Up to £43,000
Who we are
Gooey started in Manchester in 2020 with a simple idea – make seriously good food that people get excited about.
We first made our name with our big,NYC-inspired cookies and doughnuts,baked fresh every day. Since then,Gooey has grown into much more. Our Northern Quarter neighbourhood bakery and café brought brunch,lunch and our own take on everyday favourites into the mix,and we’ve continued to grow the brand and take Gooey to new locations.
We’re proudly Manchester born,independent in spirit and not interested in doing things just because that’s how they’ve always been done.
Food is at the heart of everything we do. We care about great ingredients,bold flavours,generous portions and getting the details right – whether that’s one of our signature bakes,a perfectly executed brunch dish or something completely new.
But Gooey is also about the people behind the food. We want our kitchens to be places where people can learn,develop,bring ideas to the table and be proud of what they produce.
And we’re still growing.
That makes this a really exciting time to join us. As Gooey develops,there will be opportunities for the right people to grow with the business,take on more responsibility and play a genuine part in shaping what comes next.
The Role
We’re looking for an ambitious,passionate and hands-on Head Chef to lead our kitchen and help us deliver food that feels unmistakably Gooey.
This isn't a role for someone who just wants to keep the kitchen ticking over. We want someone who takes real ownership – of the food,the team,the standards and the numbers – and who gets a buzz from making things better.
You’ll lead from the front,creating a kitchen culture that is positive,organised and focused on quality. You'll develop your team,maintain consistently high standards and make sure every plate leaving the kitchen is something we're proud to serve.
You'll also have the opportunity to contribute ideas,influence menu development and work alongside the wider Gooey team as the brand continues to evolve.
For someone ambitious,there is plenty of scope to develop beyond the day-to-day Head Chef role. As Gooey grows,we want to develop our people with it,creating opportunities to take on wider responsibilities across food development,new openings,training and the broader kitchen operation.
What you'll be doing
As Head Chef,you'll take ownership of the kitchen operation,including:
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Leading,motivating and developing the kitchen team,creating an environment where people enjoy working and can perform at their best.
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Making sure every dish leaving the kitchen delivers the quality,consistency and generosity our customers expect from Gooey.
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Taking full responsibility for the organisation,preparation and smooth running of the kitchen.
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Leading by example and setting clear standards for your team.
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Recruiting,training and developing kitchen talent and helping people progress within Gooey.
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Managing food and labour costs,budgets and kitchen performance while never losing sight of quality.
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Delivering and improving GP targets and identifying opportunities to reduce waste and work smarter.
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Managing ordering,stock levels and stocktakes accurately and efficiently.
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Maintaining excellent standards of food safety,hygiene and allergen management and ensuring our HACCP and Food Safety Management procedures are followed at all times.
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Working closely with the wider management team to deliver a brilliant overall customer experience.
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Bringing ideas to the table and actively contributing to menu development,specials and future Gooey food concepts.
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Supporting the wider business as we grow,including new openings and the development of our kitchen teams and ways of working.
We're looking for someone who genuinely loves food and understands that being a great Head Chef is about much more than cooking.
You'll be commercially aware,comfortable with the numbers and confident managing a busy kitchen – but you'll also understand the importance of culture,leadership and developing a great team.
You'll be someone who:
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has strong experience in a senior kitchen role;
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is passionate about fresh,quality food;
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leads from the front and isn't afraid to get stuck in;
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has high standards and notices the details;
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knows how to build,motivate and develop a strong kitchen team;
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understands GP,labour,stock control,ordering and kitchen budgets;
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is organised and calm when things get busy;
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enjoys trying new ideas and challenging how things are done;
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takes food safety and allergen management seriously; and
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wants to grow their career as part of an ambitious and developing brand.
What we offer
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Competitive salary
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Share of service charge
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Genuine opportunities for career development and progression as Gooey grows
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The opportunity to get involved in menu development,new concepts and future openings
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Excellent training and development
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24/7 Employee Assistance and wellbeing programme
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Staff social events
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Staff referral scheme
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50% off food across our venues
We've come a long way since Gooey first launched in Manchester – but we're nowhere near finished.
If you're a Head Chef who loves great food,gets excited about developing people and wants the opportunity to put your stamp on a growing brand,we'd love to hear from you.
Salary is up to £43,000. £37,000 basic plus share of service charge / tips.
45 Hours per week. Weekend working is an essential part of this role.
