At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant kitchen, create amazing dishes, and inspire your team.
- Company: Wagamama, where food is life and kitchens are full of energy.
- Benefits: Up to £8,000 bonus, private medical insurance, and 50% off meals.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on wellbeing and individuality.
- Why this job: Join a fresh kitchen, make real food, and foster creativity and connection.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, leadership skills, and a desire to learn and grow.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Full Time at wagamama, food is life. Our kitchens are all about fresh food, fast-paced, and full of real people making real food. No microwaves, no shortcuts, just big energy and bigger flavours.
As head chef, you’ll run the kitchen like it’s your own. Lead the team, smash service, and make sure every bowl is something to be proud of.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Creating a place where your team feels safe, seen, and proud to show up
- Keeping quality sky-high. Every bowl, every time
- Coaching your team to grow in confidence and skill
- Staying cool under pressure and being fast on your feet
- Making your kitchen a place where people want to work and guests can taste the pride
- Thinking with a kaizen mindset. Constantly spotting the little ways we can do things better, then making them happen
You’ll love this role if you...
- Are ready to learn, lead + level up
- Thrive in a fresh kitchen with no microwaves
- Take real pride in your food and your team
- Want to push for better. From prep to bowl
- Believe kitchens should be places of connection, creativity + good vibes
What You’ll Get
- A culture that supports your growth, wellbeing + individuality
- Up to £8,000 annual bonus
- £200 a month to spend at wagamama outside of work
- Private medical insurance
- 50% off wagamama outside of work
- Free meals on shift
- Fresh dry-cleaned chef whites, every shift
- Early access to earned pay with wagestream
- 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for new parents
- First access to our new menus
- 30% off at our other brands (brunning & price pubs, barburrito + more)
In addition to this, we offer benefits such as: pension scheme, holiday, training, cycle to work scheme, retail + leisure discounts, discounted gym memberships + long service awards. We’re proud to be a disability confident employer. No matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our bench.
designate head chef employer: wagamama
At wagamama, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions growth, creativity, and individuality. As a Designate Head Chef, you'll lead a passionate team in a fast-paced kitchen environment where fresh food and big flavours reign supreme, all while enjoying benefits like a generous bonus scheme, private medical insurance, and opportunities for personal development. Join us in creating a workplace where every team member feels valued and inspired to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land designate head chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out wagamama's vibe on social media and their website. This will help you connect with their values and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills under pressure! Since the role is all about smashing service, try cooking your favourite dishes within a time limit. This will help you stay cool and fast on your feet during the actual kitchen trials.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership style! Think about how you can create a supportive environment for your team. Be ready to share examples of how you've coached others and made kitchens a place where everyone feels proud to work.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the wagamama family and ready to bring your big energy and bigger flavours to the table.
We think you need these skills to ace designate head chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for fresh food and cooking shine through. Share your experiences in the kitchen and how you create dishes that make people smile. We want to see your energy and enthusiasm!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a designate head chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've coached others, built a positive kitchen culture, and kept morale high during busy services. We’re all about teamwork!
Emphasise Your Kaizen Mindset:We love a good kaizen approach! In your application, mention how you constantly look for ways to improve processes and quality in the kitchen. Share specific examples of how you've made things better in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to get your application and for you to see all the amazing opportunities we have. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our wagamama family!
How to prepare for a job interview at wagamama
✨Know Your Flavours
Before the interview, brush up on wagamama's menu and their approach to fresh food. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their philosophy of big energy and bigger flavours. Show them you’re passionate about food and understand what makes their dishes special.
✨Lead with Confidence
As a designate head chef, leadership is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in a fast-paced kitchen. Think about times when you’ve coached others or improved team dynamics, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Stay Cool Under Pressure
Wagamama values a calm and efficient kitchen environment. Think of scenarios where you’ve had to stay composed during busy service times. Practise articulating how you manage stress and keep your team motivated when things heat up.
✨Embrace the Kaizen Mindset
Familiarise yourself with the concept of continuous improvement. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve identified areas for improvement in previous roles and implemented changes. Show that you’re proactive and always looking for ways to enhance the kitchen experience.