At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team and create exceptional Italian dishes in a vibrant setting.
- Company: Join the iconic Royal Opera House and be part of a unique culinary experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, staff dining, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture with great career growth and regular social events.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a prestigious venue while inspiring a passionate kitchen team.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef, with a love for quality food.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 £ per year.
Set within the iconic Royal Opera House, Cicoria is an Italian restaurant and terrace bar created in partnership with Angela Hartnett. The food is seasonal, ingredient led and rooted in the clarity and restraint of Italian cooking, delivered with consistency, confidence and care.
We are looking for a Head Chef to take ownership of the Cicoria kitchen, leading restaurant service, terrace dining, pre and post theatre trade, and selected events in one of London's most unique hospitality settings. This is a role for a chef who combines strong technical standards with calm leadership and commercial grip. Someone who takes pride in doing simple things exceptionally well, every time.
As Head Chef, you'll lead the kitchen team and deliver consistently excellent food across restaurant service, terrace dining, pre-theatre menus, post-show trade and events. You'll set the tone in the kitchen, driving high standards, leading from the front during busy services, and ensuring every plate leaves the pass with care and confidence.
You will:
- Lead, train and develop the kitchen team, creating a strong and positive culture.
- Deliver beautiful, consistent Italian food with a focus on quality ingredients and seasonality.
- Take full ownership of kitchen operations, leading services with confidence.
- Remain calm, organised and positive under pressure.
- Work closely with front of house to ensure a seamless and memorable guest experience.
- Oversee prep, ordering, stock, wastage and overall kitchen organisation.
- Manage food cost, GP and the commercial performance of the kitchen.
- Maintain excellent standards of food safety, hygiene, allergens and health & safety.
- Drive creativity across menus, terrace moments, seasonal specials and events.
- Create an environment where the team feels supported, challenged and proud of the food they produce.
We are looking for someone with strong experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a quality restaurant, hotel or premium hospitality environment. Experience with Italian cooking would be a real advantage, but more important is passion, personality and a genuine love of good food.
Company Benefits:
- Competitive salary + tronc, targeted earnings £70-75k per annum
- 33 days paid holiday
- Staff dining provided daily
- Employee dining discounts
- Access to industry events and professional development opportunities
- Central London location with excellent transport links
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
- Family friendly support
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- Volunteering days
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Beyond experience, we're looking for someone with warmth, pride and ambition - a chef who leads by example, inspires the team and delivers food that guests remember.
Head Chef - Royal Opera House in Islington employer: CH&CO
As the Head Chef at the Royal Opera House's Cicoria, you will be part of a prestigious culinary team in one of London's most iconic venues, where creativity and excellence are celebrated. The company offers a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a supportive work culture that prioritises personal development and wellbeing, ensuring you thrive both professionally and personally. With access to industry events and a focus on quality ingredients, this role provides a unique opportunity to lead a passionate team while delivering memorable dining experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Royal Opera House in Islington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with fellow chefs, restaurant owners, and industry professionals. Attend culinary events or workshops to meet people who can help you land that Head Chef role at the Royal Opera House.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or pop-up dinner to showcase your Italian cooking prowess. This not only highlights your talent but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to appear. Reach out directly to restaurants like Cicoria and express your interest in working with them. A personal touch can make all the difference in getting noticed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your passion and personality shine through in your application. Make sure to highlight your leadership skills and experience in high-pressure environments to stand out as the perfect fit for the Head Chef position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Royal Opera House in Islington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you dive into your application, take a moment to really soak in the job description. We want to see that you understand what it means to be a Head Chef at Cicoria and how you can bring your unique flair to our kitchen.
Showcase Your Passion for Italian Cooking:When writing your application, let your love for Italian cuisine shine through! Share your experiences and what makes you excited about leading a kitchen that focuses on seasonal, quality ingredients. We’re all about that passion!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you’ll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Tell us about times you’ve trained or inspired others in the kitchen. We want to know how you create a positive culture in your team!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at CH&CO
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with seasonal ingredients and Italian cooking techniques. Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate these into the menu at Cicoria. Show your passion for quality food and how it reflects in your cooking.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your ability to maintain calm under pressure and how you foster a positive culture among your staff. This role is all about leading by example, so be ready to share your approach.
✨Understand Kitchen Operations
Brush up on your knowledge of kitchen management, including stock control, food costs, and health & safety standards. Be prepared to discuss how you would take ownership of kitchen operations and ensure everything runs smoothly.
✨Connect with Front of House
Think about how you would collaborate with front-of-house staff to create a seamless guest experience. Prepare to discuss your communication strategies and how you would ensure that every plate leaving the pass is perfect.
