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- Tasks: Lead a team of chefs to create amazing dishes and ensure top-notch food safety.
- Company: Wahaca is the UK's leading Mexican restaurant, committed to sustainability and local sourcing.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, bonuses, and even a trip to Mexico for inspiration!
- Why this job: Join a fun, supportive team that values your growth and passion for fresh food.
- Qualifications: Experience in a kitchen leadership role and a passion for cooking with fresh ingredients.
- Other info: Be part of a family-oriented culture that prioritises integrity, positivity, and fun.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Wahaca is the leading Mexican restaurant in the UK and is deeply values driven by its founders. We care about our planet and source our ingredients locally, championing great British produce. Our founders Mark Selby and Thomasina Miers (Masterchef winner) truly believe it's the people that make a restaurant thrive and want to make every employee's experience a fun and memorable one.
About the role:
- Work shoulder to shoulder with your General Manager to deliver the highest food safety standards.
- Manage a team of chefs with the support of a Sous Chef.
- Inspire and lead your chefs from the front, always ready to help on the section, ensuring our guests are served up a WOW worthy experience through their food.
- Champion a positive environment and deeply care about your team, driving their progression.
- Passion for fresh food; we cook our dishes from scratch using fresh and seasonal ingredients and you will ensure our chefs are fully trained to spec and deliver the highest standards.
- Controlling stock and ordering, comfortable using different systems in your day-to-day duties.
What you will get:
- Visit and experience Mexico to feed your inspiration!
- Free meal on shift PLUS 70% off food to share with 3 friends at all Wahaca and DF Tacos.
- Celebrate your probation with £100 to spend at Wahaca with your favourites.
- Stay with us for the long haul and enjoy 4 weeks paid time off work after 5 years.
- Join the fiesta at our annual summer party plus regular socials with your team.
- Quarterly bonus scheme PLUS up to £1,000 through friend referrals.
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption pay.
- Food Safety Level 3 and Mental Health training provided.
- Development opportunities within our brands plus your own personal development plan.
- Access to financial support and discounts through Wagestream and 50% OFF gyms.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- And so much more...
At Wahaca, we are a family that live by our set of values: pride, positivity, humble, integrity, and fun. We believe that good food shouldn't cost the earth and aim to deliver our mission as sustainably as possible. That's why our kitchen team are fundamental in achieving this and feel proud to do so.
Please check our Wahaca Recruitment and Staff Privacy Policy. By applying for a job with us, you acknowledge and accept this policy.
Head Chef employer: Wahaca
Contact Detail:
Wahaca Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Wahaca's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to sustainability and local sourcing will help you align your passion for fresh food with their ethos, making you a more appealing candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've inspired and developed your team in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to create a positive environment will resonate well with Wahaca's focus on team culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the latest trends in Mexican cuisine and be ready to discuss how you can bring innovative ideas to the menu. This demonstrates your passion for the role and your commitment to delivering a WOW experience for guests.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former Wahaca employees if possible. Gaining insights into their experiences can provide you with valuable information to tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand Wahaca's Values: Familiarise yourself with Wahaca's core values: pride, positivity, humility, integrity, and fun. Reflect these values in your application to show that you align with the company's culture.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience in managing kitchen teams and ensuring food safety standards. Provide specific examples of how you've inspired and led chefs in previous roles.
Show Passion for Fresh Food: Demonstrate your passion for cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Mention any relevant training or experiences that showcase your commitment to high-quality food preparation.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Head Chef role at Wahaca. Use keywords from the job description to ensure your application stands out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wahaca
✨Show Your Passion for Fresh Ingredients
Wahaca values fresh, seasonal produce, so be prepared to discuss your experience with sourcing and cooking with local ingredients. Share specific examples of how you've used fresh produce in your previous roles to create memorable dishes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to inspire and lead your team. Be ready to talk about your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team, resolved conflicts, or trained new chefs.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Standards
Food safety is crucial in any kitchen. Familiarise yourself with the highest food safety standards and be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen. Mention any relevant certifications, like Food Safety Level 3, that you hold.
✨Align with Wahaca's Values
Wahaca prides itself on its values of pride, positivity, humility, integrity, and fun. Research these values and think about how they resonate with your own work ethic. Be ready to share how you embody these values in your professional life.
