At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop kitchen teams in London's top hospitality venues.
- Company: Join The Columbo Group, a vibrant and people-focused hospitality group.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, competitive salary, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression in a fast-growing company.
- Why this job: Shape kitchen culture and develop future culinary leaders in an exciting environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior chef roles and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We are looking for an exceptional Junior Executive Chef to lead, develop, and elevate kitchen teams across some of London's most loved hospitality venues, including The Blues Kitchen, The Jazz Cafe, and The Old Queens Head. This is a senior leadership role for a passionate, people-first operator who thrives in high volume hospitality and genuinely loves being in kitchens, around teams, and in service. This is not an office-based role - we are looking for someone hands-on, present, and visible in venues every week, coaching teams in real time and leading from the floor.
Working closely with our Executive Chef, the mission of this role is built around three core pillars:
- Standards - exceptional kitchen organisation, cleanliness, compliance, and audit performance
- Consistency - strong training, development, leadership, and people practices across every site
- Quality - delivering consistently outstanding food and guest experiences
Reporting into the Executive Chef, you will work closely with the CEOs, Head of Operations, Head of People, Head Chefs, and General Managers to build high performing kitchens, develop future leaders, and strengthen food operations across the group.
The Role
As Junior Executive Chef, you will lead the people, performance, culture, and operational standards of our kitchens across multiple venues. You will spend the majority of your time in venues - supporting services, coaching teams, auditing standards, and developing people directly.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Development
- Coach, mentor, and develop Head Chefs into confident, high performing leaders
- Build clear development pathways and succession plans across kitchen teams
- Lead regular 1-2-1s, performance reviews, and career conversations
- Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and team engagement
- Foster positive, accountable kitchen cultures aligned with company values
- Lead by example in standards, behaviour, and leadership style
- Standards & Operations
- Drive exceptional standards of cleanliness, organisation, and kitchen operations
- Conduct regular site visits, audits, and operational reviews
- Ensure consistency in food quality, presentation, and service execution
- Maintain strong food hygiene, HACCP, allergen, and health & safety standards
- Ensure kitchens are efficient, structured, and aligned with company expectations
- Performance & Financials
- Support Head Chefs in understanding and owning kitchen financial performance
- Drive improvements in GP, labour efficiency, and cost control
- Review reporting and coach teams to improve operational performance
- Support effective stock control, ordering, and supplier management
- Food & Quality
- Ensure food quality is consistently delivered at a high standard across all sites
- Support kitchens in executing menus efficiently and consistently
What We Are Looking For
- Proven experience in a senior multi-site chef or operational leadership role
- A hands-on leader who genuinely enjoys being in kitchens and developing teams
- Strong coaching, mentoring, and people development capability
- Experience improving team performance, engagement, and retention
- Commercial understanding of kitchen financials and operational performance
- Calm, organised, and solutions focused under pressure
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Passion for hospitality, standards, consistency, and food quality
Why Join The Columbo Group?
- The opportunity to shape kitchen culture across some of London's most exciting hospitality venues
- A genuine platform to develop people and build future culinary leaders
- Career progression within a fast-growing independent hospitality group
- A collaborative, creative, and people-focused environment
- Staff discounts across The Columbo Group venues
- Competitive salary package
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
Junior Executive Chef employer: The Columbo Group Limited
Join The Columbo Group as a Junior Executive Chef and immerse yourself in a vibrant, people-first culture that champions culinary excellence across some of London's most beloved venues. With a focus on hands-on leadership, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape kitchen standards, mentor future leaders, and enjoy competitive benefits including staff discounts and ongoing training. This role not only offers career progression within a fast-growing independent hospitality group but also allows you to thrive in a collaborative environment where your passion for food and hospitality can truly shine.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Executive Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! As a Junior Executive Chef, being present in the kitchen is key. Show up, engage with your team, and demonstrate your passion for cooking and leadership. This will not only boost morale but also help you build strong relationships with your staff.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, connect with other chefs, and don’t be shy about sharing your experiences. Building a solid network can open doors to opportunities and give you insights into what’s happening in the culinary world.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in seeking feedback. Regularly ask your team for their thoughts on kitchen operations and food quality. This shows that you value their input and are committed to continuous improvement, which is crucial in a high-volume environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in our kitchens. By applying directly, you’ll have a better chance of standing out and landing that dream role with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Executive Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through. Share your experiences in kitchens and how they’ve shaped your passion for creating exceptional dining experiences.
Highlight Leadership Skills:Make sure to emphasise your leadership and mentoring abilities. We want to see how you've developed teams in the past and how you plan to continue doing so in this role.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Use concrete examples from your previous roles to demonstrate your operational expertise and understanding of kitchen financials. This will help us see how you can contribute to our high standards.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with us.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Columbo Group Limited
✨Know Your Venues
Before the interview, take some time to research The Blues Kitchen, The Jazz Cafe, and The Old Queens Head. Understand their menus, vibe, and what makes them special. This will show your passion for the role and help you connect with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your approach to coaching and developing kitchen teams. Share specific examples of how you've mentored others in the past and how you plan to foster a positive kitchen culture. Highlight your hands-on leadership style and how it aligns with their people-first approach.
✨Demonstrate Your Standards Knowledge
Since this role focuses heavily on standards and compliance, be prepared to talk about your experience with kitchen organisation, cleanliness, and food safety. Discuss any relevant certifications you have and how you ensure high standards in your current or previous roles.
✨Prepare Questions About Growth
Think of insightful questions to ask about career progression and development opportunities within the company. This shows that you're not just interested in the role but also in growing with the organisation and contributing to its success.
