At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, creating fresh, high-quality dishes daily.
- Company: Join Loungers, where real cooking and real people come together to delight customers.
- Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff discounts, paid breaks, and a vibrant staff party!
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team, with opportunities for personal growth and career progression.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills required.
- Other info: Follow us on LinkedIn or social media to learn more about our culture!
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
You love real cooking. We love real cooking. Customers love real cooking. It\’s a no-brainer so you wonder why so many other places don\’t do it. We do it, and you\’ll be doing it with us – fresh, customer led, and with high-quality ingredients. We also love our real people who run Lounges. The person who runs these brilliant people has to be super-brilliant, and that\’ll be you. Your standards will be as high as ours, but exactly how you do it will be unique to you.
You\’ll be doing it your way. You\’ll be part of a dedicated, supportive team, working from our flexible all-day menu to give people food that\’ll make their day. It\’ll be your responsibility to make each dish to spec, in a clean and safe kitchen, and to make sure all prep and par is completed for each shift. You\’ll be helping every customer leave happy. Which they tend to do. Thanks to your great food.
The Good Stuff
- Overtime pay for every hour worked over contracted hours!
- Staff food on every shift
- 50% off staff discount to enjoy outside working hours from day one
- Paid breaks
- 28 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays) pro rata
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after 2 years service
- The most talked-about staff party in hospitality – Loungefest!
- Competitions and incentives (like jetting off on an all expenses paid trip with one of our suppliers)
- Company pension scheme
- Long service awards
- Power over your pay with Wagestream
- Emotional and practical support via the Licenced Trade Charity
- Great opportunity for personal development and career progression in a fast growing business
- Achievable bonuses
- Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
- Christmas and Boxing Day off!
What you\’ll bring
- You are probably an existing Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef looking for your first step into a Head Chef role.
- You will have experience of working with fresh ingredients and be able to demonstrate good chef/kitchen skills (food prep hot and cold, cleaning, knife skills, good hygiene practices)
- Your work ethic is rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in and leading from the front; playing an active role in delivering excellent kitchen and food standards as part of a high performing team.
- Familiar with managing through clear KPIs and making decisions considering labour; stock; food safety requirements plus others.
- You will have worked in kitchen environments where you\’re required to report on various metrics including GPs; labour/house; food preparation.
- You will have demonstrated successful delivery of training and recruitment for kitchen teams including Apprentices, KPs, Chefs, Junior Sous Chefs and Sous Chefs.
If you want to find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn or @life.at.loungers on TikTok and Instagram.
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Head Chef employer: The Lounges
Contact Detail:
The Lounges Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with our menu and cooking style. Understanding the fresh, customer-led approach we take will help you demonstrate your passion for real cooking during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past. Highlighting your experience in training and recruitment will set you apart as a candidate who can lead our dedicated team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your experience with KPIs and metrics. We value candidates who can make informed decisions based on labour, stock, and food safety requirements, so come prepared with specific examples from your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with us on social media! Following our LinkedIn and Instagram accounts can give you insights into our culture and values, which you can reference in your conversations to show your genuine interest in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or Sous Chef. Focus on your skills with fresh ingredients, food preparation, and kitchen management. Use specific examples to demonstrate your achievements in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for real cooking and your leadership style. Mention how you align with the company's values and your unique approach to managing a kitchen. Be sure to express your enthusiasm for creating memorable dining experiences.
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, include specific examples of your chef skills, such as food prep techniques, hygiene practices, and team training. Highlight any experience you have with KPIs and metrics relevant to kitchen management, as this will show your understanding of the business side of running a kitchen.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial in a kitchen environment. Consider asking a friend to review it as well.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Lounges
✨Show Your Passion for Real Cooking
Make sure to express your love for cooking with fresh ingredients during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you've created and how you prioritise quality in your kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Highlight your experience in managing kitchen staff, training new chefs, and maintaining high standards. Be ready to discuss how you motivate your team and handle challenges.
✨Know Your KPIs
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to kitchen management. Be prepared to discuss how you've used metrics like GP, labour costs, and food safety to make informed decisions in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions about your cooking techniques and kitchen practices. Be ready to explain your approach to food prep, hygiene, and maintaining a clean kitchen. You might even be asked to demonstrate your knife skills or cooking methods.