At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team and create seasonal menus in a vibrant brasserie.
- Company: Join Lantana, a dynamic hospitality business in historic Westminster.
- Benefits: Enjoy a quarterly bonus, overtime pay, and 50% restaurant discounts.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a high-energy environment while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef in a quality, high-volume setting is essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
In the heart of historic Westminster, Old Queen Street Café (OQSC) is a British brasserie offering refined food in a relaxed, elegant setting. OQSC comprises a 50-cover restaurant, events space, and private members’ club and is located moments from Parliament within a beautifully restored townhouse.
Lantana leads the creation and delivery of this unique hospitality experience on behalf of our client, political and cultural magazine UnHerd.
We are looking for a Head Chef to join our Executive Head Chef in leading the kitchen team. You must have experience in a Head Chef role within a quality, event driven, high-volume hospitality environment and be passionate about food and hospitality.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Working with our Executive Head Chef to create and deliver seasonal menus
- Inspiring and developing the kitchen team through coaching, structured feedback, and clear expectations
- Maintaining high operational standards across cleanliness, safety, and compliance
- Ensuring all food is delivered to spec and with consistency in the restaurant, for events and private dining
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training to build a confident, capable team
- Managing stock control to deliver strong gross profit, minimising waste and shrinkage
- Monitoring labour and flexing the rota to maintain productivity targets
- Ensuring accurate reporting and adherence to all financial procedures
- Working closely with your GM to unite FOH and BOH
What We’ll Be Doing In Return:
- Offering a quarterly performance bonus of up to 20% of your salary
- Paying overtime!
- Developing your skills for whatever your future career might be; with us or elsewhere
- An extra day off on your birthday (or the day after….)!
- Serving team meals that are always from the menu
- Providing an annual CODE app subscription
- Giving 50% discount in any of our restaurants
- Enrolling you onto the Hospitality Action Support Group
- Celebrating with you at team parties
You must have proof of right to work in the UK to join us.
Lantana is proud to be a London business and wishes to support the communities that it operates in. It will do this by giving priority to those that live within London or Greater London, which will also have additional environmental benefits.
Lantana values a diverse workforce and believes that people from different backgrounds can bring fresh ideas, thinking and approaches to the way we work. We welcome everyone from everywhere to come and join our team. Please let us know if we can support you in any specific ways to apply to join us.
Head Chef in City of Westminster employer: Mary Rush Care Ltd
At Old Queen Street Café, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer in the heart of Westminster, offering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and collaboration. As a Head Chef, you will not only lead a passionate kitchen team but also enjoy benefits such as a quarterly performance bonus, overtime pay, and opportunities for professional development, all while working in a beautifully restored townhouse that fosters a sense of community and support. Join us to create memorable dining experiences in a setting that celebrates diversity and encourages personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at OQSC. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you get the chance, organise a tasting session or a pop-up event to showcase your seasonal menu ideas. This not only highlights your creativity but also your passion for food and hospitality.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching OQSC’s menu and values. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire and develop the kitchen team while maintaining high operational standards. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your culinary journey and how they align with our vision at OQSC.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head Chef role. Highlight relevant experience in high-volume environments and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can inspire and develop a kitchen team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to your skills and achievements.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mary Rush Care Ltd
✨Know Your Menus Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with seasonal ingredients and current food trends. Be ready to discuss how you would create and deliver menus that reflect the ethos of Old Queen Street Café. This shows your passion for food and your ability to innovate.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be inspiring and developing your kitchen team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached staff in the past, handled conflicts, or improved team performance. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and motivate others.
✨Understand Operational Standards
Familiarise yourself with high operational standards in cleanliness, safety, and compliance. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve maintained these standards in previous roles and how you plan to uphold them at OQSC.
✨Be Ready to Talk Numbers
Since managing stock control and financial procedures is key, brush up on your knowledge of cost control and waste minimisation strategies. Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve managed budgets and maximised profits in a high-volume environment.
