Head Chef

PizzaExpress EDI; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known restaurant chain is seeking a committed Multiple Site Head Chef to manage kitchens across various locations in Edinburgh. The role involves stock control, ensuring compliance with hygiene and safety standards, and developing staff skills. Ideal candidates will have significant management experience and a passion for delivering first-class dining experiences. The position offers competitive salary and benefits including free meals while on duty and a generous leave policy.

Benefits

Tronc system for tips

NEST pension

Free meals while on duty

Health & wellbeing cash plan

Employee Assistance Programme

28 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Significant proven management experience in a kitchen environment including staff training and development.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering excellent food preparation services.
• Experience with procurement of stock through specified suppliers as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of kitchens across multiple sites including stock control and food preparation.
• Ensure compliance with hygiene, health and safety, and allergen protocols.
• Collaborate with restaurant teams to deliver exceptional dishes.

Skills

Strong communicator

Financial awareness

Leadership skills

Performance management

Knowledge of health and safety

Education

Food hygiene certificate

Job description

Overview

We are a family‑run UK business operating food and beverage outlets at airports, creating exceptional experiences for all our customers. We are seeking a committed and enthusiastic Multiple Site Head Chef to join our team.

As Multiple Site Head Chef, you will be a reliable, hardworking, and enthusiastic team player, passionate about food and beverages and dedicated to delivering an exceptional dining experience. You’ll play an essential role in the senior management team, overseeing the day‑to‑day performance of multiple kitchens while maintaining the highest standards of quality, hygiene, and efficiency.

The Role

As part of the senior management team, you’ll be responsible for managing all aspects of the kitchens across multiple sites, including stock control, food preparation, and ensuring compliance with hygiene, health and safety, and allergen protocols. You’ll work collaboratively with the restaurant teams to deliver exceptional dishes for every guest and ensure the kitchens operate efficiently and profitably.

Main Duties:

• Full management and control of multiple kitchens.
• Ensure the department meets revenue and profit targets.
• Enforce company policies relating to health and safety, food hygiene, and food allergens.
• Develop kitchen staff skills across multiple sites to deliver excellent quality food in a timely fashion.
• Ensure confidentiality and act in accordance with data protection requirements when handling personal data.

Requirements

We are looking for an experienced, self‑motivated, and enthusiastic individual who is flexible with shift patterns and passionate about delivering a first‑class dining experience through the performance of their team across multiple sites.

Preferred Criteria:

Qualifications:

• Food hygiene certificate (desirable but not essential).

Relevant Experience:

• Significant proven management experience in a kitchen environment, including staff training and development.
• Familiarity with airport‑based hospitality is a plus but not essential.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering excellent food preparation services.
• Experience in delivering agreed menus to brand standards.
• Experience with procurement of stock through specified suppliers as needed.
• Proventrack recordof implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong communicator with a clear and supportive leadership style.
• Financially aware, with sound budget controls and effective stock management.
• Strong leadership skills, capable of motivating teams in busy kitchen environments.
• Performance management skills to maximise individual potential through coaching.
• In‑depth knowledge of health and safety requirements in a kitchen, including HACCP, COSHH, food allergens, equipment maintenance, and safety practices.

Personal Qualities:

• Resilient and able to deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.
• Results‑oriented and motivated by achieving stretching objectives.
• Committed brand ambassador, driven by service excellence.

Salary & Benefits:

• Tronc (tips and gratuities distribution system) via an elected troncmaster.
• NEST pension.
• Free meals while on duty at the site, from the "Staff Duty Meal" options.
• Health & wellbeing cash plan, also offering discounts and perks across hundreds of retailers.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme for health and well‑being support from day one.
• 28 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), increasing by 1 day a year up to a maximum of 32 days.

Please note:

All successful candidates will be required to:

• Provide proof of their right to work in the UK.
• Hold an Airport Security ID Pass, which we will assist with. The application process requires the production of a valid passport, a criminal record check, and five years of personal and employment references.

If you have the skill and enthusiasm we’re looking for and would like to be part of our team, please apply today!

Equal Opportunities

At ARE Ltd, we recognise the value of diversity and inclusivity in fostering a truly remarkable experience for all our customers. Our commitment extends beyond retail to building a workforce that reflects the wide array of perspectives and experiences found across the UK. We believe that embracing diversity in our teams enables us to provide exceptional service and innovation.

We are dedicated to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work, with a strong commitment to promoting equity in both physical and mental health for everyone. We encourage applications from individuals of disadvantaged socio‑economic backgrounds, disabled persons, LGBTQ+ community members, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, and those with lived experiences of discrimination.

Accessibility and Adjustments

ARE Ltd is committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process. We strive to be as accommodating as possible to ensure all candidates can participate fully. If you have specific requirements or need adjustments at any stage of the application or interview process, please do not hesitate to get in touch. In your application, feel free to indicate your preferred pronouns (for example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc.) to help us better address and respect your identity throughout the process.

Compensation: Competitive salary