shaped collaboratively by the kitchen teams across the group, so your role is to execute it brilliantly, service after service, while creating an environment where people can develop and do their best work. 

The food is hearty, honest and rooted in the seasons: handmade pies, proper Sunday roasts and British produce sourced from trusted local suppliers. The craft is in the consistency — delivering quality, every day, without compromise. 

About Chickpea

We're founder-owned and seven years in. Today, we run ten pubs across the South West, but the idea hasn't changed much since day one. Great pubs are built by great people. 

Our places are a reflection of the teams who work in them. From the kitchen to the bar, we believe exceptional hospitality comes from people who genuinely care about the industry and the guests in front of them. 

We want every guest to feel as though they've been welcomed into someone's home. That means getting the small things right, paying attention to the detail, and looking after people properly. 

It's a simple idea, but it's the thread that runs through everything we do.

Why Chickpea? 

A respectful kitchen is non-negotiable for us. We want people to enjoy coming to work, and that starts with how teams treat each other. 

There are no split shifts. Overtime is paid. Uniform is provided and laundered. If you want to progress, there’s a clear pathway and the support to help you get there. 

We offer flexible working patterns that fit around your life, not the other way round. 

Every penny of service charge is shared across the whole team — chefs, front-of-house and housekeeping included — with complete transparency through your own Grateful account. 

If you work a six-hour shift, you eat from the menu. Away from work, you'll enjoy 50% off food at any of our pubs for you and up to five guests. 

We close on Christmas Day. 

Each year, we bring everyone together for the Annual Chickpea Awards Bash to celebrate the people who make the business what it is. 

On your birthday, you'll receive a £100 voucher to spend at any of our pubs. There are also monthly rewards and giveaways, including the chance to win a night away at one of our places. We recognise long service too. 

Throughout the year, we organise team trips and away days, from visits to local suppliers to trips abroad. 

If you're ambitious and want to develop, we'll build a training programme around you. Whether that's WSET qualifications, apprenticeships, leadership development or broadening your skills across the business, the opportunities are there for those who want them. 

We're committed to helping people build long and rewarding careers in hospitality. 

And because life isn't always straightforward, you'll also have access to confidential 24/7 support for your mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Whenever you need someone to talk to, help is there. 

What You'll Be Doing 

• Leading, inspiring and developing the kitchen team, creating a culture built on high standards and mutual respect.  

• Taking ownership of the day-to-day running of the kitchen, including stock management, preparation, quality control and efficiency.  

• Working alongside kitchen teams across the group to deliver menus that reflect our shared food ethos.  

• Ensuring every dish leaving the pass is consistent, beautifully presented and full of flavour.  

• Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, health and safety.  

• Supporting the growth and development of junior chefs through coaching, training and mentoring.  

Who We're Looking For 

• Proven experience as a Head Chef in a quality-led kitchen.  

• A genuine passion for food and a commitment to delivering excellence, every service.  

• A natural leader who can motivate, support and develop a team.  

• Someone organised, detail-focused and comfortable taking ownership.  

• A positive, energetic approach and the ambition to help build something special.  

At The Great Decoy, we're not looking for someone to simply run a kitchen. We're looking for someone who wants to build a team, shape a culture and be part of a growing group that believes hospitality is ultimately about people.

Head Chef — The Great Decoy, Hurstbourne Tarrant

The Great Decoy is our newest opening and our first pub in Hampshire. Set in the heart of the Test Valley, it's the kind of village that deserves a great local pub. 

Its name is rooted in the area's wartime history. During the Second World War, local people helped build a network of decoy installations — fake runways and dummy lights designed to draw enemy aircraft away from strategic targets. Ordinary people coming together to do something extraordinary. We thought that story was worth preserving. 

We're looking for a Head Chef who leads from the front, sets high standards, and brings their team with them. Our food ethos is shaped collaboratively by the kitchen teams across the group, so your role is to execute it brilliantly, service after service, while creating an environment where people can develop and do their best work. 

The food is hearty, honest and rooted in the seasons: handmade pies, proper Sunday roasts and British produce sourced from trusted local suppliers. The craft is in the consistency — delivering quality, every day, without compromise. 

About Chickpea

We're founder-owned and seven years in. Today, we run ten pubs across the South West, but the idea hasn't changed much since day one. Great pubs are built by great people. 

Our places are a reflection of the teams who work in them. From the kitchen to the bar, we believe exceptional hospitality comes from people who genuinely care about the industry and the guests in front of them. 

We want every guest to feel as though they've been welcomed into someone's home. That means getting the small things right, paying attention to the detail, and looking after people properly. 

It's a simple idea, but it's the thread that runs through everything we do.

Why Chickpea? 

A respectful kitchen is non-negotiable for us. We want people to enjoy coming to work, and that starts with how teams treat each other. 

There are no split shifts. Overtime is paid. Uniform is provided and laundered. If you want to progress, there’s a clear pathway and the support to help you get there. 

We offer flexible working patterns that fit around your life, not the other way round. 

Every penny of service charge is shared across the whole team — chefs, front-of-house and housekeeping included — with complete transparency through your own Grateful account. 

If you work a six-hour shift, you eat from the menu. Away from work, you'll enjoy 50% off food at any of our pubs for you and up to five guests. 

We close on Christmas Day. 

Each year, we bring everyone together for the Annual Chickpea Awards Bash to celebrate the people who make the business what it is. 

On your birthday, you'll receive a £100 voucher to spend at any of our pubs. There are also monthly rewards and giveaways, including the chance to win a night away at one of our places. We recognise long service too. 

Throughout the year, we organise team trips and away days, from visits to local suppliers to trips abroad. 

If you're ambitious and want to develop, we'll build a training programme around you. Whether that's WSET qualifications, apprenticeships, leadership development or broadening your skills across the business, the opportunities are there for those who want them. 

We're committed to helping people build long and rewarding careers in hospitality. 

And because life isn't always straightforward, you'll also have access to confidential 24/7 support for your mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Whenever you need someone to talk to, help is there. 

What You'll Be Doing 

• Leading, inspiring and developing the kitchen team, creating a culture built on high standards and mutual respect.  

• Taking ownership of the day-to-day running of the kitchen, including stock management, preparation, quality control and efficiency.  

• Working alongside kitchen teams across the group to deliver menus that reflect our shared food ethos.  

• Ensuring every dish leaving the pass is consistent, beautifully presented and full of flavour.  

• Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene, health and safety.  

• Supporting the growth and development of junior chefs through coaching, training and mentoring.  

Who We're Looking For 

• Proven experience as a Head Chef in a quality-led kitchen.  

• A genuine passion for food and a commitment to delivering excellence, every service.  

• A natural leader who can motivate, support and develop a team.  

• Someone organised, detail-focused and comfortable taking ownership.  

• A positive, energetic approach and the ambition to help build something special.  

At The Great Decoy, we're not looking for someone to simply run a kitchen. We're looking for someone who wants to build a team, shape a culture and be part of a growing group that believes hospitality is ultimately about people.