Head Chef

BAO London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

BAO London is seeking a passionate Head Chef to join their award-winning team. This role involves managing kitchen operations, menu development, and leading a creative team. Ideal candidates will have prior experience in high-quality restaurants and a strong focus on innovation and quality.

Benefits

Professional Development

Monthly Meal

Dining Discounts

Taiwan Travel Club

Milestone Incentives

Wellbeing Support

Celebrations

Family Support

Qualifications

• Prior experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-quality restaurant.
• Strong awareness of trends and seasonality of produce.

Responsibilities

• Ensure delivery of consistent, high-quality, innovative dishes.
• Manage overall kitchen operation including prep schedules and stock control.

Skills

Creativity

Attention to Detail

Team Management

Financial Management

Job description

Salary - up to £55,000 annually

Schedule - Full Time

Experience - Prior experience of Head Chef

BAO SOHO are seeking a Head Chef to join their team. The successful candidate will be friendly, personable, and passionate about all things food and drink. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Head Chef looking for a new role in an award-winning, critically acclaimed group.

The Restaurant

Since opening in 2015, BAO Soho has garnered critical acclaim, gained a cult following, and has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for four consecutive years. Inspired by the Xiao Chi Houses in Taiwan, BAO Soho serves a selection of BAOs and small eats. BAO’s goal is to create restaurants that offer unique experiences, inspired by our founder’s upbringing and travels around Asia. Each restaurant within the group has a distinct narrative and menu.

The Position

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of consistent, high-quality, and innovative dishes and specials. You will play a key role in menu development, working closely with the Directors. You will manage the overall kitchen operation, including prep schedules, stock control, budgeting, maintenance, and the day-to-day management of the kitchen team.

If you have the following, then we want to hear from you:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-quality restaurant
• Strong awareness of trends and seasonality of produce
• A highly creative approach with excellent attention to detail
• Proven ability to manage, train, and motivate a kitchen team
• Experience in managing staff costs, scheduling, and reviewing rotas
• Strengths in finances, purchasing, and menu costing
• Knowledge of health and safety, compliance, and procedures

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented Head Chef eager to join a restaurant group with ambitious plans.

The Benefits

We aim to create a great place to work, reflecting the comforting experience of a BAO.

Here's what’s in it for you:

• Professional Development: Supportive culture, access to School of BAO, L&D calendar, e-learning, personalized development plan
• Lifestyle Perks: Monthly meal, dining discounts at 30 brands, curated wine lists, meat at trade price, retail and takeaway discounts
• Taiwan Travel Club: Trip to Taiwan to immerse in the culture
• Milestone Incentives: Vouchers, culinary experiences, trips abroad, extra holidays
• Wellbeing Support: Mental health support, discounted gym memberships, cycle to work scheme
• Celebrations: Biannual company parties, Taiwan social clubs
• Family Support: New-born care package, free kids’ parties in restaurants

The Group

BAO, meaning steamed bun, is more than just food—it's a brand with a cult following, inspired by Taiwanese culture. Founded in 2013 by Erchen Chang, Shing Tat Chung, and Wai Ting Chung in East London, it now spans 7 restaurants across London, each with a unique story and experience.

At BAO, we seek individuals who bring warmth, creativity, and humor to our hospitality. We strive to foster an environment of inspiring design, innovative thinking, and attention to detail that challenges and rewards our team.