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- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring food quality and guest satisfaction.
- Company: Join a vibrant restaurant chain known for authentic Japanese cuisine and innovative dining experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, paid breaks, and discounts on gym memberships and cinema tickets.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team, develop your skills, and contribute to sustainability initiatives.
- Qualifications: A love for food, leadership skills, and a positive attitude are essential.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional qualifications up to degree level while you work.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 31000 £ per year.
We burst onto the restaurant scene in 1997, when we shook up London and showed the UK a new way of eating. Part of this was the 'kaiten' conveyor belt and colour-coded dishes which made our name. We're all about fresh, flavoursome, authentic Japanese food. Sushi is what we're famous for, but we also have a mouth-watering range of hot street food available - from traditional classics to innovative fusion dishes. All packed with rich, aromatic flavours and umami. Fast forward to today and we have over 70 restaurants all over the globe, more than 300 kiosks in the UK, with grocery products and pre-pack sushi in most major UK supermarkets.
We are looking for dynamic individuals with a love and passion for food to join us on our exciting journey. Our people are at the heart of what we do:
- You will be a role model, have an appetite for success and a real thirst for delivering exceptional results.
- You will be ambitious and hungry to learn.
- You will always strive to do your best.
- You will be enthusiastic and have a positive disposition.
- You will embrace challenges head on, with a willing can-do attitude.
- You will want to be part of our success story.
What you will be doing:
The Head Chef is responsible for the entire operation of their YO! Kitchen and ultimately accountable for the safety of our teams & guests. Leading and inspiring the kitchen team you are obsessive about food quality, adherence to spec and can prepare each and every YO! dish brilliantly. Happy teams and Happy guests is the mantra by which you live and instil this modus operandi across the team. You are passionate about an incredible guest experience, developing the team to Super Squad status and driving the profitability of your restaurant through great controls of food cost lines. Comfortable and natural in all sections of the kitchen, you cut fish, cook rice, roll sushi, and prepare our kitchens every day. You are also an inspirational presence in your restaurant, running high energy shifts from the kitchen and ensuring each and every day part delivers an outstanding experience for our guests and team.
We're proud to offer:
- Fantastic working hours
- Free YO! food - What’s your favourite YO! dish? Every time you work you can power your shift with a selection of your choice from our fantastic menu
- Grow with YO! - we will pay for you to achieve professional qualifications (up to Degree level) whilst you work
- Brilliant support services designed to enhance your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including private medical health plan and 24/7 Employee Assistance Line
- Discounted gym membership, cinema tickets, dining out and retail offers are all available by accessing our reward platform
- 50% off your food every time you dine with us for you and 3 friends
- Paid breaks - everyone working within YO! gets paid for every break they take!
- Award-winning sustainability initiatives - We’re committed to delivering progress against 9 UN sustainability goals, just some of the actions we’ve already taken include: 100% of all Salmon sourced from certified sustainable
Head Chef (Kingston upon Thames) employer: YO! RESTAURANT
Contact Detail:
YO! RESTAURANT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef (Kingston upon Thames)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the brand's menu and culinary style. Understanding their unique offerings, especially their sushi and hot street food, will help you demonstrate your passion for their cuisine during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen teams in the past. Highlighting your ability to inspire and motivate others will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your approach to food quality and safety. Since the role is accountable for the safety of both teams and guests, demonstrating your commitment to high standards will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to talk about your experience with cost control and profitability in a kitchen setting. Sharing specific strategies you've implemented to manage food costs effectively will show that you can drive the restaurant's success.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef (Kingston upon Thames)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in kitchen management, food quality control, and team leadership. Emphasise any previous roles where you have successfully led a kitchen team or improved food service quality.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for Japanese cuisine and your commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Share specific examples of how you've inspired teams and managed kitchen operations effectively.
Showcase Your Culinary Skills: If possible, include a portfolio or examples of your culinary creations. This could be photos of dishes you've prepared or menus you've designed, demonstrating your creativity and expertise in the kitchen.
Highlight Your Leadership Qualities: Discuss your approach to team management and how you foster a positive working environment. Mention any training or development initiatives you've implemented to elevate your team's performance.
How to prepare for a job interview at YO! RESTAURANT
✨Show Your Passion for Food
As a Head Chef, your love for food should shine through. Be prepared to discuss your favourite dishes, cooking techniques, and what inspires you in the kitchen. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
✨Highlight Leadership Skills
Since you'll be leading a team, it's crucial to showcase your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've inspired and developed your team in previous roles, and how you plan to create a positive kitchen environment.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Japanese Cuisine
Familiarise yourself with the restaurant's menu and the principles of Japanese cuisine. Discuss your experience with sushi preparation and other traditional dishes, as well as any innovative ideas you might bring to the table.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you'd handle specific kitchen challenges, such as managing food costs or ensuring food safety. Think through your responses in advance, focusing on your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain high standards under pressure.
