Chef de Partie — Lead Kitchen Team (Flexible Hours)

John Lewis Partnership; Cookham Rise; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

John Lewis Partnership is seeking an experienced chef to lead the kitchen team, ensuring exceptional food quality and presentation across shifts. You will train junior chefs, manage stock and orders, and uphold all hygiene, allergen, and safety standards in a fast-paced environment.

With a customer‑focused mindset, you will drive sales through menu accuracy and front‑of‑house collaboration, while representing the Partnership with professionalism and care for guests and fellow Partners.

Qualifications

• Proven chef qualifications (City & Guilds, BTEC HNC) and professional cookery training.
• Ability to instruct kitchen team and give clear feedback to front‑of‑house.
• Maintain high hygiene and safety standards in a fast-paced kitchen.
• Ability to foster mutual trust and respect within a team.
• Quick, confident decision-making to resolve kitchen issues.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver a food offer that aligns with current trends and customer demand, maintaining exceptional presentation standards.
• Train and develop junior chefs and kitchen porters, including specialised skills like fishmongery and butchery.
• Ensure all legislative requirements are met, including allergen management, food safety policies, and health & safety standards.
• Conduct daily compliance checks (fridge temperatures, cleaning schedules, PPE) and manage kitchen operations in the absence of senior chefs.
• Help achieve sales targets by managing food availability and upselling knowledge to front‑of‑house staff.
• Manage food orders with accuracy to minimise wastage and maximise profit margins.
• Represent the Partnership and provide a consistently outstanding guest and colleague experience.

Skills

Team leadership

Food safety

Decision making

Staff coaching

Allergen management

Education

City & Guilds diplomas in professional cookery

BTEC HNC in professional cookery

Job description

John Lewis Partnership is seeking an experienced chef to lead the kitchen team, ensuring exceptional food quality and presentation across shifts. You will train junior chefs, manage stock and orders, and uphold all hygiene, allergen, and safety standards in a fast-paced environment.

With a customer‑focused mindset, you will drive sales through menu accuracy and front‑of‑house collaboration, while representing the Partnership with professionalism and care for guests and fellow Partners.