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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and ensure every dish meets our high standards.
- Company: Join wagamama, a brand that celebrates diversity and innovation in the culinary world.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to £8,000 bonus, private medical insurance, and generous food allowances.
- Why this job: Inspire your team while creating delicious dishes in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Experienced head chef with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Access to wellness support, training programmes, and internal progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
As a head chef at wagamama, you'll lead your kitchen team in the wagamama way, live and breathe our people promise, values and embody core leadership behaviours. You’ll be responsible for ensuring that every dish served by the kitchen team meets our high standards. You’ll look after the development and growth of your team through inspiring leadership, ensuring they are engaged, motivated, and high performing.
Our perks and quirks:
- Bonus scheme: up to £8,000 a year bonus opportunity
- Private medical insurance and pension scheme
- Dedicated 6-week training programme
- Dry-cleaned chef whites provided every shift
- £14 - £25 of free food allowance on every shift
- 50% discount at wagamama and 30% off all other trg brands with family and friends
- Internal progression opportunities: fully funded apprenticeship programmes to support your growth
- 28 days holiday
- Kintsugi wellness: access to councillors, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym and leisure
- Family friendly policy: any expectant person or anyone adopting a child will receive 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay
- Financial wellbeing support: access to loans repaid through your salary for those ‘strapped for cash’ moments in life
What we look for:
- An experienced head chef that is able to lead a kitchen team through positive behaviour and actions to drive performance in a fast paced and complex environment
- A strong communicator that has real conversations with consideration and care, ensuring your team feel heard and supported
- Experienced in ensuring your kitchen’s food, health and safety standards are spotless
- Experienced in understanding the financial performance of a kitchen including gross profit and stock control
- Comfortable managing the labour cost of your team, reacting to changing demands where necessary
- Passionate about creating an inclusive environment where your team feel respected and that they belong
- An individual who leads to inspire and engage their team to nourish and flourish in their role and career
The wagamama way:
Kaizen, meaning ‘good change’, is the philosophy that sits at the core of who we are. It shapes every dish we create and pushes us to find better ways in all we do. Our food, how we think, how we work, it has to be fresh. Committed to championing change in both our communities and the impact on the planet. Three whole decades of acting different, we don’t conform, we celebrate difference. Appreciating personality over perfection. Welcoming everyone and their unique story to our benches. We promise to have your back. Working together to build close bonds of trust and support. Creating safe spaces where we can have real conversations with open hearts and open minds. All we ask is for you to dish up what makes you different. Be you, be wagamama.
head chef in Leeds employer: Wagamama
Contact Detail:
Wagamama Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land head chef in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, dive into wagamama's values and the 'wagamama way'. Show us how you embody those principles in your leadership style and kitchen management.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! As a head chef, you'll need to connect with your team. Think about examples where you've had real conversations that made a difference, and be ready to share them with us.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for food safety and financial performance! Be prepared to discuss how you've maintained high standards in the kitchen while managing costs effectively. We love candidates who can balance creativity with practicality.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to highlight your leadership style! We want to hear how you inspire and engage your team. Share stories of how you've created an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong. Remember, be you, be wagamama!
We think you need these skills to ace head chef in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking and food shine through! Share your experiences and what inspires you in the kitchen. We want to see that you live and breathe the culinary world.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a head chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership style in your application. Talk about how you've motivated and inspired your team in the past, and how you plan to do the same at wagamama.
Be Authentic: We value individuality, so don’t be afraid to be yourself in your application. Share your unique story and what makes you different. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can bring their personality to our kitchen!
Apply Through Our Website: Make it easy for us to find your application by applying directly through our website. It helps us keep track of all the amazing candidates like you, and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wagamama
✨Know the Wagamama Way
Before your interview, dive deep into Wagamama's values and philosophy. Understand the concept of 'kaizen' and how it influences their approach to food and teamwork. Being able to discuss how you embody these principles will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a head chef, your leadership skills are crucial. Prepare examples of how you've inspired and developed your team in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you’ve motivated your team or improved performance through positive actions. This will demonstrate your ability to lead in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Financials
Brush up on your knowledge of kitchen financials, including gross profit and stock control. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed labour costs and adapted to changing demands in the past. Showing that you understand the business side of running a kitchen will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Inclusivity and Communication
Wagamama values an inclusive environment, so be ready to talk about how you create a space where everyone feels respected and heard. Share examples of how you've fostered open communication within your team, ensuring that all voices are valued. This will highlight your alignment with their core values.
