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- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations, train teams, and ensure high-quality food standards.
- Company: Join Tigermilk, a vibrant restaurant group expanding in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Shape kitchen standards and build strong teams in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in kitchens, 2+ years in leadership, and a passion for training.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting expansion with opportunities for growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Tigermilk is a fast-growing restaurant group with 12 locations across Europe — 10 in France, 1 in Belgium, and our newest opening in London. We bring Latin American–inspired cuisine and cocktails to life in vibrant, centrally located restaurants — 100% homemade, responsibly sourced, and built on strong brand identity and guest experience. We’re accelerating our expansion in the UK, with multiple openings planned across London and beyond — and we’re looking for an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen teams, ensure flawless execution of our food standards, and build the training and operational structure needed to scale successfully.
This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in high-energy kitchens and is passionate about developing people, maintaining strict hygiene and compliance, and delivering consistent, high-quality Tigermilk food — every day, at every site.
The Role
As Head Chef / Kitchen Lead – UK, you will be responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality Tigermilk food standards in the UK. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will:
- Lead daily kitchen operations and execution during prep and service
- Train, develop, and structure kitchen teams to build autonomy and consistency
- Oversee recruitment and onboarding for kitchen hires
- Maintain strong hygiene, food safety, and compliance standards
- Support future openings through training and operational setup
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Deliver consistent food quality, taste, plating, and speed during every service
- Ensure strict compliance with technical sheets, recipes, and portion control (grammage)
- Maintain strong coordination with FOH/GM to ensure smooth service flow
Training & Team Development
- Build and run a structured training programme for cooks (onboarding, station training, assessments)
- Coach and upskill kitchen teams to reach consistent performance across stations
- Maintain clear training tools: SOPs, checklists, prep guides, plating references
People Management
- Lead and motivate teams through strong standards, discipline, and positive culture
- Support performance development through feedback, coaching, and structure
- Organise schedules and team planning in coordination with Operations
Recruitment Oversight
- Support and oversee kitchen recruitment: interviews, trial shifts, evaluation, selection
- Ensure onboarding is effective and team structure supports performance and retention
- Build a pipeline of talent to support new openings
Stock Discipline & Storage Organisation
- Maintain disciplined labelling, date control (prep/use-by), FIFO rotation, and organised storage
- Keep fridges/freezers/dry storage structured to support fast inventories and reduce waste
Hygiene, Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure the kitchen is UK food-safety compliant and EHO-ready at all times
- Enforce HACCP-based procedures, allergen controls, temperature checks, logs and traceability
- Maintain daily and weekly cleaning routines (opening/closing checklists, deep cleans)
- Train teams on hygiene behaviours, cross-contamination prevention, and allergen awareness
New Openings & Expansion
- Play a key role in pre-opening and launch phases: kitchen setup, training plans, test services
- Support future sites to embed strong standards from day one
- Be mobile to support openings and multi-site needs when required
What We’re Looking For
- 5+ years in professional kitchens, with 2+ years in a leadership role (Sous Chef / Head Chef / Kitchen Manager)
- Experience in high-volume, fast-paced service environments
- Strong leadership with a genuine passion for training and developing teams
- Strong understanding of UK hygiene and food safety compliance (HACCP, allergens, logs)
- Highly structured, disciplined and consistent — you build systems, not just services
- New opening experience is a strong advantage
What Success Looks Like
- Consistent food quality and standards across services and teams
- Strong, autonomous kitchen teams with clear training structure
- A clean, organised, audit-ready kitchen every day
- Successful recruitment and onboarding to support growth
- Smooth and repeatable openings as Tigermilk expands in the UK
Why Join Tigermilk?
- Join a fast-growing European group launching and scaling in the UK
- Real opportunity to shape kitchen standards and build teams from the ground up
- High-energy restaurants with a strong brand identity and guest experience focus
- Career progression opportunities through growth and expansion
Location & Contract
- Location: London (Tottenham Court Road) with travel for openings
- Contract: Full-time, permanent
- Salary: competitive, based on experience
HEAD CHEF / KITCHEN LEAD (UK) employer: Tigermilk Group
Contact Detail:
Tigermilk Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HEAD CHEF / KITCHEN LEAD (UK)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other chefs and industry professionals. Attend culinary events, join local chef associations, or even hit up social media groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head Chef role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and kitchen management strategies. A well-presented portfolio can really set you apart from the competition and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to restaurants you admire, like Tigermilk Group, and express your interest in working with them. A personal touch can go a long way in making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your online presence sharp! Update your LinkedIn profile and any culinary platforms you use. Share your experiences, achievements, and even some cooking tips. This not only showcases your expertise but also makes it easier for recruiters to find you when they’re looking for a Head Chef.
We think you need these skills to ace HEAD CHEF / KITCHEN LEAD (UK)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through! Share your experiences in high-energy kitchens and how you’ve developed teams to deliver consistent, high-quality dishes.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you lead and motivate kitchen teams. Talk about your experience in training, structuring teams, and maintaining a positive culture. This is key for us at Tigermilk!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your past roles; give us the juicy details! Mention specific achievements, like successful openings or improvements in food safety compliance. We love numbers and results!
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tigermilk Group
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Tigermilk's menu and their approach to Latin American cuisine. Be ready to discuss how you would maintain their food standards and what unique ideas you could bring to the table.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head Chef, your leadership skills are crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully trained and developed kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your ability to create a positive culture and maintain discipline while ensuring high standards.
✨Demonstrate Your Compliance Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with UK food safety regulations and HACCP procedures. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in a busy kitchen and share any experiences where you’ve successfully managed hygiene and safety standards.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling high-pressure situations, such as managing a busy service or dealing with staffing issues. Think of specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to keep the kitchen running smoothly.
