Chef — Job Overview
Hanawata is seeking reliable, motivated, and team-focused Chefs to join our kitchen team at our Japanese Donburi & Izakaya restaurant in Cannon Street, London. This role may be suitable for different kitchen levels, including Commis Chef, Chef de Partie, Junior Sous Chef, Sous Chef, or other general chef positions, depending on the applicant’s skills and experience.
The Chef will support daily kitchen preparation and service by preparing ingredients, cooking dishes, maintaining food quality, following kitchen procedures, and working closely with the wider team to ensure a smooth and consistent guest experience.
Previous kitchen experience is beneficial but not always mandatory, depending on the position level. We are looking for applicants who are reliable, organised, able to learn quickly, and willing to follow Hanawata’s kitchen standards. Training will be provided for suitable candidates with the right attitude, work ethic, and ability to develop within the role.
Duties
- Prepare, cook, and present dishes according to Hanawata’s recipes, portioning, and presentation standards.
- Complete daily mise en place and preparation tasks before and during service.
- Support the preparation of donburi, izakaya-style dishes, sauces, garnishes, and other menu items.
- Maintain consistency in food quality, taste, portioning, and presentation.
- Follow food hygiene, health and safety, and kitchen cleanliness procedures at all times.
- Store, label, date, and rotate ingredients correctly according to kitchen standards.
- Assist with stock control, delivery checks, and reporting low-stock items when required.
- Keep the kitchen section, equipment, fridges, and storage areas clean and organised.
- Work efficiently during busy lunch and dinner service periods.
- Communicate clearly with chefs, kitchen porters, runners, and front-of-house staff.
- Support junior team members where appropriate and follow instructions from senior chefs.
- Help reduce food waste and maintain efficient use of ingredients.
- Report any food quality, equipment, safety, or operational issues to senior kitchen staff.
- Support the wider kitchen team with reasonable duties required for smooth restaurant operation.
Required Job Experience
- Previous experience in a restaurant, café, hotel, catering kitchen, or food preparation role is preferred but not mandatory for junior-level positions.
- Experience in Japanese cuisine, donburi, izakaya-style food, or Asian cuisine is desirable but not essential.
- Applicants should be able to learn quickly and follow kitchen instructions accurately.
- Basic cooking skills, knife skills, and food preparation knowledge are beneficial.
- Understanding of food hygiene, safe food handling, and kitchen safety is beneficial.
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Good attention to detail, especially with preparation, portioning, timing, and presentation.
- Ability to work well as part of a team and communicate clearly during service.
- Reliable attendance, punctuality, and a strong work ethic are expected.
- A positive attitude, willingness to learn, and commitment to maintaining kitchen standards are essential.
Pay: £14.00-£20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
