At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire culinary teams across multiple locations while ensuring exceptional food quality.
- Company: Join Big Easy, a renowned brand in authentic American BBQ and seafood.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, and benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop future culinary leaders in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on culinary innovation and guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in high-volume restaurants and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Big Easy Restaurants is one of the UK's most recognised hospitality brands, known for authentic American BBQ, premium seafood, vibrant restaurants and exceptional guest experiences. We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Executive Head Chef to lead our culinary operation and support our restaurants across multiple locations. This is a senior leadership role for a passionate food professional who combines culinary excellence with strong business acumen, people leadership and operational expertise. You will play a key role in maintaining exceptional standards, developing kitchen teams and driving performance across the business.
The Role
- You will oversee kitchen operations across multiple sites, ensuring consistency, quality, profitability and compliance throughout the business.
- You will work closely with Head Chefs, General Managers and senior leadership to drive performance, support business growth and maintain the highest culinary standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop and inspire Head Chefs and kitchen management teams across multiple locations.
- Ensure exceptional food quality, consistency and presentation across all restaurants.
- Drive food cost, labour cost and productivity performance.
- Support operational projects, menu development and business growth initiatives.
- Build strong succession plans and develop future culinary talent.
- Conduct regular site visits, coaching sessions and operational audits.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, health and safety and company standards.
- Work collaboratively with Operations, Finance, Marketing and People teams to achieve business objectives.
- Analyse kitchen performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability and efficiency.
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation while protecting the integrity of the Big Easy brand.
About You
- Proven experience as an Executive Head Chef, Executive Chef, Group Head Chef or Senior Multi-Site Head Chef.
- Strong background in high-volume restaurants, premium casual dining, BBQ, grill, smokehouse, steakhouse or seafood operations.
- Experience leading multiple kitchens and large culinary teams.
- Strong commercial awareness with a solid understanding of food cost control, labour management and P&L performance.
- Experience implementing standards, training programmes and operational improvements.
- Exceptional leadership, coaching and people development skills.
- Strong organisational, planning and project management skills.
- Flexible and willing to travel between locations as required.
- Passion for hospitality, innovation and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Why Join Big Easy?
- Lead the culinary direction of an established hospitality brand.
- Work directly with senior leadership and influence business performance.
- Shape menus, standards, training and food innovation across multiple locations.
- Develop and mentor future culinary leaders.
- Competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.
- Genuine opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing business.
If you are an ambitious culinary leader looking for your next challenge within a dynamic hospitality business, we would love to hear from you.
Executive Head Chef in Poplar employer: Big Easy Restaurants Limited
Big Easy Restaurants is an exceptional employer that offers a vibrant work culture and a genuine opportunity for culinary professionals to lead and innovate within a well-established brand. With competitive salaries, bonuses, and a strong focus on employee development, you will have the chance to shape the culinary direction across multiple locations while mentoring future leaders in the industry. Join us to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment that values passion, creativity, and excellence in hospitality.
Contact Details:
Big Easy Restaurants Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Head Chef in Poplar
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, restaurant managers, and industry contacts. Attend culinary events or workshops to meet people who can help you land that Executive Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your culinary flair! Create a portfolio of your best dishes and menu ideas. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your passion for food and how you can elevate their brand.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to restaurants you admire, like Big Easy, and express your interest in working with them. A personal touch can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s culinary style and values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. And remember, apply through our website for a smoother process!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Head Chef in Poplar
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for culinary arts shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you in the kitchen. We want to see that you're not just about the food, but also about creating memorable guest experiences.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience in multi-site leadership and any specific achievements in high-volume restaurants. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their impact on business performance!
Be Clear About Your Leadership Style:In your application, describe how you lead and inspire kitchen teams. We value strong leadership skills, so share examples of how you've developed talent and driven performance in previous roles. Show us how you can build a strong culinary team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Big Easy family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Big Easy Restaurants Limited
✨Know Your Culinary Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your food cost control and P&L performance knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in previous roles and how you can drive profitability at Big Easy. They’ll want to see that you can balance culinary excellence with strong commercial awareness.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience leading kitchen teams and developing talent. Think of specific examples where you've inspired your team or implemented training programmes. This role is all about people leadership, so demonstrate how you can motivate and mentor others.
✨Be Ready for Operational Challenges
Expect questions about how you handle operational audits and compliance with food safety standards. Have a few scenarios in mind where you've successfully navigated challenges in multi-site operations. This will show that you’re not just a chef but a strategic leader.
✨Passion for Innovation
Big Easy values innovation, so come prepared with ideas for menu development or operational improvements. Share your thoughts on current food trends and how you can incorporate them into their brand while maintaining quality and consistency across locations.
