Kitchen Manager – The Flying Monk Café
We’re looking for an experienced, energetic and hands-on Kitchen Manager to take ownership of the kitchen at The Flying Monk Café.
The Flying Monk is an independent café and hospitality venue based at Bradfield Manor Farm, Hullavington. We’re building a relaxed, welcoming place known for great coffee, quality food and friendly service — and we need someone who can lead the kitchen with the same energy and attention to detail.
This is very much a hands-on role. You’ll be cooking alongside the team during service while also taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, including food quality, ordering, stock control, food safety and team standards.
The Role
As Kitchen Manager, you will:
- Lead the kitchen during daily service, ensuring food is prepared and presented consistently and to a high standard.
- Work hands-on alongside the team with food preparation and cooking.
- Organise the kitchen team and ensure services run smoothly, efficiently and calmly.
- Maintain excellent food hygiene, cleanliness and food safety standards at all times.
- Ensure all required food safety records, temperature checks and kitchen documentation are completed correctly.
- Manage stock levels, ordering, deliveries and supplier relationships.
- Monitor food waste, portion control and kitchen costs to help maintain strong gross profit margins.
- Ensure prep levels are appropriate for expected trade while minimising unnecessary waste.
- Train, support and develop kitchen team members.
- Work closely with the front-of-house team to ensure customers receive great food and great service.
- Help develop seasonal dishes, specials and new menu ideas that suit The Flying Monk and can be delivered consistently during busy service.
- Maintain high standards of kitchen organisation, equipment care and cleanliness.
- Take genuine ownership of the kitchen and help us continuously improve how we operate.
About You
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has strong previous experience working in a professional kitchen.
- Has experience supervising or managing a kitchen team.
- Is confident running a busy service and managing several priorities at once.
- Has excellent knowledge of food hygiene, allergens and food safety procedures.
- Understands stock control, ordering, portion control and food cost management.
- Leads by example and is happy to get stuck in rather than simply manage from the sidelines.
- Is organised, dependable and able to maintain standards even when things get busy.
- Enjoys working as part of a small, friendly team.
- Takes pride in producing simple, high-quality food consistently.
- Brings ideas and enthusiasm but also understands the importance of keeping a menu practical, efficient and commercially viable.
Previous experience in a busy café, brunch venue, farm shop, restaurant or similar hospitality business would be particularly useful.
What We Offer
This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to have a real influence over a growing independent business rather than simply stepping into a large corporate kitchen.
You’ll have the opportunity to shape the kitchen, develop the team, contribute ideas to the menu and play a major part in establishing The Flying Monk as a destination people want to return to.
If you’re a strong cook, an organised leader and someone who takes pride in running a brilliant kitchen, we’d love to hear from you.
Pay: £27,000.00-£33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
