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- Tasks: Lead and elevate kitchen teams across iconic London venues with hands-on coaching.
- Company: Join The Columbo Group, a vibrant hospitality leader in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, competitive salary, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression in a creative, people-focused setting.
- Why this job: Shape kitchen culture and develop future culinary leaders in an exciting environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior chef roles and strong people development skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are looking for an exceptional Group Head 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 Group Head 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
Group Head Chef in London employer: The Columbo Group Limited
Contact Detail:
The Columbo Group Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Head Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venues! Spend some time in The Blues Kitchen, The Jazz Cafe, and The Old Queens Head. Familiarise yourself with their vibe, menu, and team dynamics. This will help you connect better during interviews and show your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at the venues. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have. This insider knowledge can give you an edge and make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached and developed kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you’ve fostered positive kitchen cultures.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and ready to dive into the exciting world of hospitality with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Head Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality: When writing your application, let your love for the kitchen and hospitality shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your hands-on approach and how you thrive in high-pressure environments.
Highlight Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Talk about how you've coached and developed teams in the past. Mention any successful training programmes or mentorships you've implemented to elevate kitchen standards.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Detail your previous roles and responsibilities, especially in multi-site operations. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to maintain exceptional standards and drive performance across various venues.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into the process. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Columbo Group Limited
✨Know Your Venues
Before the interview, make sure you 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 leadership approach and how you've developed kitchen teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've coached Head Chefs or improved team performance. This is a senior role, so demonstrating your ability to lead from the front is crucial.
✨Emphasise Operational Excellence
Prepare to talk about your experience with kitchen operations, cleanliness, and compliance. Highlight any systems or processes you've implemented that improved efficiency or food quality. This aligns perfectly with the core pillars of the role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess how you'd handle real-life kitchen challenges. Think about scenarios involving team conflicts, high-pressure service times, or maintaining standards across multiple venues. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident during the interview.