Head Chef

Wahaca; Brighton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

70% off food and 50% off drinks

£100 probation celebration

Referral bonus up to £1,000

Quarterly bonus scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Early access to wages

Free meal on shift

Cycle to work

Mental Health support

Job summary

Wahaca, a leading Mexican restaurant group in the UK, is seeking a Head Chef to set the tone in the kitchen and lead a culture of pride and accountability. You will drive brand standards, mentor a diverse kitchen team and deliver a WOW-worthy hospitality experience for every guest.

You’ll champion fresh, seasonal dishes made from scratch, manage stock and ordering, and partner with the General Manager to maintain top food safety standards while nurturing development within the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a strong kitchen team including Sous Chef, section chefs, prep chefs and kitchen assistants
• Inspire and guide your team by leading from the front, always ready to step in and support, ensuring all guests are served up a taste of Mexican sunshine
• Champion a positive environment and deeply care about your team, supporting their growth and progression
• A passion for fresh food – our dishes are made from scratch using seasonal ingredients, and you'll ensure our chefs are fully trained to follow recipes and maintain the highest standards
• Take ownership for stock control and ordering and confidently manage systems that support daily operations
• Work alongside your General Manager to maintain the highest food safety standards

Job description

Our story:

Wahaca is a leading Mexican restaurant in the UK, founded by Thomasina Miers (MasterChef winner) and Mark Selby. Inspired by their time in Mexico, their mission is to show the UK how vibrant and delicious Mexican food is, championing great British produce and sourcing ingredients locally.

Rooted in our founders' values, we serve a taste of Mexican sunshine through showing pride, staying humble, choosing integrity, having fun, and thinking positively. With an upbeat atmosphere and chef‑made dishes, we believe every meal should be an adventure and every guest a friend.

As Head Chef, you bring our food philosophy to life on every plate, setting the tone in the kitchen and building a culture of pride and accountability. We're looking for a hospitality leader who will play a pivotal role in driving our brand standards forward and inspiring their team to deliver a WOW‑worthy experience for every guest.

How you'll drive success:

• Work alongside your General Manager to maintain the highest food safety standards
• Lead, manage and develop a strong kitchen team including Sous Chef, section chefs, prep chefs and kitchen assistants
• Inspire and guide your team by leading from the front, always ready to step in and support, ensuring all guests are served up a taste of Mexican sunshine
• Champion a positive environment and deeply care about your team, supporting their growth and progression
• A passion for fresh food – our dishes are made from scratch using seasonal ingredients, and you'll ensure our chefs are fully trained to follow recipes and maintain the highest standards
• Take ownership for stock control and ordering and confidently manage systems that support daily operations

People do their best work when they feel looked after inside and outside of work – because when our teams thrive, so do our guests. Creating a supportive, inclusive and energising environment is just as important to us as delivering great food and service. That's why we offer a range of great benefits:

FINANCIAL:

• 70% off food and 50% off drinks when dining at Wahaca with up to 3 friends
• £100 to celebrate your probation in Wahaca
• Up to £1,000 through friend referrals
• Quarterly bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption pay
• Early access to wages, financial support and discounts through Stream

HEALTH AND WELLBEING:

• Free, nutritious meal every time you work, freshly made by our talented chefs
• Cycle to work scheme
• Support from our trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Time off for when needed; like your child's first day at school
• Sabbatical – 4 weeks paid off work – every 5 years

DEVELOPMENT:

• Training courses: Mental Health First Aid, Food Safety LV 3.
• Inspirational trips with our co‑founders
• Own development plan – we are committed to growing our people from within

SOCIAL:

• Unwind and turn up the fun at one of our many events across the year such as WOW Fest!
• Our very own Masterchef and Cocktail competitions
• The fun is in your hands with allocated funds and time to drive the fun with your team

If you're inspired by what you've read and have a passion for delivering exceptional hospitality, we'd be thrilled to have you join our team!

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