Head Chef / Exec Chef, Latin-American Restaurant & Events Space in London

Head Chef / Exec Chef Independent Latin-American Neighbourhood Restaurant Archies Herne Hill, South London
£50,000 including tronc, plus performance bonus
Two consecutive days off | Usually two evening finishes per week
About the opportunity Archies is looking for a talented Head Chef to lead the next stage of our Latin-American food development at Herne Hill.
The role has three main priorities: developing our menu alongside one of our senior Directors, training and developing the kitchen team, and ensuring consistently excellent execution during every service.
Youll inherit a settled four-chef team, including two chefs who have been with us since opening, with no immediate recruitment gaps to fill.
This is a hands-on leadership role with meaningful creative influence, proper operational support and the potential to develop into a wider group-level position across Archies two London restaurants.
A neighbourhood restaurant with a better balance Archies is an ambitious neighbourhood restaurantnot a high-stress Central or West End London operation.
We are busy and take our food seriously, but our atmosphere is personal, collaborative and grounded in the local community. Our customers know us, our team knows each other and we believe excellent food can be delivered without creating an unhealthy kitchen culture.
The role offers:
Two consecutive days off every week
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings off
Usually only two evening finishes per week
Regular evening finishes at approximately 910pm
An established kitchen team with no immediate vacancies to fill
Proper support with operations, recruitment and financial reporting
Clear and achievable performance expectations
Your main priorities Menu development One of Archies senior Directors is already closely involved in menu development and will continue to work in partnership with the Head Chef.
Together, you will:
Develop and evolve our seasonal menus
Introduce new ideas while retaining the dishes our customers love
Test, refine, specify and cost new dishes
Balance creativity with quality, speed of service, customer appeal and GP
Develop food for regular service, specials and private events
Ensure menu changes are properly introduced to the kitchen team
You will have meaningful influence over the food, while benefiting from the knowledge and support of someone who already understands Archies customers and food direction.
Team training Lead, support and develop our established four-chef team
Set clear expectations for preparation, presentation and service
Train every chef to execute each dish correctly and consistently
Identify skills gaps and provide practical coaching
Develop stronger chefs and future kitchen leaders
Create a culture based on pride, accountability, respect and continuous improvement
Execution Lead calm, organised and consistently strong services
Ensure every dish meets its agreed specification
Improve preparation, communication and kitchen organisation
Maintain standards across brunch, lunch, dinner and private events
Review service issues and turn them into practical improvements
Deliver consistency regardless of which team members are working
Operational responsibilities Alongside these three priorities, youll take responsibility for:
Ordering, stock control, waste and food GP
Kitchen rotas and labour management
Recipe specifications, allergen information and kitchen systems
Food safety, hygiene and health and safety
Equipment care and kitchen organisation
Supporting approximately one to four private events each month
Youll work within a clearly defined kitchen labour budget. Food GP, labour and customer-experience targets are agreed in advance and tracked transparently through Tenzo, with weekly and monthly performance reviews.
About you You may already be an experienced Head Chef, or you may be an accomplished Senior Sous Chef ready to take ownership of a kitchen with the right support around you.
Youll need:
Strong experience within a quality, busy professional kitchen
The ability to lead, train and develop a small team
Confidence contributing to menu development
A sound understanding of food GP, stock, waste and labour
A calm, organised and positive approach to service
The ability to balance creativity with commercial reality
High standards without shouting, ego or unnecessary drama
The confidence to identify improvements and bring people with you
The right to work in the UK
A Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification is preferred, although we can arrange this for the right candidate.
Salary and benefits £44,000£47,000 total annual earnings, including tronc
Additional achievable performance bonus
Bonus linked to transparent food GP, labour and customer standards
Two consecutive days off
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings off
Usually only two evening finishes per week
Free meals on shifts longer than six hours
Staff discount at Archies
Team outings, parties, incentives and rewards
Direct access to the owners and senior decision-makers
Potential progression into a group-level role
About Archies Archies Herne Hill is a colourful independent restaurant, bar and event space moments from Herne Hill station and opposite Brockwell Park.
We serve quality-led food throughout the dayfrom brunch and lunch through to dinneralongside drinks, music, private parties and community events. Our open kitchen sits at the centre of the restaurant, and we care about creating somewhere that is as good to work in as it is to visit.
If you want meaningful influence over the food, an established team, sensible working patterns and the opportunity to make a visible difference within a growing independent business, wed love to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV and a short note explaining what interests you about Archies and what you would bring to the role.
Job type: Full-time, permanent
Location: Archies Herne Hill, London in person
Expected earnings: £44,000£47,000 including tronc, plus performance bonus

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