Head Chef – New Daytime-Only Restaurant Opening in Cambridge
Opening November 2026
An established independent hospitality business is opening a brand-new daytime-only restaurant in central Cambridge, and we’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen from the very beginning.
This is our third venue, so while we’re new to Cambridge, we’re not new to hospitality. You’ll be joining an experienced independent business with a proven track record, established systems and a senior team behind you — but with the opportunity to put your own stamp on a completely new kitchen and team.
Our food is fresh, creative and made from scratch, with a strong focus on brunch and daytime dining. We care about big flavours, great ingredients, generous plates and consistently high standards.
And there’s one fairly big difference to many Head Chef roles: we’re daytime only.
You’ll still get the pace, creativity and buzz of a busy restaurant kitchen — but without the late-night finishes that usually come with it.
We’re looking for someone who takes real pride in what they do, loves food, enjoys leading people and wants genuine ownership of their kitchen.
This isn't a role where you'll simply inherit a kitchen and follow a manual. We want a Head Chef who will take ownership of the food, the team and the day-to-day running of the kitchen, while working closely with an experienced senior team to continue developing what we do.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day running of a busy, fresh-food kitchen, delivering consistently great food even during high-volume services.
- Take real ownership of the kitchen and contribute to new dishes, seasonal specials and ongoing menu development.
- Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team, creating a positive environment where people enjoy coming to work and standards remain high.
- Maintain excellent standards of flavour, presentation and consistency across every service.
- Manage prep, ordering, stock and kitchen organisation to ensure services are smooth, efficient and properly prepared.
- Recruit, train and develop chefs as the Cambridge team grows.
- Take responsibility for food safety, allergens, cleanliness and kitchen compliance.
- Manage food costs, wastage and portion control without compromising food quality.
- Work closely with the FOH management team — we believe the best restaurants operate as one team rather than creating a divide between the kitchen and front of house.
- Help shape the food culture of a brand-new restaurant and make the kitchen your own.
What We're Looking For
- Strong experience in a professional, fresh-food kitchen.
- Previous experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or in another senior kitchen position.
- A genuine passion for food, flavour and presentation.
- Confidence leading, motivating and developing a kitchen team.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to stay calm and maintain standards during busy services.
- Good understanding of food costs, stock management, ordering and waste control.
- Excellent knowledge of food safety, allergens and kitchen compliance.
- Someone who enjoys being hands-on and leading from the front.
- A positive, collaborative approach to working with both kitchen and FOH teams.
The Role
Location: Central Cambridge
Hours: Daytime only – no late-night finishes
Pay: £15.61–£18.50 per hour, depending on experience
Opening: November 2026
If you're an experienced chef looking for your next challenge and like the idea of leading a brand-new kitchen without sacrificing your evenings, we'd love to hear from you.
Interested? Let's start a conversation.
Pay: £15.61-£18.25 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
