Head Chef - Christchurch

Head Chef - Christchurch

Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team to create delicious, fresh dishes that delight customers.
  • Company: Join a vibrant hospitality group known for its real cooking and supportive culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, 50% off food, paid breaks, and 28 days holiday.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-growing business with opportunities for personal development.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef with strong culinary skills.
  • Other info: Be part of exciting events like Loungefest and enjoy shared tips across the team.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

You love real cooking. We love real cooking. Customers love real cooking. It’s a no-brainer so you wonder why so many other places don’t do it. We do it, and you’ll be doing it with us - fresh, customer led, and with high-quality ingredients. We also love our real people who run Lounges. The person who runs these brilliant people has to be super-brilliant, and that’ll be you. Your standards will be as high as ours, but exactly how you do it will be unique to you.

You’ll be part of a dedicated, supportive team, working from our flexible all-day menu to give people food that’ll make their day. It’ll be your responsibility to make each dish to spec, in a clean and safe kitchen, and to make sure all prep and par is completed for each shift. You’ll be helping every customer leave happy. Which they tend to do. Thanks to your great food.

The Good Stuff

  • Overtime pay for every hour worked over contracted hours!
  • Staff food on every shift
  • 50% off food and drinks (including alcohol) from day one at all three of our brands - Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside
  • Paid breaks
  • 28 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays) pro rata
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after 2 years service
  • The most talked-about staff party in hospitality - Loungefest!
  • Competitions and incentives (like jetting off on an all expenses paid trip with one of our suppliers)
  • Company pension scheme
  • Long service awards
  • Power over your pay with Wagestream
  • Emotional and practical support via the Licenced Trade Charity
  • Great opportunity for personal development and career progression in a fast growing business
  • Achievable bonuses
  • Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
  • Christmas and Boxing Day off!

What you’ll bring

You are probably an existing Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef looking for your first step into a Head Chef role. You will have experience of working with fresh ingredients and be able to demonstrate good chef/kitchen skills (food prep hot and cold, cleaning, knife skills, good hygiene practices). Your work ethic is rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in and leading from the front; playing an active role in delivering excellent kitchen and food standards as part of a high performing team.

Familiar with managing through clear KPIs and making decisions considering labour; stock; food safety requirements plus others. You will have worked in kitchen environments where you’re required to report on various metrics including GPs; labour/house; food preparation. You will have demonstrated successful delivery of training and recruitment for kitchen teams including Apprentices, KPs, Chefs, Junior Sous Chefs and Sous Chefs.

If you want to find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn or @life.at.loungers on TikTok and Instagram.

Head Chef - Christchurch employer: Lounge Café Bars

At Loungers, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where creativity and passion for real cooking thrive. As a Head Chef in Christchurch, you'll enjoy a range of benefits including overtime pay, generous staff discounts, and opportunities for personal development within a rapidly growing business. Join our dedicated team and experience the unique advantage of working in a supportive environment that values your individuality and culinary expertise.
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Contact Detail:

Lounge Café Bars Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Christchurch

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs and industry contacts on LinkedIn or social media. 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, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a short video showcasing your cooking techniques. This can really set you apart when you're chatting with potential employers.

Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to restaurants or lounges you admire and express your interest. A personal touch can go a long way in landing that dream role.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing passionate chefs who are eager to join our team. Make sure to highlight your unique approach to cooking and how you can contribute to our fresh, customer-led philosophy.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Christchurch

Chef Skills
Food Preparation (Hot and Cold)
Cleaning
Knife Skills
Good Hygiene Practices
Leadership
Team Management
KPI Management
Decision Making
Labour Management
Stock Management
Food Safety Compliance
Training Delivery
Recruitment
Customer Service

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Real Cooking: When you're writing your application, let your love for real cooking shine through! Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and how you create dishes that make customers happy. We want to see your personality and passion come alive on the page.

Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've trained and managed kitchen staff before, and how you lead by example. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others!

Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just say you have kitchen experience; give us the details! Mention specific skills like food prep, hygiene practices, and any metrics you've managed. The more we know about your background, the better we can see you fitting into our team.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lounge Café Bars

Know Your Ingredients

Make sure you’re well-versed in the fresh ingredients you’ll be working with. Be ready to discuss your favourite dishes and how you source quality produce. This shows your passion for real cooking, which is a big deal for the company.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a Head Chef, you’ll be leading a team. Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you motivate your kitchen staff. Share examples of how you’ve trained and developed team members in the past.

Understand the Business Metrics

Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to kitchen management. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve managed costs, stock, and food safety in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to make informed decisions.

Bring Your Unique Flair

The company values individuality, so think about what makes your cooking style unique. Be ready to share how you would put your personal touch on the menu while maintaining high standards. This will help you stand out as a candidate.

Head Chef - Christchurch
Lounge Café Bars
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