Head Chef

Bella Italia Croydon; Greater London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on food

Apprenticeships Level 4

Wages before payday

Wellbeing program

Team events

Career growth

Job summary

Bella Italia Croydon is seeking a dedicated Head Chef to lead our kitchen, delivering exceptional guest experiences and high-quality Italian dishes. You’ll manage a passionate team, uphold top hygiene standards, and drive profitability through smart menu decisions.

You’ll thrive in a fast-paced, guest-first environment, with opportunities for career growth and a supportive team that cares about people. Join our family and help shape memorable dining moments.

Qualifications

• Passion for hospitality and leading a talented kitchen team.
• Ability to drive guest experience and maintain high kitchen standards.
• Strong commercial awareness and willingness to develop talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the guest experience by ensuring every dish is cooked to perfection.
• Manage kitchen operations, hygiene, and cleanliness to the highest standards.
• Foster a fun, motivating team culture and develop talent.
• Be commercially minded by analyzing profit & loss and driving efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Hospitality

Job description

At Bella Italia, we believe that the best moments in life are spent with loved ones—sharing food, friendship, laughter, and the joy of the Italian table. If you have a passion for pizza, pasta, and leading a fantastic team, then this is the job for you!

Come and be part of the Bella Italia family as a Head Chef.

Why Join Bella?

We know that happy teams create the best experiences, so we offer:

• Competitive Package - 45-hour contract quarterly bonus and opportunity to earn Tronc
• Place for Everyone - We celebrate individuality and believe our differences make us stronger. Whoever you are, if you bring passion and leadership, there’s a place for you in our kitchen!
• Amazing Discounts - 50% off food and drink across all Big Table Group brands and 25% for friends & family.
• Career Growth - Fully funded apprenticeships in Hospitality Management (Level 4).
• Salary Sacrifice Scheme - Make the most of tax-efficient savings on National Insurance, pension contributions, and a range of lifestyle benefits.
• Wellbeing & Support - Our Employee Assistance Programme includes a 24/7 virtual GP, mental health support, healthcare cash plan, dental plan, a second medical opinion service, and more.
• Perks & Rewards - Access to wages before payday, discounted gym memberships, and savings on theme parks, shopping, and more!
• Team Competitions & Events - Win a trip to Italy, team parties, and even a chance to win e-points to spend on your favourite retailers.

What You’ll Do as a Head Chef:

• Work closely with the management team to achieve restaurant goals.
• Lead the guest experience by ensuring every dish is cooked to perfection.
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and kitchen hygiene.
• Create a fun, motivating team environment, with a focus on developing and nurturing talent.
• Be commercially minded—analyzing profit & loss accounts to make strong financial decisions and drive efficiency.

Who We’re Looking For:

If you’ve got a real love for hospitality, enjoy bringing people together, and thrive in the buzz of a fast-paced, guest-first environment, you might just be the perfect fit for us.

At Bella Italia, our teams are like family. We put people at the heart of everything we do, creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where you can be yourself, feel supported, and grow your career. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process, just let us know – we’ve got you.

Thinking about using AI tools for your application? They can be great for getting started, but what really makes an application shine is you, your energy, experience, personality, and leadership style.

What’s the process?

Application → CV review → friendly phone chat → first-stage interview → second-stage interview → offer and onboarding.

At Bella Italia, we don’t just look for experience – we look for people with a genuine love for hospitality who care about their teams and our guests. If that sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you to the family.

Don’t just take our word for it we’re proud to be named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026.