Overview
We’re looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to take ownership of our busy café kitchen.
This is a hands-on role. You’ll be cooking and leading service alongside the kitchen team, while taking responsibility for the overall organisation, standards and performance of the kitchen.
We’re looking for someone who takes pride in producing great-quality café food, enjoys working with fresh ingredients and can run a kitchen that is organised, efficient, clean and well prepared.
As Head Chef / Kitchen Manager, you’ll have the opportunity to put your own stamp on the food offering, developing menus and specials while ensuring that dishes remain commercially sensible, consistent and achievable during busy services.
You'll work closely with the Café Manager and wider management team to make sure the kitchen and front of house work together effectively.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the kitchen team and take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen
- Prepare, cook and present dishes to a consistently high standard
- Lead from the front during busy services, working alongside the team
- Plan and organise kitchen preparation and service to ensure an efficient operation
- Develop and improve menus, daily specials and seasonal dishes
- Maintain consistency in portion sizes, presentation and food quality
- Manage food ordering, stock levels and supplier relationships
- Monitor food costs, portion control and wastage to help maintain healthy margins
- Ensure excellent standards of cleanliness, food hygiene and food safety throughout the kitchen
- Maintain appropriate food safety records and ensure procedures are followed correctly
- Manage kitchen rotas and ensure the kitchen is appropriately staffed
- Train, support and develop members of the kitchen team
- Help recruit new kitchen staff when required
- Ensure equipment is properly used, cleaned and maintained
- Work closely with the Café Manager and front-of-house team to deliver smooth and efficient service
- Take ownership of problems and help continually improve the way the kitchen operates
Experience
We’re looking for someone with:
- Strong previous experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, Sous Chef or experienced senior chef
- The confidence and ability to run a busy kitchen and lead a team
- Strong cooking skills and a genuine interest in producing good-quality café food
- Experience with menu planning and development
- A good understanding of food costs, gross margins, portion control and waste management
- Experience with ordering, stock management and kitchen organisation
- Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, allergens and food safety requirements
- Good organisational skills and the ability to remain calm during busy services
- A positive leadership style and the ability to get the best from a team
- A practical, hands-on attitude and willingness to get stuck in
About the Role
This is not a desk-based management position. You'll spend a significant part of your working week in the kitchen, cooking and working alongside your team.
However, we're looking for more than just a good chef. We want someone who will take ownership of the kitchen — its food, people, organisation, cleanliness, costs and standards.
You'll have the freedom to contribute ideas and develop the food offering, backed by a management team that wants the café to continue to grow and improve.
If you're an experienced chef who enjoys leading a team and would like the opportunity to make a kitchen your own, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: £15.00-£16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
