Head Chef

YO! RESTAURANT; Exeter; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading restaurant group seeks a Head Chef for its Exeter location to lead kitchen operations and inspire a passionate team. The ideal candidate will ensure food quality, enhance guest experiences, and foster team development, all while managing costs effectively. Join a dynamic team known for exceptional Japanese cuisine and enjoy numerous benefits including free food and opportunities for professional advancement.

Benefits

Excellent working hours

Free YO! food on shift

Professional qualifications funding

Support services for wellbeing

Discounted gym memberships

50% off dining with friends

Sustainability initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in leading kitchen teams within a restaurant environment.
• Strong knowledge in food preparation and safety standards.
• Passion for Japanese cuisine and high-quality food service.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring food quality and safety standards.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing kitchen team.
• Manage food costs effectively to drive restaurant profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Food Quality Control

Kitchen Management

Team Development

Customer Experience

Education

Professional Chef Qualification

Job description

Head Chef Operations - Exeter
Contract: Full Time
Salary: GBP36,202 - GBP38,201
Contracted Hours: 45

We burst onto the restaurant scene in 1997, when we shook up London and showed the UK a new way of eating. Part of this was the 'kaiten' conveyor belt and colour-coded dishes which made our name.

We're all about fresh, flavoursome, authentic Japanese food. Sushi is what we're famous for, but we also have a mouth-watering range of hot street food available - from traditional classics to innovative fusion dishes. All packed with rich, aromatic flavours and umami. Today, we have over 70 restaurants worldwide, more than 300 kiosks in the UK, and grocery products including pre-packaged sushi in most major UK supermarkets.

We are looking for dynamic individuals with a love and passion for food to join us on our exciting journey. Our people are at the heart of what we do:

• You will be a role model, have an appetite for success, and a real thirst for delivering exceptional results.
• You will be ambitious and eager to learn.
• You will always strive to do your best.
• You will be enthusiastic and have a positive attitude.
• You will embrace challenges head-on with a can-do spirit.
• You will want to be part of our success story.

What you will be doing:

The Head Chef is responsible for the entire operation of their YO! Kitchen and ultimately accountable for the safety of our teams and guests.

Leading and inspiring the kitchen team, you are obsessive about food quality, adherence to specifications, and can prepare each YO! dish brilliantly. Happy teams and happy guests are your mantra, and you instill this approach across the team. You are passionate about providing an incredible guest experience, developing the team to Super Squad status, and driving the restaurant's profitability through effective control of food costs.

You are comfortable and natural in all sections of the kitchen, capable of cutting fish, cooking rice, rolling sushi, and preparing kitchens daily. You are an inspirational presence, running high-energy shifts from the kitchen and ensuring each part of the day delivers an outstanding experience for guests and team members.

We're proud to offer:

• Excellent working hours
• Free YO! food - enjoy your favorite dishes every shift from our menu
• Opportunities to grow with YO! - we will fund your professional qualifications up to Degree level
• Support services for your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing, including private medical plans and 24/7 Employee Assistance Line
• Discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, dining, and retail offers via our reward platform
• 50% off your food when dining with us, plus for 3 friends
• Our sustainability initiatives include sourcing 100% of salmon from certified sustainable sources, avoiding species classified as MCS "Fish to Avoid"