Assistant Head Chef: Lead Fast-Paced Italian Kitchen

Zizzi; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Earned wage access

Free meals on shift

Wellbeing support & Employee Asssist 1

Discounts on travel and cinema

Job summary

Zizzi in Cambridge is seeking an Assistant Head Chef to lead shifts, run the pass and inspire the team in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen. Working with the Head Chef, you will balance busy dining periods with delivery channel orders and help maintain our Italian-standard quality.

This hands-on leadership role offers pathways to Head Chef, flexible hours with a minimum-hour contract, and perks such as free meals, earned wage access, and wellbeing support.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Sous Chef, Junior Sous, or Senior Chef in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Love of Italian food, consistency, and high standards.
• Confident leader who can run a shift and motivate a team.
• Calm, organised and able to guide the team during busy times including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, including stock management, wastage and labour control.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen and run the pass in the Head Chef's absence, keeping service flawless, fast, and on point.
• Deliver exceptional food quality and picture-perfect consistency across dine-in and out-of-restaurant delivery orders.
• Support the management team by hitting kitchen performance metrics with stock, labour, managing prep, and cost control.
• Coach and develop junior chefs, sharing your skills to build confidence, talent, and team spirit.
• Act as a role model for safety, ensuring kitchen cleanliness, compliance, and food safety are always spot on.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Kitchen operations

Stock management

Wastage control

Labour control

Mentoring juniors

Safety compliance

Job description

Zizzi in Cambridge is seeking an Assistant Head Chef to lead shifts, run the pass and inspire the team in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen. Working with the Head Chef, you will balance busy dining periods with delivery channel orders and help maintain our Italian-standard quality.

This hands-on leadership role offers pathways to Head Chef, flexible hours with a minimum-hour contract, and perks such as free meals, earned wage access, and wellbeing support.