Chef / Pizza Chef

Zizzi; Colchester; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

50% off meals

Stream wage access

Discounts on travel and cinema

24/7 Virtual GP & EAP

Career development opportunities

Flexible hours

Job summary

Zizzi in Colchester is seeking an experienced Chef to lead a busy open kitchen, crafting Italian dishes with speed and precision. You’ll stretch dough, perfect al dente pasta, and maintain high standards under pressure while contributing to a lively dining atmosphere.

As part of a fast-paced team, you’ll ensure every plate meets quality and presentation standards, keep the kitchen spotless, and comply with top food-safety practices. Evening and weekend shifts are required.

Qualifications

• Some kitchen experience in a similar role or fast-paced kitchen.
• Love for Italian ingredients and a genuine desire to master the Zizzi menu.
• Reliable and available for evenings, weekends, and busy holiday periods.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook our menu to spec in a busy, high-energy open kitchen where our guests can see the magic happen.
• Take absolute pride in the quality of every dish that leaves your section, ensuring it turns heads every time.
• Master our menu and specs inside and out so service remains fast and consistent during busy rushes.
• Maintain a spotless kitchen and follow all food safety procedures to the highest standard.
• Work closely with the rest of your team to keep the kitchen running smoothly and the energy high.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Fast-paced environment

Italian ingredients

Team player

Evenings/weekends availability

Job description

Our story:

You'll know us for good times, bubbly pizza, and fresh pasta. We don’t do bland food, people or restaurants. Zizzi started in 1999 with a little wine, a big oven, and the dream of doing Italian food, our way.

About the role:

As an experienced Chef, you are the heart of our open kitchen. From stretching dough to perfecting al dente pasta, you make the magic happen. We're looking for a team player who thrives under pressure and keeps standards high. This isn't just Back of House - it's a high-energy, hands-on role where your skill and speed ensure every plate is perfect.

What you’ll do:

• Prepare and cook our menu to spec in a busy, high-energy open kitchen where our guests can see the magic happen.
• Take absolute pride in the quality of every dish that leaves your section, ensuring it turns heads every time.
• Master our menu and specs inside and out so service remains fast and consistent during busy rushes.
• Maintain a spotless kitchen and follow all food safety procedures to the highest standard.
• Work closely with the rest of your team to keep the kitchen running smoothly and the energy high.

What’s in it for you:

• Free meals when you're on shift, and 50% off when you aren't.
• Access your earned wages whenever you need them with Stream.
• Discounts on travel, cinema, and top brands.
• 24/7 Virtual GP and Employee Assistance Program.
• Career development opportunities. We’ll help you grow to Assistant Head Chef, then even to Head Chef.
• Flexible hours and the guaranteed stability of aminimum-hour contract.

What we're looking for:

• Some kitchen experience in a similar role or fast-paced kitchen.
• A love for Italian ingredients and a genuine desire to master the Zizzi menu.
• Positive energy for a busy, high-energy environment.
• Reliable and available for evenings, weekends, and busy holiday periods.

Why you’ll fit right in:

We want you in 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 (for working conditions, salary, potential for development and company image).