At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the pizza kitchen, ensuring quality and consistency while managing a motivated team.
- Company: Join The Old Queen’s Head, a vibrant pub with a unique pizza concept.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% off food, career growth opportunities, and exciting global industry trips.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a growing pizza concept and showcase your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in high-volume pizza kitchens and strong dough management skills.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with a clear path for personal and professional success.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Pizza Head Chef to lead the kitchen at The Old Queen’s Head, one of North London’s most iconic pubs and home to Hot Saint, our in house pizza concept. This role is focused purely on pizza. You’ll own the food offer during the week and play a key part in delivering high volume weekends in a venue that moves from neighbourhood pub to late night institution without missing a beat. If you know dough inside out, care about consistency, and want proper ownership of a growing concept, this is for you.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading the Hot Saint pizza kitchen day to day
- Protecting quality, consistency and pace of service
- Managing prep, ordering, stock and supplier relationships
- Building and developing a tight, motivated pizza team
- Writing rotas and managing labour in line with sales
- Driving GP, cost control and minimising wastage
- Maintaining strong food safety and compliance standards
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous in a high volume pizza kitchen
- Strong knowledge of dough management, fermentation and pizza ovens
- A calm, organised leader who can run busy services without drama
- Commercial awareness and confidence managing stock, margins and labour
- High standards when it comes to cleanliness, systems and consistency
Why You’ll Love Working With Us:
- Food & Social Perks: Enjoy 50% off across our venues, plus access to our annual celebrations, events, and festivals.
- Career Growth: At The Columbo Academy, your ambition is our inspiration. We’re here to guide you on a clear path to personal and professional success.
- Hero of the Month: Stand out and be rewarded with a paid weekend off.
- Employee Referrals: Earn £1,000 for Chef/Manager referrals or £250 for hourly roles when you bring in talent.
- Global Industry Trips: For our top performers and wine experts, your next adventure awaits.
- Pension via Nest: Secure your future with our pension plan.
Head Pizza Chef employer: The Columbo Group
Contact Detail:
The Columbo Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Pizza Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and industry folks. Attend local food events or workshops, and don’t be shy about chatting with people. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Head Pizza Chef role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a pizza pop-up or a tasting event to showcase your dough mastery and creativity. This not only builds your portfolio but also gets your name out there in the pizza community.
✨Tip Number 3
Keep your social media game strong! Share your pizza creations and kitchen adventures on platforms like Instagram. Tagging relevant venues and using popular hashtags can help you catch the eye of potential employers looking for a passionate pizza chef.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented chefs who are ready to take ownership of their craft. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Pizza Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Pizza: When you're writing your application, let your love for pizza shine through! Share your experiences with dough management and any unique pizza creations you've made. We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but a pizza enthusiast!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated your team in busy kitchens and how you handle the pressure during peak times. We need someone who can keep things running smoothly!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just say you have experience; show us! Mention specific roles you've held, the volume of pizzas you've managed, and any systems you've implemented for quality control. The more details, the better we can see you fitting into our pizza concept.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at The Old Queen’s Head!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Columbo Group
✨Know Your Dough
Make sure you can talk confidently about dough management and fermentation. Brush up on your knowledge of different types of pizza bases and how they affect the final product. Being able to discuss your experience with various pizza ovens will also show that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in high-pressure situations. Think about times when you’ve managed staff effectively, maintained quality during busy services, and kept morale high. This will demonstrate that you can handle the fast-paced environment at The Old Queen’s Head.
✨Understand Cost Control
Familiarise yourself with key financial metrics related to running a kitchen. Be ready to discuss how you’ve previously managed stock, controlled costs, and minimised wastage. Showing that you have a commercial mindset will impress the interviewers and highlight your ability to drive profitability.
✨Emphasise Cleanliness and Compliance
Be prepared to talk about your approach to food safety and hygiene standards. Share specific examples of how you’ve maintained cleanliness in the kitchen and ensured compliance with regulations. This is crucial for any head chef role, especially in a busy pub setting.