At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen team and create delicious Mexican dishes from scratch.
- Company: Wahaca, a top Mexican restaurant founded by a MasterChef winner.
- Benefits: 70% off food, free meals, bonuses, and sabbaticals every 5 years.
- Other info: Fun events and a supportive environment to help you thrive.
- Why this job: Join us to inspire your team and deliver unforgettable dining experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality leadership and a passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Wahaca is a leading Mexican restaurant in the UK, founded by Thomasina Miers (MasterChef winner) and Mark Selby. Inspired by their time in Mexico, their mission is to show the UK how vibrant and delicious Mexican food is, championing great British produce and sourcing ingredients locally. Rooted in our founders' values, we serve a taste of Mexican sunshine through showing pride, staying humble, choosing integrity, having fun, and thinking positively. With an upbeat atmosphere and chef made dishes, we believe every meal should be an adventure and every guest a friend.
As Head Chef, you bring our food philosophy to life on every plate, setting the tone in the kitchen and building a culture of pride and accountability. We're looking for a hospitality leader who will play a pivotal role in driving our brand standards forward and inspiring their team to deliver a WOW-worthy experience for every guest.
How you’ll drive success:
- Work alongside your General Manager to maintain the highest food safety standards
- Lead, manage and develop a strong kitchen team including Sous Chef, section chefs, prep chefs and kitchen assistants
- Inspire and guide your team by leading from the front, always ready to step in and support, ensuring all guests are served up a taste of Mexican sunshine
- Champion a positive environment and deeply care about your team, supporting their growth and progression
- A passion for fresh food - our dishes are made from scratch using seasonal ingredients, and you’ll ensure our chefs are fully trained to follow recipes and maintain the highest standards
- Take ownership for stock control and ordering and confidently manage systems that support daily operations
People do their best work when they feel looked after inside and outside of work - because when our teams thrive, so do our guests. Creating a supportive, inclusive and energising environment is just as important to us as delivering great food and service. That’s why we offer a range of great benefits:
FINANCIAL:
- 70% off food and 50% off drinks when dining at Wahaca with up to 3 friends
- £100 to celebrate your probation in Wahaca
- Up to £1,000 through friend referrals
- Quarterly bonus scheme
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption pay
- Early access to wages, financial support and discounts through Stream
HEALTH AND WELLBEING:
- Free, nutritious meal every time you work, freshly made by our talented chefs
- Cycle to work scheme
- Support from our trained Mental Health First Aiders
- Time off for when needed; like your child’s first day at school
- Sabbatical - 4 weeks paid off work - every 5 years
DEVELOPMENT:
- Training courses: Mental Health First Aid, Food Safety LV 3.
- Inspirational trips with our co-founders
- Own development plan - we are committed to growing our people from within
SOCIAL:
- Unwind and turn up the fun at one of our many events across the year such as WOW Fest!
- Our very own Masterchef and Cocktail competitions
- The fun is in your hands with allocated funds and time to drive the fun with your team
If you’re inspired by what you’ve read and have a passion for delivering exceptional hospitality, we’d be thrilled to have you join our team!
Head Chef in City of Westminster employer: Surety Hospitality
Wahaca is an exceptional employer that values creativity and teamwork, offering a vibrant work culture where fresh ingredients and local produce take centre stage. Employees enjoy fantastic benefits such as food discounts and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for those passionate about culinary excellence in a lively and inclusive setting.
