At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, ensuring top-notch food quality and smooth service.
- Company: Join Maki & Ramen, a vibrant Japanese-inspired dining brand.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, tips, team meals, and a friendly work environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity with a motivated team and room for growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a new site and grow your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in high-volume cooking and strong organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 29100 - 30250 £ per year.
Pay Rate: £14.00 - £14.50 per hour + bonus + tips
Hours: 45-50 per week (hours are negotiable)
Role: Full-time Head Chef
Commencement Date: June 2026
Location: Unit R08, Mezzanine Food Level, West Quay Shopping Centre, Southampton SO15 1QE
Be part of something new – join Maki & Ramen Southampton. We're Maki & Ramen – a growing, Japanese-inspired dining brand known for our homemade ramen and freshly prepared sushi. With a strong focus on quality and warm, attentive service, we’re passionate about delivering a memorable experience for every guest.
Maki & Ramen Southampton is looking for an experienced and driven Head Chef to lead the launch and shape the future of this exciting new site. If you're ready to take the next step in your career and be part of a vibrant, expanding team, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead and oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, organisation, and smooth service during high-traffic event periods.
- Maintain exceptional food quality, presentation, and recipe standards, adapting to fast-paced, high-volume demands.
- Manage and develop the kitchen team through training, coaching, and effective delegation.
- Control stock, ordering, waste, and kitchen budgets to achieve strong commercial performance.
- Ensure rigorous compliance with food safety, hygiene regulations, and health & safety procedures at all times.
- Collaborate with front-of-house and management teams to coordinate service flow and meet operational targets.
- Strong leadership skills, capable of managing and motivating a kitchen brigade in a demanding environment.
- Proven experience in high-volume cooking, with the ability to maintain quality under pressure.
- Excellent organisational and time-management abilities, especially during event peaks and tight service windows.
- Solid understanding of food safety, HACCP procedures, and kitchen compliance requirements.
- Commercial awareness, including stock control, cost management, and menu performance.
- Adaptability, resilience, and a calm approach when handling operational challenges or last minute changes.
As part of our team, you will receive a motivated and friendly working environment, delicious team meals and a competitive salary + tips. What are you waiting for? Join us today!
Job Type: Full-timeBenefits: Bereavement leave, Company pension, Discounted or free food, Employee discount
Experience: Cooking: 2 years (required), Head Chef: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification: Food Safety Level 2 or above (preferred), Food Allergen Training
Language: Fluent in English speaking
Work Location: In person
Head Chef - SO15 QE in Farnborough employer: Maki & Ramen
Maki & Ramen Southampton is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture where culinary creativity thrives. As a Head Chef, you will enjoy competitive pay, bonuses, and tips, alongside opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic team dedicated to delivering outstanding dining experiences. Located in the bustling West Quay Shopping Centre, you'll benefit from a lively atmosphere and the chance to shape the future of a growing brand while enjoying delicious team meals and a strong sense of camaraderie.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - SO15 QE in Farnborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, whether it's through social media or local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting session or a pop-up event to showcase your cooking. This is a great way for us to see your talent in action and get a feel for your style before we even meet.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for the interview! Brush up on your knowledge of food safety, kitchen compliance, and high-volume cooking techniques. We want to see that you’re not just passionate about food, but also know how to run a tight ship in the kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Maki & Ramen family. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - SO15 QE in Farnborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let us see your love for cooking and the culinary arts. Share your experiences that highlight your creativity and dedication to quality, especially in high-volume settings like ours.
Highlight Leadership Skills:As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated and developed kitchen staff in the past, and how you handle challenges in a busy environment.
Be Specific About Your Experience:We want to know what you've done! Detail your previous roles, especially any high-volume cooking experiences. Mention specific dishes or techniques you've mastered that align with our Japanese-inspired menu.
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to join our vibrant team? Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with Maki & Ramen!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maki & Ramen
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Maki & Ramen's menu. Understand the ingredients, preparation methods, and presentation styles. This will not only show your passion for the brand but also demonstrate your ability to maintain exceptional food quality and standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a kitchen team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've managed and motivated a team in the past. Discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, highlighting your ability to train and develop staff in a high-pressure environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Be ready to discuss your experience with stock control, budgeting, and cost management. Think of examples where you successfully managed kitchen resources or improved menu performance. This will show that you understand the business side of running a kitchen, which is crucial for this role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle busy service periods or unexpected challenges. Think through scenarios where you had to adapt quickly or maintain quality under pressure. This will help you convey your resilience and calm approach, which are key traits for a successful Head Chef.
