At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen at Antico Lounge, creating high-quality dishes and building a motivated team.
- Company: Join Loungers, the Casual Dining Group of the Year 2026, with over 300 sites across England and Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, free meals, and 50% discount on food and drinks from day one.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting team culture with great career progression and fun staff events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing hospitality brand while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We're hiring a full-time Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Antico Lounge, a local café bar. Part of Loungers, proudly named Casual Dining Group of the Year 2026. With competitive salary, plus bonus, paid overtime and real progression opportunities, this is a great next step for an experienced hospitality head chef, kitchen manager, or senior sous chef.
About the Head Chef Role
Lounges are pretty special places, and what makes them so special is the brilliant people who run them. As Head Chef you'll lead your own kitchen in Antico Lounge. We're looking for a hands-on Head Chef who loves real cooking, building teams, and running a kitchen like it's their own. You'll create a kitchen where high standards come naturally — because everyone genuinely cares about making sure every customer leaves happy. It's the small things done brilliantly that make all the difference; from a perfectly executed dish to every spec being nailed.
We're a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales with over 300 sites already and quickly growing; there's no better place to grow a career in hospitality. How far you go is really up to you.
What’s in it For You?
- Competitive base salary + bonus + overtime
- Permanent full-time role; 48-hour contract (40-hour contract option available)
- Overtime pay for every hour worked
- Achievable bonus scheme, paid twice a year
- Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
- Free meal on every shift no matter the length
- Christmas and Boxing Day off
- Genuine career development with our in-house training courses and ‘Future Ops’ development programmes
- 50% discount on food and drinks from day one, including alcohol across all our brands (Lounge, Cosy Club, & Brightside)
- No uniform policy
- The most talked-about staff party in hospitality — Loungefest!
- Long service awards – Vouchers/Extra money
- Early access to your pay with Stream
- Emotional and practical support via the Licensed Trade Charity
What You’ll Do
- Take full ownership of the kitchen at Antico Lounge— leading every shift from open to close, making sure the right people are in the right place and food standards never slip
- Recruit, develop and coach your kitchen team at all levels — from KPs and Chefs through to Sous Chefs — with honest feedback and clear development plans so people can grow with you
- Know our menu specs and kitchen processes inside out, spotting issues and opportunities before they happen and making sure every dish leaves the pass as it should
- Own a site-level action plan with your General Manager covering food wait times, NSF standards, ordering, stock counts and cleaning
- Deliver on your kitchen KPIs — food quality, wait times, wastage, food safety and GP — and report on performance behind every shift
- Schedule fair rotas in line with the sales and bookings forecast, making sure every shift has the right skill and capability to run smoothly
- Work closely with the front of house team to build a genuine one-team culture, with shared understanding and cross-training in place
What You’ll Bring
- A natural people leader — you build loyal, motivated kitchen teams by understanding what makes people tick. You create a one-team culture between kitchen and front of house, where people back each other and do their best work.
- A cook who genuinely cares — you love working with fresh, high-quality ingredients and you know our menu specs inside out. You spot issues and opportunities before they happen, and you never settle for second best.
- A kitchen leader — you lead from the line, the pass; anywhere your team need you. You coach in the moment, and obsess over the details that make a difference. You help people grow, with clear development and real progression for your KPs, Chefs, and Sous Chefs.
- Commercially minded — you're confident with GP, labour, stock, wastage and food safety KPIs, and use them to make smart decisions without losing sight of the food. You treat your kitchen like it's your own.
- Experienced and adaptable — you'll have experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef ready for your next step. You're comfortable recruiting, training and developing kitchen teams, and you're as happy running a busy service as you are reviewing performance with your Operations Chef.
Ready to Apply? We want to work with kind people so if you want to work hard, have fun and be part of the Loungers ride, we'd love to have you. Click the link to apply and we look forward to chatting with you!
Want to find out more? Check out our socials at @TheLounges
Locations
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Alton, Hampshire
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Lounge Café Bars. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Lounge Café Bars
Don't be shy about reaching out to Lounge Café Bars directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Alton, Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Lounge Café Bars and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lounge Café Bars
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
