At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our kitchen team as a Wok Chef, creating exceptional dishes daily.
- Company: Plaza Khao Gaeng is an award-winning Southern Thai restaurant in London's vibrant Arcade Food Hall.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 50% off dining, discounted gym memberships, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team in a critically acclaimed restaurant group that values your unique skills.
- Qualifications: Previous experience as a Wok Chef in a quality restaurant is essential.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on genuine hospitality and personal growth.
Salary - up to £16ph
Schedule - Full Time
Experience - Previous experience as a Wok Chef within a quality restaurant.
Plaza Khao Gaeng are seeking a Wok Chef to join their team. The successful candidate will be friendly, personable and passionate about all things food and drink. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Wok Chef looking for a new role in an award-winning, critically acclaimed group.
The Restaurant: Khao gaeng broadly means curry over rice. Plaza Khao Gaeng, Arcade Food Halls flagship Southern Thai restaurant, is a celebration of the coast to jungle cuisine. It’s a kaleidoscope of curries thick with fresh coconut milk and aromatic curry pastes, fermented fish for depth, and searingly hot stir fries with cooling herbs alongside. Khao gaeng restaurants fill the space around them the more popular they become. Plaza is inspired by one such place that has taken over an old movie theatre in Bangkok. Curries set out in gleaming trays fill the entrance under the faded façade and up the stairs to the box office. This anytime comfort food provides pause in a place cool and quiet from the bustle of the street below. It is in this spirit Plaza Khao Gaeng fills the mezzanine at Arcade Food Hall. Located just off Tottenham Court Road, in Londons Centre Point, Arcade Food Hall showcases our core philosophy of creating multiple unique brands, and championing emerging food and drink talent, all under one roof.
The Position: We’re looking for an experienced Wok Chef to join our kitchen team, creating exceptional dishes and delivering an all-encapsulating experience to our guests. You’ll have experience working in a quality kitchen, adhering to standard operating and Health and Safety procedures. More importantly, we are looking for people who are as passionate about food and hospitality as we are!
If you have the following, then we want to hear from you:
- Prior experience as a Wok Chef within a fast-paced quality restaurant;
- Eagerness to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in;
- A creative approach with impeccable attention to detail;
- Passion for food and hospitality, along with the eagerness to continually learn;
- The desire to develop your career within an ambitious and trend-setting restaurant group.
Benefits & Culture: Our team is the most important part of our business, translating our passion for genuine hospitality to our guests every day. We are proud to work with industry-leading talent and recognise the importance of offering our teams the tools, guidance and experience necessary to build confidence and grow. We encourage you to bring your whole self to work and celebrate the skills and characteristics that make you unique. Your commitment to be kind and work hard comes with a range of benefits such as:
- Treat Yourself: Up to 50% off dining across JKS Restaurants
- Retail & Takeaway Discounts
- Code App Membership
- Look After Yourself: Discounted Gym Membership
- Wagestream: stream your pay earlier
- Company Donations for your involvement with Charities
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to Financial Advice
- Wedding Gift & New-born Care Package - Celebrating your big occasions
- Progress Yourself: Access to our fantastic L&D Calendar
- A personalised learning & development plan to develop your skills and knowledge
- Career progression with a fast-growing, critically acclaimed restaurant group.
- Be Yourself: Employee referral scheme - paying up to £600 per referral
- Staff parties & long service awards
The Group: JKS Restaurants was founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam, and Sunaina Sethi in November 2008. Since its inception, the group has received critical acclaim and industry recognition, including 7 Michelin stars, 4 Michelin Bib Gourmands, a restaurant ranked among the Worlds 100 Best Restaurants, and a spot in the Sunday Times Best 100 Places to Work 2024. The JKS portfolio currently features Michelin-starred restaurants such as Trishna, Gymkhana, Kitchen Table, Sabor, and Lyles, along with cult favourites Hoppers, BAO, Brigadiers, Berenjak, Plaza Khao Gaeng, Speedboat Bar, Bibi, and Ambassadors Clubhouse. Pubs include The Cadogan Arms, The George and The Hound. JKS Restaurants offers a unique opportunity to pursue a career in fine dining or to develop within trend-focused casual cuisine, with opportunities across all disciplines for those looking to advance their careers within a people-focused, collaborative hospitality group.
Wok Chef employer: Plaza Khao Gaeng
Contact Detail:
Plaza Khao Gaeng Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Wok Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dishes and cooking techniques used at Plaza Khao Gaeng. Understanding their unique approach to Southern Thai cuisine will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of JKS Restaurants. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and what it takes to succeed as a Wok Chef, which can give you an edge in your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for food and hospitality by engaging in relevant culinary events or workshops. This not only enhances your skills but also demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning, which is highly valued by employers like us.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in fast-paced kitchens during the interview. Highlight specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as this will illustrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment like Plaza Khao Gaeng.
We think you need these skills to ace Wok Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your previous experience as a Wok Chef, focusing on your skills in creating exceptional dishes and working in a fast-paced kitchen environment. Use specific examples to demonstrate your passion for food and hospitality.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your enthusiasm for the role at Plaza Khao Gaeng. Mention your eagerness to learn and develop within the restaurant group, and how your creative approach aligns with their culinary philosophy.
Showcase Your Passion: In your application, express your love for Southern Thai cuisine and your commitment to delivering an all-encapsulating experience to guests. This will help you stand out as someone who truly resonates with the restaurant's ethos.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in the culinary world.
How to prepare for a job interview at Plaza Khao Gaeng
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your love for food and hospitality during the interview. Share your experiences with different cuisines, especially Thai food, and how they inspire your cooking style.
✨Demonstrate Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous roles as a Wok Chef in detail. Highlight specific dishes you’ve created, the techniques you used, and how you maintained high standards in a fast-paced kitchen.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration
Since the restaurant values a collaborative environment, share examples of how you've worked effectively within a team. Discuss how you contribute to a positive kitchen atmosphere and support your colleagues.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the restaurant's menu, culture, and future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it’s the right fit for you.