At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop kitchen teams in vibrant London venues, ensuring exceptional food quality and service.
- Company: Join The Columbo Group, a dynamic hospitality group with a passion for people and food.
- Benefits: Enjoy staff discounts, competitive salary, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Fast-growing company with excellent career progression and a collaborative atmosphere.
- 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 required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We’re 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 Queen’s 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’re 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’ll 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.
As Junior Executive Chef, you will lead the people, performance, culture, and operational standards of our kitchens across multiple venues. You’ll 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
- 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
- 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
What We’re Looking For
Why Join The Columbo Group?
Junior Executive Chef employer: The Columbo Group
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 a platform for personal growth but also allows you to make a meaningful impact in a fast-growing independent hospitality group.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Executive Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! Spend time in the kitchens of the venues you’re applying to. Show them you’re not just about the paperwork; you want to be part of the action, coaching and leading from the front.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other chefs and hospitality professionals on social media or at industry events. Building relationships can open doors and give you insider info on job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for food and people! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your experiences and how you’ve developed teams in the past. Let them see your enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. It shows initiative and gives you a better chance to stand out from the crowd.
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 specific experiences that highlight your hands-on approach in kitchens and how you’ve developed teams in the past.
Highlight Leadership Skills:Make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've coached and mentored others, and provide examples of how you've built strong kitchen cultures and improved team performance.
Be Specific About Standards:We want to see your understanding of kitchen standards and operations. Mention any relevant experience with cleanliness, compliance, and food quality, and how you’ve maintained these across multiple sites.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Columbo Group
✨Know Your Venues
Before the interview, take some time to research The Blues Kitchen, The Jazz Cafe, and The Old Queen’s Head. Understand their menus, vibe, and what makes them special. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience with their unique offerings.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your approach to coaching and mentoring kitchen teams. Share specific examples of how you've developed others in previous roles. Highlight your hands-on leadership style and how you thrive in high-pressure environments, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Standards and Quality
Prepare to talk about your experience with maintaining high standards in kitchen operations. Discuss how you've ensured cleanliness, compliance, and food quality in past positions. Use concrete examples to illustrate your commitment to excellence and consistency.
✨Engage with Financial Acumen
Since the role involves understanding kitchen financial performance, be prepared to discuss your experience with cost control, GP improvements, and stock management. Show that you can balance culinary creativity with commercial awareness, which is key for success in this position.
