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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring quality dishes and a positive work culture.
- Company: Join Vida Plena, an innovative hospitality group with a focus on joy and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Experience a vibrant community, training in Lisbon, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a beloved brand's expansion and create exceptional dining experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven kitchen leadership and a passion for casual dining.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to excellence and teamwork.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Vida Plena is an innovative hospitality group founded in Lisbon in 2018, dedicated to making our guests and team feel truly at home. We pride ourselves on delivering warm, blissful experiences, fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, serving top-quality fresh food, and providing exceptional service. Our foundation is built on passion, respect, kindness, ambition, and modernity, alongside a commitment to joy, positive energy, and a laid-back approach to enjoying life's best moments. At Vida Plena, we embrace the true essence of hospitality while adhering to our core values, creating a fun, respectful, and loving environment for all.
We are thrilled to take our much beloved Dallas Burger Joint from Lisbon to London, and excited to search for an experienced and ambitious individual to help preserve the reasons why Dallas has become so special. We’ll be opening this spring in the beating heart of Shoreditch and would love to discuss the opportunity with you if you think this job describes you!
The Role
As a Head Chef - Kitchen Operations, you will oversee quality control of the dishes, stock control and purchasing, and instill a positive culture within the kitchen. You lead the team with positivity and detail, maintaining operational excellence, and creating an exceptional dining experience. Your work drives guest satisfaction, team engagement, and profitable operations. As we continue to scale, we are looking for someone motivated to grow with us.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and cook our beloved burgers, sides, and sauces according to the recipes and standards to ensure every dish maintains its quality and taste.
- Set and track food-cost, labour, and quality targets.
- Motivate, train, and lead the line chefs in the kitchen.
- Maintain supplier partnerships, track pricing changes, and stay on top of purchasing requirements.
- Ensure full legal compliance (HACCP, allergen, food safety & handling).
- Collaborate with FOH and marketing on promotions and special events.
- Oversee inventory control and minimize food waste.
- Properly operate and maintain kitchen equipment.
What We Expect From You
- Experience: Progressive kitchen leadership, ideally in a similar concept.
- Proven track record in quality control and stock management.
- Positive leader who thrives under pressure.
- Team-oriented with a positive attitude.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Attention to detail and consistency.
- Passion for burgers and casual dining food.
What You’ll Love About Working Here
At Vida Plena, you’re not just taking a position; you’re joining a community that values joy, respect, and a collective pursuit of excellence. If you're prepared to bring your expertise, passion, and innovation to our team, we’re excited to welcome you into our fold.
Before opening, we’re excited to bring our chef over to Lisbon, where we are well established, to learn what makes us special directly from our HQ and on-site teams. You’ll learn the ropes, the recipes, and even the secrets that make our dishes so tasty, in hopes that you’ll be the flag bearer of Dallas in London.
Head Chef - Kitchen Operations in London employer: VIDA PLENA
Contact Detail:
VIDA PLENA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Kitchen Operations in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who might know someone at Vida Plena. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demo. This is your moment to shine and prove you can whip up those delicious burgers while keeping the kitchen buzzing.
✨Tip Number 3
Be yourself! Vida Plena values a positive culture, so let your personality shine through in interviews. Share your passion for food and hospitality, and how you can contribute to their joyful environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Vida Plena family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Kitchen Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for burgers and casual dining shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary creativity and how you’ve made a positive impact in previous roles.
Be Specific About Your Experience: We want to know what makes you the perfect fit for the Head Chef role. Detail your past kitchen leadership experiences, especially in quality control and stock management, so we can see how you’ll bring operational excellence to Vida Plena.
Highlight Your Leadership Style: As a positive leader, it’s important to convey how you motivate and train your team. Share examples of how you've fostered a supportive kitchen culture and driven team engagement in your previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on this exciting opportunity to join our community at Vida Plena.
How to prepare for a job interview at VIDA PLENA
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the menu and the ingredients used in each dish. Be ready to discuss how you would maintain quality control and ensure consistency in taste. This shows your passion for food and attention to detail, which are crucial for a Head Chef.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've motivated and trained kitchen staff in the past. Highlight your ability to create a positive culture in the kitchen, as this aligns with Vida Plena's values. They want to see that you can lead under pressure while keeping the team engaged.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of food-cost management and stock control. Be ready to discuss how you would track these metrics and minimise waste. This demonstrates your understanding of the operational excellence that Vida Plena is looking for.
✨Embrace the Company Culture
Research Vida Plena’s core values and be prepared to discuss how you embody them. Share your thoughts on creating a fun and respectful environment in the kitchen. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
