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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen at Cicoria, delivering exceptional Italian cuisine and managing a talented team.
- Company: Join the Royal Opera House, a prestigious cultural institution in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, staff dining, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic environment with excellent transport links and regular social events.
- Why this job: Shape a growing restaurant with a clear food identity in a landmark setting.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef with Italian cooking expertise.
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 Role
- You 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.
About You:
- 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 London employer: Company of Cooks
Contact Detail:
Company of Cooks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Royal Opera House in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who might have ties to the Royal Opera House. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting session or a pop-up event showcasing your Italian cooking prowess. This not only demonstrates 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 postings. Reach out directly to the Royal Opera House and express your interest in the Head Chef position. A personal touch can make all the difference and show your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends in Italian cuisine and kitchen management. Attend workshops or online courses to sharpen your skills. This shows your commitment to excellence and can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Royal Opera House in London
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 truly understand and appreciate the essence of Italian food.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, strong leadership is key. In your application, talk about how you've built and motivated kitchen teams before. We’re looking for someone who can lead with calmness and confidence, so make sure to showcase your ability to set clear expectations and foster a positive team culture.
Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness: We need a Head Chef who understands the business side of things too! In your written application, mention how you've managed food costs, labour, and productivity in previous roles. Show us that you can balance high standards with commercial success.
Tailor Your Application to Us: Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically to Cicoria and the Royal Opera House. Mention why you’re excited about this unique opportunity and how you can contribute to our vision. Remember, applying through our website is the best way to get your foot in the door!
How to prepare for a job interview at Company of Cooks
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you’re well-versed in ingredient-led Italian cooking. Brush up on seasonal produce and how to showcase them in your dishes. This will not only impress the interviewers but also show that you understand the ethos of the restaurant.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach. Think about examples where you've successfully led a kitchen team, especially under pressure. Highlight how you set clear expectations and foster a motivated environment, as this is crucial for the Head Chef role.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with food costs, labour management, and productivity metrics. Be ready to discuss how you’ve managed these aspects in previous roles. This shows that you’re not just a creative chef but also commercially savvy.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling busy service periods or unexpected challenges. Prepare specific scenarios from your past experiences where you maintained high standards and calmness under pressure. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.