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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen, creating high-quality dishes with fresh produce.
- Company: Join a successful and trendy grill restaurant group in Oxford.
- Benefits: Enjoy bonuses, tips, discounts, and early finishing times.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team that values creativity and quality in a lively environment.
- Qualifications: Must have Head Chef experience, grill expertise, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: No late nights; enjoy a balanced work-life while developing your culinary career.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45500 £ per year.
Location: Oxford
Salary: £40,000 - £45,500
Benefits: Bonus, Tips, amazing incentives, discounts & the chance to progress with a company that really looks after its people. Great finishing times – No Very Late Nights !!
My client is a highly successful, continuously cool fresh food grill restaurant group. Due to its success and continuous expansion, it is seeking an experienced Head Chef to run its kitchen in the Oxford area. The kitchens within the group are a little different than the norm and the restaurants serve high quality fresh produce created & cooked to spec and are popular high-volume operations.
What we’re looking for:
- Head Chef experience within a quality branded restaurant operation, working with fresh food & not pre-packed food
- MUST have grill experience
- Must be happy to work set specifications, creating consistent innovative dishes and sides made from high quality fresh produce. There is no real responsibility to create menus or specials.
- Experience of working with fresh produce & not pre-packed food
- A strong Kitchen Manager who can lead a team, work to a spec & also manage a high-volume, fast-paced kitchen, working under pressure within a lively environment.
- A strong people manager who can engage, motivate, train and develop a great team
- Dynamic with a great enthusiasm & passion for running a busy kitchen.
- Strong organisational & planning skills with the ability to juggle various tasks at the same time.
- Strong BOH skills – GPs, stock control, Food Hygiene, H & S etc.
Salary & Benefits: The starting salary for this role is up to £45,500 for a 48 hour week, paid hourly. The company really looks after its people & there is a quarterly bonus, incentives, food trips, free food when working & various exciting discounts. The restaurants are not open late nights so finishes are usually earlier than usual too !!
If you feel you have the right background & experience and are interested in having a chat then please send your CV.
Head Chef employer: Hesketh James
Contact Detail:
Hesketh James Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to highlight your grill experience during any conversations or interviews. Since this role specifically requires grill expertise, sharing specific examples of dishes you've prepared and how you manage a grill station can set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your leadership skills by discussing how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Share anecdotes about how you've motivated and trained staff, as well as how you handle high-pressure situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the restaurant's menu and style before any discussions. Being able to speak knowledgeably about their offerings and how you can contribute to maintaining their high standards will show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your organisational skills and how you manage stock control and food hygiene. Providing examples of how you've maintained these standards in previous roles will demonstrate your capability to run a busy kitchen effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a Head Chef, particularly in quality branded restaurant operations. Emphasise your grill experience and your ability to work with fresh produce.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for running a busy kitchen. Mention specific examples of how you've led teams, managed high-volume operations, and maintained food hygiene standards.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on your organisational and planning skills. Discuss how you manage multiple tasks under pressure and your approach to training and developing team members.
Show Enthusiasm: Convey your enthusiasm for the role and the restaurant's ethos in your application. Let them know why you're excited about the opportunity to work in a lively environment with a focus on fresh food.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hesketh James
✨Showcase Your Grill Experience
Make sure to highlight your grill experience during the interview. Discuss specific dishes you've prepared and how you maintain quality while working in a high-volume kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Be prepared to share examples of how you've motivated and trained your staff in previous roles, showcasing your people management skills.
✨Emphasise Fresh Produce Knowledge
Since the restaurant focuses on fresh food, talk about your experience with sourcing and working with high-quality ingredients. Mention any specific techniques you use to ensure freshness and quality in your dishes.
✨Prepare for Fast-Paced Scenarios
Expect questions about how you handle pressure in a busy kitchen. Share strategies you've used to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining high standards of food hygiene and safety.
