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- Tasks: Lead and inspire your kitchen team to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
- Company: Join wagamama, a vibrant restaurant group celebrating individuality and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy bonuses, flexible pay access, free meals, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that values personal growth and creativity in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management, food safety, and team development is essential.
- 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 addressing them.
- Focus on building and nurturing your team, from recruitment to ongoing development, and 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 Restaurant - Immediate Start employer: Wagamama
Contact Detail:
Wagamama Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef Restaurant - Immediate Start
✨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 menu and values before your interview. Understanding their approach to food and guest experience will allow you to align your answers with their philosophy, showing that you're a great fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your knowledge of food safety and financial management in the kitchen. Highlight any relevant experiences where you've successfully managed stock control or improved kitchen efficiency, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasise your commitment to inclusivity and team development. Share examples of how you've created an environment where team members feel valued and empowered, as this aligns perfectly with wagamama's focus on nurturing talent and fostering growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef Restaurant - Immediate Start
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 showcasing how you prioritise a positive work culture and emotional intelligence.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience in leading kitchen teams, maintaining high food safety standards, and managing financial performance. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to inspire and develop your team.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Describe your approach to coaching and mentoring emerging leaders. Provide examples of how you've successfully influenced and empowered your team members in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your CV and cover letter to align with the job description. Mention your problem-solving skills and ability to make quick decisions, as these are crucial for the head chef role at wagamama.
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 leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've inspired your team to achieve high standards in food preparation and guest experience.
✨Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Highlight your ability to create an inclusive work culture. Discuss how you’ve used emotional intelligence to connect with your team, resolve conflicts, and foster a supportive environment where everyone feels valued.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Be ready to talk about your experience with kitchen financials, including gross profit, stock control, and labour costs. Prepare examples of how you've identified opportunities for cost savings or improved efficiency in previous roles.
✨Emphasise Team Development
Discuss your approach to mentoring and developing emerging leaders within your team. Share specific strategies you've used to coach staff and help them grow both personally and professionally.
