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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen, crafting seasonal seafood and vegetable dishes.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, renowned for exceptional food and service since 1996.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like personal development, private medical eligibility, and holiday purchase schemes.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting new restaurant with stunning views and a creative team culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-quality kitchens, especially with seafood and seasonal ingredients.
- Other info: Collaborate with a tight-knit team and shape a unique food and beer experience.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Craft, Creativity and Community - we are Company of Cooks! These are our values, and they go far beyond corporate waffle. In fact, they set the tone for everything we do. Company of Cooks have been working with some of the UK's most cherished venues since 1996, delighting customers and clients alike with great food and drinks, brilliant service and an absolute focus on the details that make good restaurants, cafes and bars, great ones. In October 2019 the company was brought into the CH&CO family. The completion of the deal saw Company of Cooks become the group's go-to operators in heritage and performance venues, art galleries and destinations. We are excited to be recruiting for a Head Chef for a new opening.
Location: Rooftop Restaurant - Covent Garden
Overview
We’re looking for an experienced, passionate, and creative Head Chef to lead the kitchen of our standout seafood and vegetable restaurant in central London. With stunning views and an open, lively atmosphere, this unique restaurant will celebrate the best of British waters and the freshest seasonal produce, cooked simply and beautifully. Think oysters, day boat fish, vibrant vegetables, and clever plant-based dishes - all designed to pair perfectly with the beers brewed on-site. You’ll lead a team of 12 chefs in one of the most exciting food and drink projects in the city. This is a role for a chef who thrives in busy, high-energy environments and brings a modern, thoughtful, and clean style of cooking to the table.
The Role:
- Lead all kitchen operations for the 5th floor restaurant, delivering consistent, high-quality food during busy daily service.
- Design and develop menus that reflect the seasons, the sea, and the land-rooted in flavour, elegance, and simplicity.
- Create dishes that pair with brewed beers, from briny oysters and grilled fish to roasted veg and fermented elements.
- Manage, train, and inspire a team of 12 chefs, setting the tone for a positive and professional kitchen culture.
- Ensure standards of consistency, cleanliness, organisation, and communication are kept high at all times.
- Work in collaboration with the Executive Chef, Head Pastry Chef, and other Head Chefs on-site as part of a cohesive leadership team.
- Manage kitchen stocks, ordering, GP, training plans, and rota efficiency.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience leading a high-quality, high-volume kitchen, ideally with a seafood or produce-led focus.
- Deep understanding of fish and seafood preparation, with a love for seasonal British ingredients and plant-led cooking.
- A calm, clean, and organised chef who can balance refinement with pace.
- Someone who cooks with passion and precision, flavour, taste, and product first.
- A strong communicator and leader who builds fun, inclusive, learning-forward teams.
- Someone who’s excited by beer and food pairings and wants to help shape a restaurant with a unique point of view.
Join us and...
- Lead a rooftop kitchen in one of London’s most exciting hospitality launches.
- Work with exceptional produce, in a forward-thinking business.
- Help define a new style of food and beer experience.
- Be part of a tight-knit team of senior chefs with shared goals, support, and creativity.
What’s in it for you? Working with Company of Cooks has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Pension scheme.
- Holiday allowance.
- Private medical eligibility.
- Eye care.
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance.
- Family friendly support.
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders.
- A holiday purchase scheme.
- Volunteering days.
- Professional subscriptions.
- Recognition schemes and people awards.
- Long service awards.
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers.
Head Chef- New Opening employer: CH&CO
Contact Detail:
CH&CO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef- New Opening
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in seafood and plant-based cooking. This will not only help you during interviews but also show your passion for the role and your commitment to creating innovative dishes that align with the restaurant's vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with other chefs and industry professionals, especially those who have experience in high-volume kitchens or seafood-focused restaurants. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you foster a positive kitchen culture. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed a team, as this will demonstrate your ability to inspire and train others.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Company of Cooks and their values thoroughly. Understanding their approach to food, service, and community will allow you to tailor your conversation and show how you can contribute to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef- New Opening
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company Culture: Familiarise yourself with Company of Cooks' values of Craft, Creativity, and Community. Reflect these values in your application to show that you align with their ethos.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience in leading high-quality kitchens, particularly those focused on seafood or seasonal produce. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Showcase Your Creativity: Since the role involves designing menus, include examples of your creative dishes or menu concepts in your application. This will help illustrate your culinary vision and passion for food.
Communicate Your Leadership Style: Discuss your approach to managing and inspiring a team. Highlight any previous experiences where you built a positive kitchen culture or trained junior chefs, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at CH&CO
✨Showcase Your Passion for Food
During the interview, make sure to express your genuine love for cooking and the culinary arts. Share specific examples of dishes you've created that highlight seasonal British ingredients or seafood, as this aligns perfectly with the restaurant's focus.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team of 12 chefs. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you inspire and manage a kitchen team. Highlight any previous experiences where you fostered a positive kitchen culture or mentored junior chefs.
✨Discuss Menu Development
Be ready to talk about your approach to menu design and how you incorporate seasonal produce and beer pairings into your dishes. Consider presenting a sample menu that reflects your creativity and understanding of flavour combinations.
✨Emphasise Organisation and Cleanliness
The role requires maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organisation in a busy kitchen. Share your strategies for keeping a kitchen running smoothly, especially during peak service times, and how you ensure consistency in food quality.
