At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen, manage stock, and train an enthusiastic team.
- Company: Award-winning Brixton restaurant known for its incredible burgers and fried chicken.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, free food, employee discounts, and a fun work environment.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy and the chance to shape the future of our restaurant.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make your mark in a celebrated restaurant.
- Qualifications: Previous Head Chef experience and a love for food and leadership.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 47000 £ per year.
Pay: £42,000.00-£47,000.00 per year
We're looking for a new Head Chef to take the reins at our Brixton Restaurant. We've been open for 5 years and won the National Burger of the Year award 2025, got named Time Out 3rd best burger in the world 2026, and the national fried chicken awards 2026! So if you're a Head Chef with great energy, leadership skills and an entrepreneurial spirit, you'll thrive in this role. The restaurant is around 50-60 covers with a strong mix of in house and delivery sales.
About the Role
- Ordering + Stock Management
- Recruitment + Training + Team Management
- Maintaining Hygiene standards + Due Diligence
- Making sure we have everything on the menu, all the time.
- Building on and maintaining our great company culture.
Work life balance and autonomy are really important to us and we're constantly looking to support you to achieve that not just for yourself but your team too. Strong relationship with the front of house. We don't see the pass as a divide, we've always encouraged constructive and productive relationships between foh and boh.
Systems we're using:
- Planday (Rotas)
- FoodAlert / Alert65 (Due Diligence)
- Supy (ordering and stock management)
- AllGravy (Training)
- Vita Mojo/ Deliveroo (EPOS)
- Google Sheets (reporting)
Pay + Contract
This is a 42h/wk full time contract that requires a mix of opens/closes over 5 days a week. Whilst you write your own rota, we'll need you to lead from the front and have a presence over all operating hours. The pay is a mix of basic, service charge, Deliveroo bonus and annual bonus.
- Basic (£34k/yr)
- Service Charge (around £7-10k/yr) based on contractual hours
- Weekly Target Based Deliveroo Bonus (£2.6k/yr) payable fortnightly on weekly targets
- Annual Target Based Bonus (£4k/yr) payable quarterly
This means a very achievable annual take home of £45k+.
About You
- Previous Head Chef experience is essential, with at least 2-3 years in a similar sized location.
- Passion for service, people and food. Our burger is insanely good and we're famous for it, but the atmosphere and team are just as important to the guest experience.
- Great leadership skills. This really will be your kitchen and a big part of your role is to inject your energy and positivity into the atmosphere.
- Taking the time to train and mentor your team.
- Great initiative and confident to take ownership of your site.
- Working closely with Head Office on projects to move the business forward.
If this sounds like something you're interested in we'd love to hear from you!
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Store discount
Head Chef in Kennington employer: Black Bear Burger
Join our award-winning Brixton restaurant as a Head Chef, where you'll not only lead a passionate team but also enjoy a vibrant work culture that values autonomy and creativity. With a focus on work-life balance, we offer competitive pay, including service charge and bonuses, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth. Be part of a dynamic environment that encourages collaboration and innovation, making every day rewarding and meaningful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Kennington
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the restaurant's vibe before your interview. Swing by for a meal, chat with the staff, and soak up the atmosphere. This will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Think of examples where you've successfully managed a team or improved kitchen operations. We want to see your energy and how you can bring that to the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your culinary skills; highlight your passion for service and people. Share stories that demonstrate how you’ve created a positive atmosphere in previous kitchens. It’s all about the experience you create for guests and your team!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Kennington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your previous Head Chef experience in your application. We want to see how you've led kitchens before and what makes you the perfect fit for our award-winning restaurant!
Inject Your Personality:Let your passion for food and service shine through in your written application. We’re all about great energy and a positive atmosphere, so don’t be shy about sharing your unique vibe!
Be Specific About Skills:When listing your skills, be specific! Mention your experience with stock management systems like Supy or training tools like AllGravy. We love seeing candidates who are familiar with the tools we use.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to get your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important details about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Black Bear Burger
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the restaurant's menu and any signature dishes. Be ready to discuss how you would maintain and innovate on these offerings, especially since they’ve won awards. This shows your passion for food and your understanding of what makes their cuisine special.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you foster a positive kitchen environment. Think of specific examples where you've successfully trained or mentored your team. This role is all about energy and positivity, so let that shine through in your answers!
✨Demonstrate Your Operational Savvy
Familiarise yourself with the systems mentioned in the job description, like Planday and FoodAlert. Being able to discuss how you would manage stock, orders, and hygiene standards using these tools will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Service
The restaurant values great service just as much as great food. Be prepared to share your thoughts on creating an exceptional guest experience and how you would ensure that both the front of house and back of house work seamlessly together. This will highlight your understanding of the overall dining experience.
