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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, creating fresh, high-quality dishes daily.
- Company: Join one of the UK's most successful restaurant groups with a focus on real cooking.
- 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 development and career progression.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills required.
- Other info: Join us for Loungefest, our legendary staff party, and enjoy shared tips and bonuses!
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our new opening and become part of one of the most successful restaurant groups in the UK. 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’ll be your responsibility to make each dish to spec, in a clean and safe kitchen, and to follow the lead of your Head Chef to make sure all prep and par is completed for each shift. You’ll be helping every customer leave happy. Which they tend to do. 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 Licenced 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 of 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 is rolling your sleeves up and 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 labour; stock; food safety requirements plus others.
- You will have worked in kitchen environments where you’re required to report on various metrics including GPs; labour/house; 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.
Head Chef - New Opening employer: Lounges
Contact Detail:
Lounges Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - New Opening
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with our restaurant group and its values. Understanding our commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients and customer-led cooking will help you align your passion with our mission during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the culinary community. Attend local food events or workshops where you can meet other chefs and industry professionals. This could lead to valuable connections that might help you get noticed for the Head Chef position.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past. Be prepared to discuss specific situations where you led by example and improved kitchen standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Research current food trends and be ready to discuss how you can incorporate them into our menu. Demonstrating your knowledge of what’s popular and your ability to innovate will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - New Opening
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Head Chef position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in managing kitchen teams and working with fresh ingredients.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should reflect your culinary journey, showcasing your skills in food preparation, hygiene practices, and team leadership. Include specific examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen operations and trained staff.
Write a Personalised Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for real cooking and how it aligns with the restaurant's ethos. Mention your unique approach to leading a kitchen and how you plan to contribute to the team's success.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to meet KPIs, manage stock, and ensure food safety. Use metrics where possible to quantify your success in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lounges
✨Show Your Passion for Real Cooking
Make sure to express your love for real cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you've created using fresh ingredients and how you prioritise quality in your kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Highlight your experience in managing kitchen staff, training new chefs, and maintaining high standards. Be ready to discuss how you motivate your team and handle challenges.
✨Know Your KPIs
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to kitchen management. Be prepared to discuss how you've used metrics like GP, labour costs, and food safety compliance to improve kitchen operations in your previous roles.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Have thoughtful questions ready about the restaurant's vision, menu development, and team dynamics. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
