At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, creating fresh, high-quality 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.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal development and career progression in a fast-growing business.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with your culinary skills in a fun, dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ 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 doing it your way. 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 and Instagram @thelounges.
Head Chef - Shirley employer: Lounge Café Bars
At our Shirley location, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and supportive work culture that celebrates real cooking and high-quality ingredients. As a Head Chef, you'll enjoy competitive benefits such as overtime pay, generous staff discounts, and opportunities for personal development in a fast-growing business. Join us for the most talked-about staff parties in hospitality and be part of a team that values your unique approach to culinary excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Shirley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get chatting with people in the industry, whether it's at events or online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Head Chef role or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, whip up a dish and share it on social media. Tag us and use relevant hashtags to get noticed. It’s a great way to showcase your passion for real cooking and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios. Think about how you’d handle kitchen challenges or lead a team. We want to see your personality shine through, so be yourself!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate chefs who are ready to make a difference in our kitchens.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Shirley
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 for food!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to mention any previous leadership roles you've had. Talk about how you motivate your team and maintain high standards in the kitchen. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your past jobs; dive into the details! Tell us about the kitchens you've worked in, the types of cuisine you’ve mastered, and any KPIs you've managed. The more specific you are, the better we can see how you fit 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 at StudySmarter!
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 successfully trained and developed junior chefs or apprentices 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 that align with the company's goals.
✨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 show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also a great cultural match.
