Multiple Kitchen Positions — Head Chef / Sous Chef / Kitchen Porter
Yuzu Japanese Restaurant, 39 Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4EE
Job Overview
Join our dynamic culinary team at Yuzu, a busy 28-seat Japanese restaurant known for our kaisen don, tendon, and katsu sets, with regular queues out the door! We're seeking passionate, dedicated professionals to fill multiple kitchen positions: Head Chef, Sous Chef, and Kitchen Porter. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your culinary talent, contribute to a lively team, and deliver exceptional food experiences.
Whether you're leading the kitchen or supporting behind the scenes, your role is vital to creating memorable dining moments for our guests.
All positions are paid, and we welcome applicants with varying levels of experience eager to grow in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.
Roles & Pay
Head Chef —
£34,000–£42,500/year (DOE)
- Duties Lead and take full ownership of kitchen operations, ensuring high standards of food quality and presentation across every service
- Develop and refine the menu — kaisen don, tendon, katsu, and small plates — including new dish creation
- Manage food cost (GP%) and oversee ordering and supplier relationships
- Oversee all food safety practices (HACCP, allergen control, sashimi-grade seafood handling) and maintain cleanliness and hygiene throughout the kitchen
- Recruit, train, and manage the kitchen team, including Sous Chef and Kitchen Porters
- Handle Environmental Health Officer visits and food safety documentation
- Act as the key link between front-of-house and kitchen, ensuring smooth service flow during high-volume, queue-driven trading
Sous Chef —
£28,000–£33,000/year (DOE)
- Duties Support the Head Chef in running kitchen operations, stepping up as lead in their absence
- Prepare, cook, and plate dishes to Yuzu's recipes and standards during service
- Run sections during busy service (grill, fry/tendon-katsu, cold/sashimi prep) to meet service times
- Support food safety practices, including HACCP logging and hygiene standards Mentor and supervise junior staff and
Kitchen Porters
National Minimum/Living Wage rate for your age band (£8.00–£12.71/hr)
- Fostering a positive team environment
- Assist with inventory control, stock rotation (FIFO), and goods-in checks
- Support menu testing and portion consistency Kitchen Porter
- Wash up (crockery, pans, utensils) and keep a clean, organised pass
- Carry out basic food prep as directed (washing, peeling, portioning)
- Take deliveries and help put away stock
- Maintain bin management and kitchen/back-of-house cleaning schedules
- Support HACCP and hygiene standards throughout the kitchen
- Assist chefs during service (running items, replenishing sections)
- No formal experience required — full training given, just reliability and a strong work ethic
- Proven supervisory experience within a busy kitchen or restaurant environment (Head Chef/Sous Chef)
- Strong culinary skills, with expertise in food preparation and cooking techniques
- Excellent team management abilities to motivate and coordinate kitchen staff
- Knowledge of UK food safety regulations and best practice in hospitality settings
- Hands-on kitchen experience across various roles, including food production
- Leadership qualities with the ability to handle high-pressure situations calmly
- Effective communication skills to collaborate with team members and management
Embark on a rewarding culinary journey with us! We're committed to a lively, inclusive atmosphere where your skills can flourish. If you're passionate about food, dedicated to excellence, and eager to join a motivated team, we want to hear from you!
Pay: £10.85-£18.49 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Profit sharing
Work Location: In person
