At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support multiple kitchens, ensuring high food standards and team development.
- Company: Join a dynamic group of restaurants with a focus on quality and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy dining discounts, staff meals, and growing holiday allowance.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for coaching and hands-on service.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Michelin or rosette kitchens and strong team-building abilities.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We're looking for a chef who's spent time in kitchens with Michelin or rosette recognition, and who now wants to bring that discipline to menus that are accessible but never compromise on quality. Someone who can walk into a site that's under pressure and steady it without taking over, and who gets real satisfaction from building up a team rather than just running one. Someone who's just as comfortable talking wage percentages and dish costs in a finance meeting as they are running a Saturday night pass.
This is a Multi-Site Head Chef role focused on our Open House sites, The Lighterman and The Broadcaster, working closely with our Executive Chef to keep food standards high and consistent across both (You'll also flex out to support The Italian Greyhound and Boxcar as needed), so you'll be trusted to read a room and know what kind of input it needs, whether that's picking up a knife, mentoring a team, picking apart a rota, or picking through some admin.
Our Head Chefs run their own kitchens as their own businesses, and this role is not about taking that over. It's about reading where each one needs support, whether that's coaching, developing a junior team, or getting stuck into service on a tough night. When a Head Chef is away, your job is to hold standards steady, not to reinvent how they run things.
You'll bring:
- Michelin or rosette-level training or experience, and the standards that come with it
- A genuine love of food, with a deep understanding of ingredients, flavour and technique, and the confidence to teach and inspire junior chefs by leading from the front
- Creative, but grounded, you develop dishes and systems a team can actually execute under pressure, not just ideas that work once in a test kitchen
- A track record in high-volume kitchens, events, and seasonal menu development
- Real commercial confidence: wage management, dish costing, GP, and supplier negotiation, and the ability to hold your own in a finance conversation, not just a kitchen one
- Comfort dipping in and out of established teams, quickly earning trust and getting the best out of people who don't report to you day to day
- A close working relationship with front of house, understanding that food is only half the job
- Confidence working near founders and owners, ideally with experience doing so
- A real way with people, someone who reads what a team needs, adapts to their strengths, lifts morale, and makes a kitchen a better place to work
A week in the life
No two weeks look the same, and that's the nature of the role. Expect a mix of full days embedded in one kitchen, running a section, coaching, training up a Sous Chef, and shorter site visits where you're checking standards and catching up with each Head Chef. You'll carve out time for the commercial side too, wages, dish costs, supplier pricing, and bring what you find into regular check-ins with the Executive Chef, not just flagging issues but talking through the calls together.
Evenings and weekends are part of the job, not the exception. This is hospitality, and the sites are often at their busiest exactly when everyone else is off, so you'll be on the floor for events, high covers, and the moments that need an extra pair of hands or a steadying presence. Some weeks will be heavier on coaching and development, others heavier on being hands-on through a tough service, and reading which one a given week needs is a big part of the role.
Why work with us
You'll be part of a wider group of restaurants and bars, not just one site, with dining discounts that reflect that. You'll eat well on shift too, staff meals and refreshments are part of the job, not an afterthought.
This is a role with genuine reach. You'll work across kitchens, alongside an Executive Chef who wants to develop you, not just deploy you, and with founders who are close to the food and easy to reach.
Your holiday allowance grows with your time here too, an extra day a year up to a maximum of five, and you'll get early access to your earned wages via Stream.
Technical ability can make you a great chef, but it doesn't make you a great leader. We're looking for someone who fits our culture, lifts the people around them, leads with a smile, creates a buzz in the kitchen and earns respect through actions, not ego.
Multi-Site Head Chef in London employer: Open House London
Join a dynamic and supportive culinary team as a Multi-Site Head Chef, where your Michelin or rosette experience will be valued and nurtured. With a focus on collaboration and mentorship, you'll have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills while working across multiple vibrant sites in a thriving hospitality group. Enjoy competitive benefits, including dining discounts, generous holiday allowances that increase with tenure, and a culture that prioritises personal growth and team morale.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Multi-Site Head Chef in London
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Open House London. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Open House London
Don't be shy about reaching out to Open House London directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Multi-Site Head Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Open House London and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Open House London
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
