Position Overview
Chargal is seeking an experienced and visionary Head Chef to lead our culinary department. We specialize in high-caliber, super-seasonal Mediterranean cuisine, committed to showcasing peak-season produce through refined, market-led menus. While our culinary identity is firmly Mediterranean, our dishes occasionally weave in subtle, thoughtful influences and spices from Turkish culinary heritage.
The successful candidate will take full operational and creative ownership of the kitchen. This role demands a sophisticated understanding of Mediterranean culinary traditions, strong financial acumen, and an inspiring leadership style. You will be instrumental in maintaining our reputation for culinary excellence, driving kitchen efficiency, and fostering a professional, high-performing team environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Culinary Leadership & Innovation: Direct all daily kitchen operations, ensuring the highest standards of food preparation, taste, and presentation.
- Menu Engineering: Design, develop, and execute rotating, hyper-seasonal Mediterranean menus, incorporating refined Turkish accents and flavor profiles where appropriate.
- Financial Management: Optimize kitchen profitability by managing food costs, labor costs, portion control, and waste management to achieve targeted GP margins.
- Inventory & Supplier Relations: Manage procurement and build strong relationships with premium suppliers to secure the finest seasonal Mediterranean ingredients and specialty spices.
- Team Mentorship & Recruitment: Recruit, train, and develop kitchen staff, promoting a culture of professional growth, mutual respect, and high culinary standards.
- Regulatory Compliance: Maintain rigorous health, safety, and sanitation standards, ensuring full compliance with HACCP, COSHH, and local food safety regulations.
- Cross-Department Collaboration: Work closely with the front-of-house management team to ensure seamless service delivery and an exceptional guest experience.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Proven Leadership: Substantial experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a high-volume, premium restaurant environment.
- Culinary Expertise: Extensive knowledge of Mediterranean cuisine and modern culinary techniques, with a passion for ingredient-led, seasonal menu curation and a familiarity with Turkish flavor profiles.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of kitchen finance, including GP tracking, stock control, and labor optimization.
- People Management: A professional, collaborative leadership style with a proven track record of mentoring and retaining kitchen talent.
- Compliance Standards: Up-to-date food hygiene certifications (Level 3 or equivalent preferred) and a comprehensive understanding of kitchen health and safety protocols.
- Communication: Exceptional organizational, time-management, and interpersonal communication skills.
What We Offer
- Competitive Compensation: An attractive salary of £55,000 to £60,000 per year, depending on experience.
- Dining Privileges: Complimentary meals on duty and excellent staff discounts across our brand.
- Creative Autonomy: The opportunity to shape and evolve a dynamic, market-driven menu.
- Professional Growth: A supportive executive team dedicated to your long-term career progression.
Chargal is an equal opportunities employer.
Pay: £55,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
