At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, train teams, and ensure high food standards.
- Company: Tigermilk, a fast-growing restaurant group with vibrant Latin American cuisine.
- Benefits: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape kitchen standards and build strong teams in a high-energy environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in kitchens, 2+ years in leadership, and a passion for training.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting expansion across the UK with a focus on quality.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Now, we are accelerating our expansion in the UK, with multiple openings planned across London and beyond - and we are looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen teams, ensure flawless execution of our food standards, and build the training and operational structure needed to scale successfully. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in high-energy kitchens and is passionate about developing people, maintaining strict hygiene and compliance, and delivering consistent, high-quality Tigermilk food - every day, at every site.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily kitchen operations and execution during prep and service
- Train, develop, and structure kitchen teams to build autonomy and consistency
- Oversee recruitment and onboarding for kitchen hires
- Maintain strong hygiene, food safety, and compliance standards
- Support future openings through training and operational setup
Kitchen Execution & Standards
- Deliver consistent food quality, taste, plating, and speed during every service
- Ensure strict compliance with technical sheets, recipes, and portion control (grammage)
- Maintain strong coordination with FOH/GM to ensure smooth service flow
Training & Team Development (Core Priority)
- Build and run a structured training programme for cooks (onboarding, station training, assessments)
- Coach and upskill kitchen teams to reach consistent performance across stations
- Maintain clear training tools: SOPs, checklists, prep guides, plating references
People Management
- Lead and motivate teams through strong standards, discipline, and positive culture
- Support performance development through feedback, coaching, and structure
- Organise schedules and team planning in coordination with Operations
Recruitment Oversight
- Support and oversee kitchen recruitment: interviews, trial shifts, evaluation, selection
- Ensure onboarding is effective and team structure supports performance and retention
- Build a pipeline of talent to support new openings
Stock Discipline & Storage Organisation
- Maintain disciplined labelling, date control (prep/use-by), FIFO rotation, and organised storage
- Keep fridges/freezers/dry storage structured to support fast inventories and reduce waste
Hygiene, Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure the kitchen is UK food-safety compliant and EHO-ready at all times
- Enforce HACCP-based procedures, allergen controls, temperature checks, logs and traceability
- Maintain daily and weekly cleaning routines (opening/closing checklists, deep cleans)
- Train teams on hygiene behaviours, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen awareness
New Openings & Expansion
- Play a key role in pre-opening and launch phases: kitchen setup, training plans, test services
- Support future sites to embed strong standards from day one
- Be mobile to support openings and multi-site needs when required
Qualifications
- 5+ years in professional kitchens, with 2+ years in a leadership role (Sous Chef / Head Chef / Kitchen Manager)
- Experience in high-volume, fast-paced service environments
- Strong leadership with a genuine passion for training and developing teams
- Strong understanding of UK hygiene and food safety compliance (HACCP, allergens, logs)
- Highly structured, disciplined and consistent - you build systems, not just services
- New opening experience is a strong advantage
Launched in Paris in 2019, Tigermilk is a fast-growing restaurant group with 12 locations across Europe - 10 in France, 1 in Belgium, and our newest opening in London (Tottenham Court Road). We bring Latin American-inspired cuisine and cocktails to life in vibrant, centrally located restaurants - 100% homemade, responsibly sourced, and built on strong brand identity and guest experience.
Why Join Tigermilk?
- Strong, autonomous kitchen teams with clear training structure
- A clean, organised, audit-ready kitchen every day
- Successful recruitment and onboarding to support growth
- Smooth and repeatable openings as Tigermilk expands in the UK
- Join a fast-growing European group launching and scaling in the UK
- Real opportunity to shape kitchen standards and build teams from the ground up
- High-energy restaurants with a strong brand identity and guest experience focus
Head Chef / Kitchen Manager - Tigermilk employer: Chef & Cook
Contact Detail:
Chef & Cook Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef / Kitchen Manager - Tigermilk
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out Tigermilk's vibe on social media and their website. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills and be ready to showcase them! If you get a chance, ask if you can do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. It’s a great way to show off your expertise and passion for high-quality food.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Tigermilk. They can give you insider tips on what the hiring managers are looking for and how to stand out during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Tigermilk family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef / Kitchen Manager - Tigermilk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for food and leadership shine through. We want to see how excited you are about developing kitchen teams and maintaining high standards. Share your experiences that highlight your love for the culinary arts!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Chef role at Tigermilk. Highlight your relevant experience in high-volume kitchens and any leadership roles you've held. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make it clear how your skills match our needs.
Be Specific About Your Experience: In your written application, be specific about your past achievements. Whether it’s training a team or ensuring compliance with food safety standards, we want to know the details. Numbers and examples can really make your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Tigermilk family right from the start!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chef & Cook
✨Know Your Kitchen Inside Out
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary knowledge and be ready to discuss your experience in high-volume kitchens. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've maintained food quality and compliance with hygiene standards in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is all about leading teams, so think about how you can demonstrate your leadership skills. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your ability to train, motivate, and develop kitchen staff, as well as how you've built a positive kitchen culture.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to face practical questions or scenarios during the interview. Think about how you would handle busy service times, manage stock discipline, or ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Showing your problem-solving skills will impress the interviewers.
✨Align with Tigermilk's Values
Familiarise yourself with Tigermilk's brand identity and values. Be ready to discuss how your passion for Latin American cuisine and commitment to high-quality food aligns with their mission. This will show that you're not just looking for any job, but that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.