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- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, creating fresh, high-quality dishes daily.
- Company: Join Loungers, where real cooking and real people come together to delight customers.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff discounts, paid breaks, and 28 days holiday pro-rata.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for personal growth and exciting incentives.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills required.
- Other info: Celebrate with the most talked-about staff party in hospitality—Loungefest!
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
You love real cooking. We love real cooking. Customers love real cooking. It\’s a no-brainer, so you wonder why so many other places don\’t do it. We do it, and you\’ll be doing it with us—fresh, customer-led, and with high-quality ingredients. We also love our real people who run Lounges. The person who runs these brilliant people has to be super-brilliant, and that\’ll be you. Your standards will be as high as ours, but exactly how you do it will be unique to you.
You\’ll be doing it your way. You\’ll be part of a dedicated, supportive team, working from our flexible all-day menu to give people food that\’ll make their day. It will be your responsibility to make each dish to spec, in a clean and safe kitchen, and to ensure all prep and par are completed for each shift. You\’ll help every customer leave happy—thanks to your great food.
The Good Stuff
- Overtime pay for every hour worked over contracted hours!
- Staff food on every shift
- 50% off staff discount to enjoy outside working hours from day one
- Paid breaks
- 28 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays) pro-rata
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after 2 years\’ service
- The most talked-about staff party in hospitality—Loungefest!
- Competitions and incentives (like jetting off on an all-expenses-paid trip with one of our suppliers)
- Company pension scheme
- Long service awards
- Power over your pay with Wagestream
- Emotional and practical support via the Licensed Trade Charity
- Great opportunity for personal development and career progression in a fast-growing business
- Achievable bonuses
- Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
- Christmas and Boxing Day off!
What you\’ll bring
- You are probably an existing Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef looking for your first step into a Head Chef role.
- You will have experience working with fresh ingredients and be able to demonstrate good chef/kitchen skills (food prep hot and cold, cleaning, knife skills, good hygiene practices).
- Your work ethic involves rolling up your sleeves, getting stuck in, and leading from the front; playing an active role in delivering excellent kitchen and food standards as part of a high-performing team.
- Familiar with managing through clear KPIs and making decisions considering labor, stock, food safety requirements, and others.
- You will have worked in kitchen environments where you\’re required to report on various metrics including GPs, labor, and food preparation.
- You will have demonstrated successful delivery of training and recruitment for kitchen teams including Apprentices, KPs, Chefs, Junior Sous Chefs, and Sous Chefs.
If you want to find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn or @life.at.loungers on TikTok and Instagram
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head Chef employer: The Lounges
Contact Detail:
The Lounges Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with our menu and cooking style. Understanding the fresh, customer-led approach we take will help you demonstrate your passion for real cooking during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past. Highlighting your experience in training and recruitment will set you apart as a candidate who can lead our dedicated team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your familiarity with KPIs and metrics relevant to kitchen management. Being able to articulate how you've used these in previous roles will demonstrate your ability to maintain high standards and make informed decisions.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with us on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. This not only shows your interest in our company culture but also gives you insights into our values and what it means to be part of our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the Head Chef role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and expectations outlined in the job description, especially regarding fresh ingredients and kitchen management.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef. Emphasise your skills in food preparation, hygiene practices, and team leadership. Make sure to include specific examples of how you've managed kitchen teams and maintained high standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for real cooking and your alignment with the company's values. Share your unique approach to leading a kitchen and how you plan to contribute to the team's success. Be sure to mention any relevant achievements or experiences.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application demonstrates attention to detail, which is crucial in a kitchen environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Lounges
✨Show Your Passion for Real Cooking
Make sure to express your love for real cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've used fresh, high-quality ingredients in your previous roles and how that aligns with the company's values.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams, trained staff, and maintained high standards in a busy environment.
✨Know Your KPIs
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to kitchen management, such as GP percentages, labour costs, and food safety metrics. Be ready to discuss how you've managed these in past roles and how you plan to do so in this position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in the kitchen, how you resolved them, and what you learned from those experiences. This will showcase your ability to think on your feet.
