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- Tasks: Lead and inspire your kitchen team to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
- Company: Join wagamama, a vibrant restaurant chain celebrating individuality and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy bonuses, flexible pay access, free meals, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture that values personal growth and culinary excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and a passion for mentoring emerging leaders required.
- Other info: Receive dry-cleaned chef whites and participate in exciting company events.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Three whole decades of acting different, we don’t conform, we celebrate difference. Appreciating personality over perfection – we call it be you, be wagamama. With over 165 restaurants, we are looking for a head chef to join us on our continuous journey to nourish us all from bowl to soul.
The role | As a head chef you’ll inspire your team to go the extra mile for our guests, keeping expectations and standards high. You will be continuously coaching and developing your team to be the best they can be whilst driving performance and delivering amazing results.
If you:
- Prioritise cultivating a positive and inclusive work culture through emotional intelligence, inspiration, and effective delegation.
- Your ability to influence and empower emerging leaders shines through as you provide brilliant training, coaching, and mentorship.
- Are dedicated to excellence in guest experience, ensuring every dish is prepared to exceptional standards whether through your own efforts or by equipping your team with the necessary skills and mindset.
- Are experienced in ensuring your kitchen’s food, health and safety standards are spotless, understanding the financial performance of a kitchen including gross profit, stock control and labour costs, spotting opportunities and proactively.
- Focus on building and nurturing your team, from recruitment to ongoing development, you are committed to fostering personal and professional growth among your team members.
- Care about creating an inclusive environment where your team feel respected and that they belong, allowing them to nourish and flourish in their role and career.
- Are a forward-thinking problem solver, able to think on your feet and make quick decisions.
We'd love to hear from you.
Wok’s in it for you |
- Bonus scheme – up to £8,000 a year bonus opportunity.
- Access up to 30% of your earnings before payday with Wagestream.
- Wagamama food allowance.
- Private medical insurance.
- Free food on shift – yes anything from our menu! Plus 50% outside of work to treat your friends and family.
- An industry leading family friendly policy (any expectant person or anyone adopting a child will receive 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay).
- Be the first to experience our brand-new menus.
- Dry-cleaned chef whites provided every shift.
- Wagamama parties throughout the year with VIP guests.
- Be known nationwide as a wok star – our national recognition programme.
- In addition to this, we offer all the usual such as pension scheme, holiday, training, cycle to work scheme, retail and leisure discounts, discounted gym memberships and long service awards.
Be you, be wagamama. Wagamama is proudly part of disability confident.
head chef (Hiring Immediately) employer: Wagamama
Contact Detail:
Wagamama Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land head chef (Hiring Immediately)
✨Tip Number 1
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've inspired and developed your team in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to cultivate a positive work culture, which is crucial for the head chef position.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with wagamama's values and their approach to inclusivity. During your discussions, highlight how you align with their philosophy of celebrating differences and creating an environment where everyone feels they belong.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with food safety and financial management in the kitchen. Be ready to share how you've maintained high standards while managing costs effectively, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Think about how you can contribute to the continuous improvement of the kitchen's performance. Bring ideas on how to enhance guest experiences and team development, as this proactive mindset will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace head chef (Hiring Immediately)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company Culture: Familiarise yourself with wagamama's ethos of celebrating individuality and inclusivity. Reflect this understanding in your application by highlighting how you embrace diversity and foster a positive work environment.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience in leading kitchen teams, maintaining high food safety standards, and managing kitchen finances. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to drive performance and deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Illustrate your coaching and mentoring abilities. Provide examples of how you've developed team members and created an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and empowered.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a tailored cover letter that connects your skills and experiences to the role of head chef at wagamama. Make sure to express your passion for food and commitment to excellence in guest experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wagamama
✨Show Your Passion for Culinary Excellence
Make sure to express your love for cooking and how it translates into your work. Share specific examples of dishes you've created or how you've elevated guest experiences through your culinary skills.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a head chef, you'll need to inspire and lead your team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully coached and developed team members in the past.
✨Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to share instances where you've had to think on your feet and make quick decisions in a high-pressure kitchen environment. This will showcase your ability to handle challenges effectively.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity and Team Culture
Wagamama values a positive and inclusive work culture. Discuss how you foster an environment where everyone feels respected and valued, and share any initiatives you've implemented to promote team cohesion.
