Head Chef – Future Corporate Chef Opportunity
Location: FiLLi Cafe, Marylebone, London
Salary: £32,000–£36,000 per annum (Depending on Experience)
Job Type: Full-time | Permanent
Looking to Take the Next Step in Your Culinary Career?
FiLLi Cafe is an internationally recognised café brand, famous for its signature Karak Chai and vibrant menu inspired by Indian and contemporary café cuisine. As we continue to expand across the UK through company-owned stores and franchising, we are looking for an ambitious and passionate Head Chef to lead our flagship Marylebone kitchen.
This role is ideal for an experienced Sous Chef from an independent restaurant, café, or casual dining environment who is ready to take the next step into a Head Chef position.
More than just running a kitchen, this is an opportunity to grow with the business. As FiLLi Cafe UK expands, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to progress into a Corporate Chef role, leading new store openings, training kitchen teams, developing menus, and maintaining culinary standards across multiple locations.
About the Role
As Head Chef, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the kitchen, ensuring exceptional food quality, efficient operations, and a well-trained, motivated team.
Working closely with the Operations Manager, you will play an important role in improving kitchen performance, maintaining food cost targets, introducing new products, and preparing the business for future expansion.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the daily operation of the kitchen and ensure smooth service.
- Supervise, coach, and motivate the kitchen team.
- Maintain high standards of food quality, consistency, and presentation.
- Ensure compliance with Food Safety, HACCP, Health & Safety, and company procedures.
- Train and develop chefs and kitchen assistants.
- Manage stock ordering, inventory, supplier deliveries, and stock rotation.
- Monitor food cost, reduce waste, and improve kitchen profitability.
- Prepare and maintain recipe cards and kitchen SOPs.
- Work with the Operations Manager on menu engineering and product profitability.
- Develop and trial new menu items and seasonal specials.
- Maintain a clean, organised, and efficient kitchen at all times.
- Support operational improvements and kitchen projects during quieter trading periods.
Career Progression
At FiLLi Cafe, we believe in developing talent from within.
As the business grows, this role offers the opportunity to progress into a Corporate Chef position, where you will:
- Lead kitchen operations across multiple FiLLi Cafe locations.
- Support the opening of new stores throughout the UK.
- Recruit, train, and develop Head Chefs and kitchen teams.
- Standardise recipes and maintain culinary consistency across all stores.
- Lead menu development and seasonal product launches.
- Conduct kitchen audits and implement best practices.
- Work closely with senior management to improve food quality, operational efficiency, and profitability.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who has:
- At least 3 years' experience as a Sous Chef, Senior Sous Chef, or Head Chef, ideally within an independent restaurant, café, or casual dining business.
- Strong knowledge of Indian and Continental cuisine.
- Experience leading a busy kitchen and developing junior chefs.
- A good understanding of food costing, stock control, ordering, and waste management.
- Excellent organisational and leadership skills.
- A passion for creating high-quality food and improving kitchen standards.
- A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and desire to build a long-term career.
- A Level 2 Food Safety qualification (preferred).
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £32,000–£36,000 depending on experience.
- Performance-based bonus.
- Staff meals while on duty.
- Company pension.
- Paid annual leave.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Genuine career progression within a growing international café brand.
- The opportunity to help shape the culinary future of FiLLi Cafe UK.
Why Join FiLLi Cafe?
This is a unique opportunity to join FiLLi Cafe at an exciting stage of growth. We're looking for someone who wants to build more than a job—they want to build a career.
If you're an experienced Sous Chef ready to lead your own kitchen, develop your team, and grow into a future Corporate Chef, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today with your CV and take the next step in your culinary career with FiLLi Cafe UK.
Pay: £32,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Work Location: In person
