Head Chef - #1674065

St. John’s Tavern is a much-loved bar and restaurant in Archway, North London. Since opening in 1998, we have built a loyal following for our food, rooted in seasonal British and regional European cooking. Named one of London’s 50 best gastropubs by the Evening Standard, we are proud of our heritage and excited for what comes next.

Our building includes three kitchens. One serves the bar, another is the open wood-fired grill in the dining room, and the third supports private events and regular supper clubs.

Our inspiration comes from the generous dining traditions of Europe, including chop houses, brasseries, trattorie and comedores. We aim to provide outstanding food at honest prices in a warm and welcoming local setting.

We are now looking for a passionate and talented Head Chef to lead our kitchen and shape the next chapter of St. John’s Tavern. This is a rare opportunity to join a respected and established business while helping to evolve its culinary direction. You will have the freedom to create dynamic menus for the dining room, curate bar offerings and bring fresh ideas to life through our ‘Mi Casa, Tu Casa’ supper club and events.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate the kitchen team while fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.


• Design and deliver seasonal menus that reflect our values of quality produce, sustainability and minimal waste.


• Oversee all aspects of daily kitchen operations including preparation, service, hygiene and food safety standards.


• Manage stock levels, supplier relationships and ordering in line with budget targets.


• Maintain accurate portioning, costing and profit margins.


• Train and develop the team, supporting professional growth and consistency.


• Collaborate with the front of house and ownership teams on menus, events and the overall vision for the business.

About You

• You have a genuine passion for food and hospitality.


• You bring experience as a senior chef in a quality-focused kitchen.


• You are a strong and calm leader who values teamwork and clear communication.


• You are highly organised with a good understanding of stock control, budgets and kitchen operations.


• You are committed to delivering consistency, quality and a positive kitchen culture.

We offer a competitive salary based on experience, performance-related bonuses and the chance to work in a creative and supportive environment where your input will truly matter.