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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, creating fresh, high-quality dishes daily.
- Company: Join one of the UK's most successful restaurant groups with a focus on real cooking.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff discounts, paid breaks, and a vibrant staff party!
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team, making customers happy with your culinary creations.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills required.
- Other info: Follow us on LinkedIn or @life.at.loungers on TikTok and Instagram for more insights!
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our new opening and become part of one of the most successful restaurant groups in the UK. 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 follow the lead of your Head Chef 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 staff discount to enjoy outside working hours from day one
- 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 - New Opening employer: Lounges
Contact Detail:
Lounges Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - New Opening
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with our brand and values. Understanding what we stand for in terms of fresh, customer-led cooking will help you align your passion and experience with our vision during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the industry. Attend culinary events or local food festivals where you might meet current employees or other chefs who can provide insights about our kitchen culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team, managed KPIs, and trained junior staff, as these are key aspects of the Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to demonstrate your culinary skills. If possible, be ready to share a signature dish or cooking technique that highlights your expertise with fresh ingredients and aligns with our commitment to quality.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - New Opening
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand what the restaurant group is looking for in a Head Chef. Highlight your passion for real cooking and how it aligns with their values.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef. Emphasise your skills with fresh ingredients, kitchen management, and team leadership.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your personality and cooking philosophy. Explain why you want to join this specific restaurant group and how you can contribute to their success.
Showcase Your Achievements: In your application, include specific examples of your past successes in kitchen management, training staff, and maintaining high food standards. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lounges
✨Show Your Passion for Real Cooking
Make sure to express your love for real cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you've created using fresh ingredients and how you prioritise quality in your kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Highlight your experience in managing kitchen staff, training new recruits, and maintaining high standards. Be ready to discuss how you motivate your team and handle challenges.
✨Know Your KPIs
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to kitchen management. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed labour costs, stock levels, and food safety requirements in previous roles.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Show your interest by preparing thoughtful questions about the restaurant's vision, menu development, and team dynamics. This demonstrates your commitment to being part of their success and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
