Kitchen Manager Wanted
Ong Lai Kopitiam | Malaysian Restaurant in Canary Wharf | Full-Time | Immediate Start
Run the kitchen. Deliver the craft.
At Ong Lai Kopitiam, we serve the true soul of Malaysian street food culture—from rich beef rendang simmered low and slow to fragrant sambals and signature noodle dishes. Our menu and recipes are developed in-house with authentic techniques; we need an organized, standards-driven Kitchen Manager to take the reins back-of-house, lead the brigade, and ensure every single dish is executed with consistency and pride.
If you are an operational powerhouse who thrives in high-volume services, takes ownership of kitchen hygiene and food safety, and leads a team with clarity and respect, this is your place.
What You'll Earn
- £34,000 – £35,000 base salary (depending on experience)
- High service charge (Tronc) on top — significantly boosting your take-home pay
The Full Package
Financial & Operations Support
- Workplace pension scheme
- Paid annual leave
- Tronc
Food & Perks
- Free delicious staff meal on every shift
- Generous staff discount when dining off-shift (plus discounts for friends & family)
- Exposure to authentic Southeast Asian ingredients, recipes, and production methods
Culture & Leadership
- Lead a tight-knit, passionate kitchen team with strong support from ownership
- High level of autonomy in managing operations, staffing, and kitchen systems
- Clear progression opportunities as our brand continues to grow
What You'll Do
- Kitchen Leadership: Lead, train, and manage line chefs and kitchen assistants, fostering a disciplined yet supportive work culture.
- Flawless Execution: Maintain strict consistency and plating standards for all in-house developed recipes.
- Planning & Rotas: Build balanced, efficient weekly staff rotas to ensure optimal shift coverage and labor control.
- Stock & Cost Control: Conduct regular stock checks, manage inventory, minimize wastage, and oversee supplier ordering.
- Compliance & Hygiene: Act as the primary point of contact for Environmental Health Officers (EHO), maintaining pristine kitchen hygiene, allergen compliance, and food safety records.
Who We're Looking For
- Proven experience as a Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, or Senior Sous Chef in a fast-paced restaurant environment
- Level 3 Food Safety and Hygiene certification (essential)
- Confident track record with EHO compliance, food safety management systems, and health inspections
- Strong organizational skills with experience managing stock, rotas, and food margins
- A calm, decisive communicator who leads by example during busy services
Why Ong Lai Kopitiam?
We are an ambitious, independent restaurant with a loyal following in Canary Wharf. You won't just be running a kitchen you’ll be the operational anchor of our team, ensuring our food standards remain unmatched.
To apply: Send your CV and a brief note outlining your management experience.
Pay: £34,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
