At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen, prepare authentic French crêpes, and manage a small team.
- Company: La Petite Bretagne, a respected French crêperie in Hammersmith.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, service charge, private medical insurance, and free staff meals.
- Other info: Great work-life balance with shifts ending by 21:30.
- Why this job: Enjoy autonomy, stability, and the chance to influence menu development.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading a kitchen and strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
La Petite Bretagne is an established and respected French crêperie in the heart of Hammersmith, known for authentic crêpes, galettes, warm hospitality, and consistently high standards.
After many successful years with us, our long-standing chef is moving on to a new chapter, and we are now looking for a talented, hands-on Head Chef to lead our kitchen. This is an excellent opportunity for a chef with strong crêperie experience who is looking for more than just a job: a role with stability, autonomy, responsibility, and real influence within a well-run business.
About the role
As Head Chef, you will take the lead in the day-to-day running of the kitchen, maintaining excellent food quality, strong organisation, and a disciplined but positive team culture. You will work closely with the General Manager / Owner and play an important role in maintaining standards, developing seasonal ideas, and ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently and consistently at every service. This role would suit a chef who takes pride in quality, understands cost control, leads by example, and values both structure and autonomy.
Key responsibilities
- Prepare and cook authentic French crêpes and galettes to a consistently high standard
- Maintain excellent presentation, taste, portioning, and consistency
- Lead, organise, and support a small kitchen team
- Train team members and help build strong kitchen discipline and communication
- Manage ordering, stock control, and inventory carefully
- Minimise waste and maintain a strong awareness of food cost and efficiency
- Contribute to seasonal specials and support menu refinement
- Ensure high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety at all times
- Work closely with management to ensure smooth daily service and a well-run operation
What we are looking for
- Proven experiences
- A confident and skilled chef with high personal standards
- Previous experience leading, supervising, or training a kitchen team
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure
- A good understanding of stock management, waste control, and kitchen efficiency
- A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and sense of responsibility
- Pride in consistency, detail, and guest satisfaction
- Food safety knowledge or certification
- French language skills are a plus, but not essential
What we offer
- Competitive salary
- Service charge
- Private medical insurance
- Company pension
- Free staff meal on shift
- Five shifts per week
- Autonomy in organising the kitchen rota
- Kitchen closes at 21:30, offering a far better work-life balance than most late-night hospitality operations
- A stable, long-term opportunity within an established and respected business
- A genuine leadership role with the opportunity to contribute to seasonal specials and menu development.
Head Chef / Chef de Cuisine in Hammersmith employer: La Petite Bretagne
Contact Detail:
La Petite Bretagne Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef / Chef de Cuisine in Hammersmith
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, restaurant owners, or even food bloggers in your area. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting event or pop-up where you can showcase your crêpe and galette expertise. This not only highlights your culinary talents but also gets your name out there in the local food scene.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Visit restaurants you admire, introduce yourself, and express your interest in working with them. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from a simple conversation.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining a great team like La Petite Bretagne.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef / Chef de Cuisine in Hammersmith
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in leading a kitchen and preparing authentic French crêpes and galettes. We want to see how your skills align with our high standards and what makes you the perfect fit for La Petite Bretagne.
Be Yourself: Let your personality shine through in your application! We’re looking for someone with a positive attitude and strong work ethic, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and why you’re passionate about this role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application specifically for this position. Mention how your previous experiences relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description, like managing stock control and training team members. This shows us that you’ve done your homework!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, applying is super straightforward! Just scroll down and click on 'Apply' on our website. We can’t wait to see your application and hopefully welcome you to our team at La Petite Bretagne!
How to prepare for a job interview at La Petite Bretagne
✨Show Off Your Culinary Skills
Make sure to highlight your experience with crêpes and galettes during the interview. Bring examples of your previous work or even a small tasting if possible. This will demonstrate your passion and expertise in French cuisine, which is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've trained or managed kitchen staff in the past. Show them that you can maintain a positive team culture while ensuring high standards.
✨Know Your Numbers
Understanding cost control and stock management is key for this position. Brush up on your knowledge of food costs, waste minimisation, and inventory management. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed these aspects in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Your Work Ethic
A strong work ethic and a positive attitude are essential for this role. Share stories that illustrate your commitment to quality and consistency, as well as how you handle pressure in a busy kitchen environment. This will show them you're the right fit for their team.