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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring exceptional food quality and guest experiences.
- Company: Join a globally expanding restaurant known for authentic Japanese cuisine.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, professional development, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team and make a real impact on guests' dining experiences.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, leadership skills, and kitchen experience required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a chance to win a trip to Japan!
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We burst onto the restaurant scene in 1997, when we shook up London and showed the UK a new way of eating. Part of this was the 'kaiten' conveyor belt and colour-coded dishes which made our name. We’re all about fresh, flavoursome, authentic Japanese food. Sushi is what we’re famous for, but we also have a mouth‑watering range of hot street food available – from traditional classics to innovative fusion dishes. All packed with rich, aromatic flavours and umami.
We are looking for dynamic individuals with a love and passion for food to join us on our exciting journey. Our people are at the heart of what we do: You will be a role model, have an appetite for success and a real thirst for delivering exceptional results. You will be ambitious and hungry to learn. You will always strive to do your best. You will be enthusiastic and have a positive disposition. You will embrace challenges head on, with a willing can‑do attitude. You will want to be part of our success story.
What you will be doing: The Head Chef is responsible for the entire operation of their YO! Kitchen and ultimately accountable for the safety of our teams & guests. Leading and inspiring the kitchen team you are obsessive about food quality, adherence to spec and can prepare each and every YO! dish brilliantly. Happy teams and Happy guests is the mantra by which you live and instil this modus operandi across the team. You are passionate about an incredible guest experience, developing the team to Super Squad status and driving the profitability of your restaurant through great controls of food cost lines. Comfortable and natural in all sections of the kitchen, you cut fish, cook rice, roll sushi, and prepare our kitchens every day. You are also an inspirational presence in your restaurant, running high energy shifts from the kitchen and ensuring each and every day part delivers an outstanding experience for our guests and team.
We’re proud to offer:
- Fantastic working hours
- Free YO! food – What’s your favourite YO! dish? Every time you work you can power your shift with a selection of your choice from our fantastic menu
- Grow with YO! – we will pay for you to achieve professional qualifications (up to Degree level) whilst you work
- Brilliant support services designed to enhance your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including private medical health plan and 24/7 Employee Assistance Line
- Discounted gym membership, cinema tickets, dining out and retail offers are all available by accessing our reward platform
- 50% off your food every time you dine with us for you and 3 friends
- Award-winning sustainability initiatives - We’re committed to delivering progress against 9 UN sustainability goals, just some of the actions we’ve already taken include: 100% of all Salmon sourced from certified sustainable sources, Zero use of Species classed as MCS "Fish to Avoid", 1/3 rd of our Restaurant menu is plant‑led and we are proud member of the Global Tuna Alliance
- Free trip to Japan! - our Annual Awards ceremony celebrates your success – with the winners being awarded a trip to Japan
- Job security – Joining an award-winning, globally expanding business gives you the opportunity to grow your career alongside us
About us: Come roll with us and be part of something big. Celebrate global success across: Over 1500 retail kiosks globally (YO!, Panku, Mai Taiko Snowfox & Bento), Our Taiko manufacturing and distribution centre, 63 YO! restaurants, 3700 locations globally From Hawaii to Aberdeen.
Our Values Own it, Care About It, Make it Exceptional, Win Together. Ready to Roll? Come roll with us and play a key role by bringing people together to celebrate better food for everyone the Japanese way...
Head Chef employer: Pankufood
Contact Detail:
Pankufood Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the restaurant's vibe! Before your interview, pop into one of our locations and soak up the atmosphere. This will help you understand our culture and give you some great talking points when you're chatting with us.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food! Bring along some examples of your culinary creations or even a portfolio of your best dishes. We love seeing what makes you tick in the kitchen, so don’t hold back!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your skills! We might ask you to whip up a dish or two during the interview. So, brush up on your sushi rolling and cooking techniques – we want to see that you can deliver our exceptional standards!
✨Tip Number 4
Connect with us online! Follow our social media channels and engage with our posts. It shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our journey and helps you stay updated on what’s happening at YO!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your experiences with Japanese cuisine and how it inspires you. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the quality and authenticity of every dish.
Be Authentic and Personal: Don’t be afraid to inject a bit of your personality into your application. We’re looking for dynamic individuals, so tell us what makes you unique! Whether it's a quirky cooking story or your favourite YO! dish, make it personal and memorable.
Highlight Your 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 inspired others in the kitchen and created a positive environment. We want to know how you can help us keep our teams happy and motivated!
Apply Through Our Website: Ready to take the plunge? Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to get your application and for you to stay updated on your progress. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from passionate candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pankufood
✨Know Your Sushi
Make sure you brush up on your sushi knowledge! Familiarise yourself with the different types of sushi and the ingredients used in YO!'s dishes. Being able to discuss your favourite dishes and how they’re made will show your passion for Japanese cuisine.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to inspire your team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen before, tackled challenges, and created a positive environment. Highlight your ability to motivate others and maintain high standards.
✨Emphasise Food Quality
Be ready to talk about your obsession with food quality. Discuss how you ensure adherence to specifications and how you maintain consistency in food preparation. This is crucial for delivering the exceptional results that YO! prides itself on.
✨Bring Your Can-Do Attitude
YO! is looking for someone with a positive disposition and a willingness to embrace challenges. Be prepared to share instances where you've tackled difficult situations head-on and how your attitude contributed to a successful outcome.
