Job Description: Chef/Kitchen Manager
Reports To: Manager
Location: LYDIA ENNISKILLEN
About: Lydia Enniskillen is a premium, independent, family-run café and brunch kitchen nestled in the heart of our charming island town. We blend an upscale daytime food menu with specialty coffee and a vibrant, cozy community atmosphere. We pride ourselves on creating an exceptional guest experience, elevating classic daytime dining using the finest locally-sourced Fermanagh produce. We are seeking an ambitious, talented Chef to lead our day-to-day savory kitchen operations and grow alongside our brand.
Full time position
Job Summary:
As our Chef, you will take full ownership of our fast-paced daytime brunch and lunch kitchen. You will lead to deliver a premium, visually stunning savory menu under high-volume pressure, especially during busy weekend rushes. This role is perfect for a creative leader who thrives on quality, consistency, and menu innovation, and who values an excellent work-life balance with daytime-only shifts.
Key Responsibilities
- Kitchen Leadership: Direct day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring flawless service and high team morale.
- Menu Innovation: Design, develop, and cost innovative, seasonal brunch and lunch menus that complement our signature handcrafted baked goods.
- Quality & Consistency: Maintain a sharp eye for detail, ensuring every plate meets our high-end standards and features "Instagram-worthy" presentation.
- Stock & Margin Control: Take full charge of inventory management, routine stock counts, portion control, and minimizing food waste to maintain strong gross profit margins.
- Environmental Health & Compliance: Maintain meticulous Environmental Health records, including daily fridge temperatures, cook/cool logs, cleaning schedules, and full HACCP/COSHH compliance.
- Financial Strategy: Work closely with management on cost control, ingredient purchasing, and supplier relations to secure the best local rates.
- Team Development: Train, mentor, and inspire junior kitchen team members in a positive, collaborative environment.
What We're Looking For
- Experience: Proven experience as a Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a high-end coffee shop, all-day dining concept, or premium bistro.
- Savory Focus: Strong passion and flair for fresh, seasonal ingredients, specifically creating elevated savory dishes (e.g., Turkish eggs, premium clubs, artisan salads).
- Compliance Expertise: Thorough knowledge of Food Safety management systems, allergen tracking, and maintaining "5-star" Environmental Health standards.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong practical experience in stock control, ordering processes, and kitchen financial management.
- Leadership: Natural ability to lead by example, problem-solve proactively, and stay calm and focused under high-volume time constraints.
- Organizational Skills: Excellent time management and the multitasking capacity required to handle multiple ticket orders simultaneously.
- Local Passion: An appreciation for community roots and local produce.
What We Offer
- Competitive Salary: Reflective of your experience, with structured performance reviews.
- Work-Life Balance: Daytime hours only—no late nights.
- Discounts: Generous staff discount on our full range of retail food and drinks.
- Growth Opportunity: A real chance to be a key part of an ambitious, growing local independent brand.
If you are passionate about creating delicious food while delivering excellent customer service, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Join our dynamic team and help us create a memorable experience for our customers!
Pay: £31,200.00-£41,499.85 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
