Bengal Cuisine Chef

India Fine Food Ltd t/a Village Tandoori; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional growth opportunities

Supportive work environment

Competitive salary

Job summary

India Fine Food Ltd ta Village Tandoori in North London is seeking a highly skilled Bengal Cuisine Chef with expertise in authentic Bangladeshi dishes from the Chattogram and Sylhet regions to lead our kitchen.

You will design menus, supervise cooking and staff, manage suppliers, and ensure food safety, quality, and guest satisfaction. A minimum 3 years as head chef or senior chef de partie and fluency in Bengali are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years hands-on experience as a head chef or senior chef de partie with deep Bangladeshi cuisine knowledge from Chattogram and Sylhet.
• Fluency in Bengali is essential for daily kitchen communication and staff coordination.
• Recognised Level 1 Chef Qualification or Bengal Cuisine Qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Menu planning and development focused on Chattogram and Sylhet regional specialties.
• Lead kitchen operations, cooking supervision, and staff scheduling.
• Oversee supplier management and stock control for authenticity and freshness.
• Ensure hygiene, safety compliance, and consistent quality standards.
• Foster team training, mentorship, and professional growth.

Skills

Bengali fluency

Head chef experience

Menu development

Team leadership

Education

Recognised Level 1 Chef Qualification or Bengal Cuisine Qualification

Job description

India Fine Food Ltd ta Village Tandoori is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Bengal Cuisine Chef with expertise in developing and preparing authentic Bangladeshi dishes from the Chattogram (Chittagong) and Sylhet regions. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate chef to join our dynamic team and contribute to the delivery of exceptional dishes at our renowned restaurant in North London.

Key Responsibilities:

• Menu Planning & Development: Design and plan innovative, authentic Bangladeshi menus, focusing on regional specialties from Chattogram and Sylhet, such as Kala Bhuna, Mezbani Beef, Shatkora Gosht, Kacchi Biriyani, and Morog Pilau, ensuring that each dish reflects the essence of these regions while appealing to a diverse clientele.
• Food Preparation: Lead the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of high-quality dishes, maintaining traditional flavors and presentation standards.
• Kitchen Operations Management: Oversee and supervise the daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth service and effective kitchen workflows. Manage kitchen staff schedules, monitor kitchen performance, and address any issues promptly.
• Team Leadership & Training: Inspire and lead the kitchen team, providing guidance, training, and support. Encourage continuous development of culinary skills and ensure all team members adhere to high standards of food preparation and presentation.
• Supplier & Stock Management: Order supplies from Bangladeshi wholesalers and inspect the quality of produce to ensure authenticity and freshness. Monitor inventory levels, track stock rotation, and minimize waste.
• Health & Safety Compliance: Ensure adherence to hygiene, health, and safety regulations, including food safety standards and safe handling procedures. Conduct regular inspections of kitchen equipment and maintain cleanliness standards.
• Cost Control & Budgeting: Help manage kitchen budgets by controlling food costs and waste. Work closely with restaurant management to ensure profitability while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Quality Control: Ensure that all dishes meet our restaurant’s high standards of quality, taste, and presentation. Continuously assess and improve food quality, based on customer feedback and kitchen reviews.
• Customer Satisfaction: Address any special dietary needs or requests and ensure that guests are satisfied with the quality of their meals. Assist in creating an inviting dining atmosphere and positive guest experience.
• Industry Trends & Networking: Stay up-to-date with developments in regional Bengali cuisine and network within the Chittagonian and Sylheti food communities in the UK and Bangladesh to keep our offerings relevant and dynamic.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of hands‑on experience as a head chef or senior chef de partie, with a deep understanding of Bangladeshi cuisine, particularly from the Chattogram and Sylhet regions.
• Specialization: Expertise in cooking traditional Bangladeshi dishes, such as Kala Bhuna, Mezbani Beef, Shatkora Gosht, Kacchi Biriyani, Morog Pilau, and other regional specialties.
• Leadership Skills: Proven experience leading a kitchen team, with strong management, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to motivate and inspire kitchen staff to maintain high standards.
• Communication Skills: Fluency in Bengali is essential, with a preference for fluency in the Chittagonian dialect. Sylhetti dialect may be considered depending on candidate.
• Recognised Level 1 Chef Qualification or Bengal Cuisine Qualification preferred.
• Cost Management: Experience in managing kitchen budgets, controlling food costs, and minimizing waste while maintaining top‑notch quality.
• Hygiene & Safety: In‑depth knowledge of health and safety regulations, food safety, and hygiene practices in a professional kitchen.
• Creativity & Innovation: Ability to create innovative and creative menus while staying true to the authenticity of the dishes.
• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail when preparing, plating, and serving dishes to ensure a consistently high‑quality dining experience.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary.
• Full‑time, permanent position (37.5 hours per week).
• A vibrant, supportive work environment with opportunities to showcase your culinary skills.
• The chance to be part of a respected company that values quality, authenticity, and customer satisfaction.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development within the company.