head chef

wagamama ltd; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to £8,000 annual bonus

Private medical insurance

50% off Wagamama outside of work

Free meals on shift

Early access to earned pay (Wagestream

Parental leave: 26 weeks full pay + 13

First access to new menus

Chef whites provided

Job summary

wagamama in Westminster seeks a head chef for a full-time role. You’ll run the kitchen, lead a team, smash service and ensure every bowl is something to be proud of.

This role rewards hands-on leadership, a Kaizen mindset, and pride in fresh food. You’ll mentor staff, stay calm under pressure, and contribute to a lively, connected kitchen where guests can taste the energy.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality in every bowl.
• Ability to coach and develop junior chefs.
• Proactive in improving processes and standards.
• Passion for fresh, high-energy cooking.

Responsibilities

• Run the kitchen as if it were your own and lead the team.
• Maintain high quality in every dish, every service.
• Coach team to grow in confidence and skill.
• Stay calm under pressure and move quickly during service.
• Create a kitchen culture that attracts talented staff and satisfies guests.
• Identify small improvements and implement them Kaizen-style.

Skills

Team leadership

Quality control

Kaizen mindset

Job description

head chef | full time

at wagamama, food is life. our kitchens are all about fresh food, fast-paced, and full of real people making real food. no microwaves, no shortcuts, just big energy and bigger flavours. as head chef, you’ll run the kitchen like it’s your own. lead the team, smash service, and make sure every bowl is something to be proud of

what you’ll be doing

• creating a place where your team feels safe, seen, and proud to show up
• keeping quality sky-high. every bowl, every time
• coaching your team to grow in confidence and skill
• staying cool under pressure and being fast on your feet
• making your kitchen a place where people want to work and guests can taste the pride
• thinking with a kaizen mindset. constantly spotting the little ways we can do things better, then making them happen

you’ll love this role if you...

• are ready to learn, lead + level up
• thrive in a fresh kitchen with no microwaves
• take real pride in your food and your team
• want to push for better. from prep to bowl
• believe kitchens should be places of connection, creativity + good vibes

what you’ll get

• a culture that supports your growth, wellbeing + individuality
• up to £8,000 annual bonus
• £200 a month to spend at wagamama outside of work
• private medical insurance
• 50% off wagamama outside of work
• free meals on shift
• fresh dry-cleaned chef whites, every shift
• early access to earned pay with wagestream
• 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for new parents
• first access to our new menus
• 30% off at our other brands (brunning & price pubs, barburrito + more)

in addition to this, we offer benefits such as: pension scheme, holiday, training, cycle to work scheme, retail + leisure discounts, discounted gym memberships + long service awards

we’re proud to be a disability confident employer. no matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our bench

feed yourself, feed others

#ext