Head Prep Chef (Pitmaster)

Start the next chapter of your career at Hickory’s Smokehouse, proudly crowned Best Pub Employer 2025 at The Publican Awards. As the fastest-growing Southern-style Smokehouse group in the UK, we’re all about traditional American BBQ, strong teams and real progression.

We’re looking for a Pitmaster (Head Prep Chef) to lead our BBQ prep and smoking operation in our high-energy kitchen. This is a specialist role at the heart of our restaurants, responsible for delivering authentic, slow-smoked meats to brand standards while supporting and developing the wider kitchen team.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading and organising the BBQ prep and smoking processes
• Managing and maintaining our authentic USA-imported smokers
• Ensuring consistency, quality and timing across all smoked products
• Supporting food safety, hygiene and kitchen standards
• Working closely with the Head Chef and kitchen team to deliver exceptional BBQ

About You: 

• Experience as a Senior Chef in a high-volume kitchen
• Passion for food and pride in what you cook
• A knowledge of BBQ would be preferential but not essential.
• Positive attitude and strong team ethic
• Looking for stability, progression and a great work–life balance

Thank You’s & Benefits:

• A generous Pitmaster package of up to £37,000 per year including Tip Jar!
• £250k bespoke-built kitchen with USA-imported smokers
• Award-winning training & clear progression opportunities
• Free team food on shift & a birthday meal on us – Huge BBQ menu with endless possibilities!
• Christmas Day off
• Paid time off for life’s big moments (weddings, first day at school, moving into your first home & more)
• 25% team discount across Hickory’s (Rising to 50% with loyal service)
• 24/7 wellbeing support & a culture that truly values work–life balance
• Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
• Our pledge to a work-life balance – monitoring & managing through our Red
• A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
• Up to £1000 for you – through the refer a friend scheme

So, if all of that sounds amazing to you and you want to come and be a Hickory's Smokehouse Head Prep Chef (Pitmaster), then click ‘apply’ now!

REF: INDCHEF