At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team, crafting seasonal menus and training aspiring chefs.
- Company: Join a vibrant café in South London, known for its creative brunches and homemade treats.
- Benefits: Enjoy day shifts, competitive salary, staff discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Perfect for food lovers seeking creativity and a chance to impact customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in pastry preferred; must thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth with events and special projects.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 44000 £ per year.
A head chef for a busy neighbourhood café and events space in a leafy South London neighbourhood, specializing in creative seasonal breakfasts, brunches, and lunches, with a strong vegetarian offering and homemade bakes treats and cakes. The space also caters for intimate private dinners, workshops, and classes ranging from cookery lessons to group cooking sessions.
Role Details:
- Day to Day Running of the Kitchen Team of 3 - 50 covers plus outside space
- Organising monthly rota for kitchen
- Menu Planning working closely with the owner to create weekly seasonal specials alongside a regular menu offering
- Team training and development
- Stock Counting, Wastage Control
- Due Diligence: Hygiene, H&S Records & Cleaning Rosters
Everything is made fresh in house to include all pastries.
About you:
- A real foodie who can work with the owner and cares deeply about the details and the customer experience.
- Pastry experience preferred.
- Able (and excited!) about training younger and less experienced team members.
- Be able to work in a fast-paced environment with lots of moving parts.
- Ideally someone who lives relatively locally.
- Day shifts only, with the occasional evening if we have private events.
Salary and Benefits:
Working for a supportive owner £38 - 42k per annum, Company pension, Staff discounts.
Cafe Head chef - Daytimes employer: Mise en Place London
Contact Detail:
Mise en Place London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cafe Head chef - Daytimes
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local food scene in South London. Knowing the popular ingredients, trends, and customer preferences can help you tailor your approach during interviews and discussions with the owner.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity by preparing a few unique brunch or pastry ideas that align with the café's focus on seasonal and vegetarian offerings. This will demonstrate your passion and ability to contribute to the menu.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your experience in training and developing kitchen staff during conversations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully mentored less experienced team members in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to managing a busy kitchen environment. Share strategies you've used for effective rota management, stock control, and maintaining high hygiene standards, as these are crucial for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Cafe Head chef - Daytimes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in the culinary field, particularly in managing a kitchen and creating seasonal menus. Emphasise any pastry experience and your ability to train and develop team members.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and customer experience. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen or created innovative dishes, and express your enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced environment.
Showcase Your Creativity: If possible, include a portfolio or examples of your previous work, such as menu designs or photos of dishes you've created. This will help demonstrate your creativity and attention to detail, which are crucial for this role.
Highlight Local Knowledge: Mention your familiarity with the local area in your application. If you live nearby, emphasise this as it shows your commitment and availability for day shifts and occasional evening events.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mise en Place London
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your love for food and cooking during the interview. Share your experiences with seasonal ingredients, creative menu planning, and any unique dishes you've created. This will demonstrate that you are not just a chef, but a true foodie who cares about the culinary experience.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
As a head chef, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing kitchen staff, training less experienced team members, and how you handle team dynamics. Providing examples of successful team projects or training sessions can really impress the interviewer.
✨Discuss Your Experience with Pastry
Since pastry experience is preferred, be ready to talk about your skills in this area. Bring up specific pastries or baked goods you've made, and if possible, mention any innovative techniques or recipes you've developed. This will show that you have the necessary expertise for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Ability to Adapt
The café environment can be fast-paced and unpredictable. Share examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or adapted to sudden changes in a previous role. This will reassure the interviewer that you can thrive in their dynamic setting and handle the variety of events they host.