Chef

Vapiano Paddington; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A popular Italian restaurant in Westminster is seeking an experienced chef to join their kitchen team. You will play a crucial role in delivering exceptional food service, working closely with both front-of-house staff and other chefs. The ideal candidate possesses previous experience in high-volume operations and a genuine passion for hospitality. Enjoy benefits like 50% food discount, free meals while on duty, and opportunities for career advancement in a growing company.

Benefits

50% off food for 4 once a month

Free meals while working

Company pension scheme

28 days holiday per year

Share of tips

Annual team party

Incentives and competitions

Skills development opportunities

Career progression

Qualifications

• Previous chef experience in a high-volume branded pizza, pasta or Italian operation.
• Experience in both larger branded operations and smaller growing businesses.
• Desire to work collaboratively as a team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare dishes that meet speed, quality, and taste standards.
• Maintain food safety and cleanliness in the kitchen.
• Work efficiently to manage your section in the kitchen.

Skills

Experience in high-volume kitchen

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Ability to work under pressure

Passion for hospitality

Job description

The Company

Vapiano is a laid-back Italian restaurant, making the ultimate handmade fresh pasta, pizza and insalata in over 130 locations around the world and 5 here in the UK. Our restaurants are like nowhere else; spacious, full of natural light with plenty of seats – think sharing tables and lounge seating. You can sit where you like and stay as long as you want. The laid-back vibes and great music make us one of the places to go and eat. Our service is relaxed, inviting and casual, just like our locations, with orders usually taken by via QR codes at the table, and table service from the team following on from there. We are a growing hospitality company with multiple locations planned to open each year ahead.

The Role

If you have a few years of experience of working in a restaurant kitchen you will (hopefully) already understand the role well, however for us, the key responsibilities you will have are:

• Experience - ensuring that the Vapiano food service is always on point. Food delivered to customers at the correct speed and to spec - We really mean this, it isn't just lip service; check out our reviews!
• Safety - working in line with our food, health and safety and fire safety policies and practices to keep our kitchens above board.
• People - Open kitchens mean we work as one team. Working closely with both front-of-house teams, other chefs and KPs to create a seamless dining experience for our guests, together without ego.

What this role is

You will be a key player in our kitchen, directly contributing to our commitment to food service excellence. Under the guidance of the Kitchen Manager, you will be responsible for preparing dishes that meet our high standards of speed, quality and taste. Your role involves following recipes to spec, maintaining food safety and cleanliness, and working efficiently to manage your section, whether it's the pasta station or another area. Your ability to work well under pressure and as part of a team will ensure that our kitchen operations run smoothly and our guests receive exceptional dining experiences.

You will likely have

• Real previous chef experience in a high-volume branded pizza, pasta or Italian operation.
• Worked in larger branded operations, but spent some time in a smaller growing business too.
• Desire to be part of a team and work together for the greater good.
• A calm, fun and caring character.
• Excellent attention to detail and a real ability to get the right things done at the right time.
• A personal love of the art of hospitality; you actually delight in food service and making people happy.

The package

• 50% off food at any Vapiano restaurant for up to 4 people once a month
• Free meals while working
• Company pension scheme
• 28 days holiday per year
• A share of tips
• Annual team party and plenty of social events
• Regular incentives and competitions
• Fun skills development with access to our gamified learning platform
• Actual career progression opportunities (we are an established restaurant business with regular openings planned each year.)