Overview
We’re looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Café Assistant Manager / Chef to join our team.
This is a hands-on kitchen-based role, ideally suited to someone who enjoys cooking but is also ready to take on additional responsibility within a busy café. You’ll spend the majority of your working time in the kitchen, preparing and cooking food, maintaining high standards and helping to keep service running smoothly.
Alongside your chef duties, you’ll support the Café Manager with the day-to-day running of the café, helping to lead the team, maintain excellent standards and step up to manage the operation when required.
We’re looking for someone practical, reliable and organised who leads by example and is equally comfortable cooking during a busy service, managing stock, supporting colleagues and dealing with customers when needed.
Duties
- Prepare, cook and present café dishes to a consistently high standard
- Take a hands-on role in the kitchen during service, working alongside the rest of the team
- Help organise and manage kitchen workflow to ensure efficient and timely service
- Support the Café Manager with the day-to-day running of the café
- Take responsibility for the café and team in the Café Manager’s absence
- Lead by example, helping to motivate, support and develop both kitchen and front-of-house staff
- Maintain excellent standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and food safety
- Assist with menu development, specials and improving the café's food offering
- Monitor stock levels, assist with ordering and help control food costs and wastage
- Ensure food is stored, prepared and recorded correctly in line with food safety procedures
- Help with staff training and maintaining consistent working practices
- Support front-of-house service when required and help ensure customers receive a friendly and efficient experience
- Deal confidently and professionally with any operational or customer issues that arise
Experience
We’re looking for someone with:
- Good previous experience working as a chef or cook in a busy café, restaurant or similar hospitality environment
- The ability to confidently prepare and cook food during a busy service
- Previous supervisory, senior chef or management experience
- A strong understanding of food hygiene, food safety and kitchen procedures
- Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise during busy periods
- A positive, practical approach and willingness to get stuck in wherever needed
- The confidence to lead a team and take responsibility for the café when required
- Good communication skills and a friendly, professional manner
- Experience with stock control, ordering and reducing food waste would be advantageous
About the Role
This isn't a management role where you'll spend your day in an office. You'll be an important part of the kitchen team and will spend most of your working day cooking and helping deliver service.
At the same time, we're looking for someone who can see the bigger picture, support the Café Manager and help make sure the whole café operates effectively.
For the right person, this is a great opportunity to combine a love of cooking with the opportunity to develop further into café management.
Pay: £14.00-£15.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
