At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen team to create amazing dishes and ensure top-notch service.
- Company: Zizzi is a vibrant restaurant chain known for its delicious pizza and pasta.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, discounts, and access to wellness support.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a strong community culture await you.
- Why this job: Join a fun, supportive team that values individuality and growth while making customers happy.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, leadership skills, and a desire to inspire others are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Head Chef upto £17 per hour plus Generous Bonus Scheme and Tronc
Our story:
Zizzi started in 1999 with a little wine, a big oven, and an even bigger dream to serve Italian, our way. You'll know us for our bubbly pizzas, fresh pasta, and good times. We don't do bland food, people or restaurants.
About the role:
As a Zizzi Head Chef, you are the driving force of our open kitchen. We're looking for someone who can bring energy, food passion, and fun. This isn't just about cooking great food. It's about setting the standard, creating a high-energy kitchen culture and inspiring your team to thrive. You'll partner with your General Manager to take full ownership of food quality and financial results.
What you'll do:
- Lead your kitchen team to deliver exceptional food quality - every plate, every service.
- Flawlessly manage our high-volume out-of-restaurant delivery channels alongside a busy dine-in restaurant.
- Recruit, train, and develop a motivated team, sharing your knowledge to help your chefs grow and succeed.
- Act as a role model for safety, ensuring kitchen cleanliness, compliance, and food safety are always spot on.
- Take full ownership of kitchen performance, mastering your food costs, labour, and service metrics to be better than yesterday.
- Work closely with your General Manager to drive commercial results and create a standout restaurant experience.
What's in it for you:
- Annual performance-linked bonus scheme up to £7000.
- Dedicated Head Chef roadshows, and clear development opportunities
- Access your earned wages whenever you need them with Stream.
- Free meals when you're on shift, and 50% off when you aren't.
- 24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Program.
- Discounts on travel, cinema, and top brands.
What we're looking for:
- High standards and a passion for Italian food.
- Proven leadership experience running a team, as a Head Chef or strong Sous Chef in a high-volume, multi-channel kitchen.
- Proven experience in managing costs, stock control, and labour budgets.
- The ability to stay calm, organised, and ready to lead from the front during our busiest times, including evenings, weekends and holiday periods.
- A people person who can motivate, coach, and develop their team.
- An uncompromising eye for consistency, kitchen cleanliness, and food safety standards.
Why you'll fit right in:
We want you leading the kitchen, as you are, from day 1. We love individuality - bold tattoos, bad singing, big laugh, brave choices. We're a Times Top 500 Employer because we celebrate everyone's differences. While we're on that, we're also the only Italian restaurant in the FT's UK's Best Employers 2026 Special Report (all about working conditions, salary, potential for development and company image).
Head Chef UK employer: Zizzi
Zizzi in Bath is an excellent employer that values its team members by offering competitive pay, a generous tronc system, and discounts on meals, all within a vibrant and fast-paced kitchen environment. The company fosters a supportive work culture where teamwork and pride in food presentation are celebrated, providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth in the hospitality industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef UK
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Zizzi's menu and values. Understanding their offerings and culture will help you demonstrate your passion for food and service during the interview, showing that you're a great fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your leadership experience in previous roles. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've inspired and developed kitchen teams, as this aligns perfectly with the responsibilities of the Head Chef position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you manage food costs and maintain high standards of food presentation. This is crucial for the role, so having concrete strategies or experiences to share will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your enthusiasm for collaboration. Zizzi values teamwork, so be ready to talk about how you've worked with front-of-house staff to enhance customer experiences, demonstrating your commitment to togetherness.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Head Chef position. Understand the responsibilities and expectations, especially around leadership, food quality, and team collaboration.
Tailor Your CV:Highlight your relevant experience in kitchen management, food preparation, and team leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to inspire a team and maintain high standards in food quality and safety.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for food and service. Mention how your values align with Zizzi's culture and how you can contribute to their mission of providing exceptional customer experiences.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your leadership style and how you have successfully developed and retained kitchen talent in previous roles. Provide examples of how you've fostered a positive team environment and driven results.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zizzi
✨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 how you can inspire your team to share that passion. This will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the restaurant's values.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading a kitchen team. Share specific examples of how you've recruited, trained, and motivated staff in the past. This will show that you can uphold Zizzi's standards and foster a positive team environment.
✨Understand Zizzi's Values
Familiarise yourself with Zizzi's core values: Growth, Individuality, Drive, Togetherness, and Fun. Be ready to explain how you embody these values in your work and how you would instil them in your team.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling challenges in the kitchen, such as managing food costs or ensuring health and safety standards. Prepare thoughtful responses that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain high standards under pressure.
