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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen at Cicoria, delivering exceptional Italian cuisine and managing a talented team.
- Company: Join the iconic Royal Opera House and work alongside renowned chef Angela Hartnett.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, staff dining, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant work culture with excellent career growth and recognition schemes.
- Why this job: Shape a prestigious restaurant in a landmark setting with diverse culinary experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef with a passion for Italian cooking.
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.
The Head Chef RoleYou will lead the Cicoria kitchen day to day, taking responsibility for food standards, kitchen performance and team culture in a fast paced, high profile environment.
- Deliver food that reflects the standards and ethos of Angela Hartnett's kitchens, with real consistency
- Lead, develop and retain a strong kitchen team, setting clear expectations and holding people to them
- Run a kitchen that can flex across busy restaurant services, terrace dining, theatre led peaks and event menus
- Take ownership of food cost, labour, productivity, waste and overall kitchen performance
- Work closely with the Senior General Manager, front of house team and wider Royal Opera House stakeholders
- Maintain excellent standards of organisation, hygiene, allergens and food safety
- Contribute to seasonal menu development, terrace offers and event menus within Cicoria's established Italian style
You are currently a Head Chef, or a strong Senior Sous Chef ready to step into a bigger role. You have experience in a quality focused, high volume restaurant or hospitality environment. You understand ingredient led Italian cooking and have the discipline to deliver it with precision. You are calm, structured and organised under pressure. You are commercially aware and understand how food cost, labour and productivity affect kitchen performance. You are a confident leader who builds motivated, accountable and consistent teams. You are comfortable working with senior operators, front of house teams and partners across a wider venue.
Why This Head Chef Role Is Different:This is a rare opportunity to lead a kitchen within one of London's most prestigious cultural institutions. You will be working in a restaurant created in partnership with Angela Hartnett, with a clear food identity and high standards. The role brings variety, from restaurant service and terrace dining to pre theatre demand, post theatre trade and selected events. It is a platform to shape, develop and elevate a growing restaurant within a landmark London setting.
Our Head Chef 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
If you are a chef who cares about great ingredients, calm leadership and doing the basics brilliantly, we would love to hear from you.
Head Chef - Royal Opera House in Slough employer: CH&CO
Contact Detail:
CH&CO Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Royal Opera House in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, restaurant owners, or anyone in the industry. Attend culinary events or workshops to make connections that could lead to job opportunities. Remember, it’s not just about what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even host a pop-up event. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their kitchen. Plus, it’s a great way to demonstrate your passion for ingredient-led cooking.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to restaurants you admire, like Cicoria. Express your interest and share how you can contribute to their team. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow food blogs, join culinary forums, and keep an eye on what’s happening in the restaurant scene. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show that you’re genuinely invested in your craft.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Royal Opera House in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Italian Cooking: When you're writing your application, let your love for Italian cuisine shine through! Share your experiences with ingredient-led cooking and how you’ve delivered exceptional dishes in the past. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the food they create.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, leading a team is key. Make sure to include examples of how you've developed and motivated your kitchen team. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others, so don’t be shy about sharing your leadership style and successes!
Be Clear About Your Experience: We want to know what makes you the perfect fit for this role! Clearly outline your relevant experience, especially in high-volume environments. Mention any specific achievements or challenges you've overcome that demonstrate your ability to thrive under pressure.
Apply Through Our Website: Ready to take the plunge? Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to see your application and get you on the path to joining our team at Cicoria!
How to prepare for a job interview at CH&CO
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you’re well-versed in the seasonal and ingredient-led approach that defines Italian cooking. Be ready to discuss your favourite ingredients and how you would use them in dishes at Cicoria. This shows your passion and understanding of the cuisine.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership experience and how you’ve built strong kitchen teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you’ve set clear expectations and motivated your team, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of food costs, labour productivity, and waste management. Be prepared to discuss how you would manage these aspects effectively in a busy kitchen environment, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Consistency and Quality
Be ready to explain how you ensure consistency and quality in your dishes. Share examples of how you maintain high standards in a fast-paced setting, and how you would uphold the ethos of Angela Hartnett’s kitchens.