Head Chef

Dover Street Market; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Up to 60% DSM Employee Discount

50% discount on Rose Bakery food and (

RetailTrust access

24/7 VirtualGP

Cyclescheme

Eyecare vouchers

Job summary

Dover Street Market's Rose Bakery is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen, drive seasonal menus and uphold top food safety standards. You will work closely with our Restaurant Manager to ensure smooth operation and outstanding guest experience.

You will motivate and develop the kitchen team, manage rotas, and maintain high standards of food quality, consistency and waste reduction in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a high-quality kitchen.
• Experience developing kitchen teams and menus.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create innovative, seasonal menus and event menus.
• Ensure tools, ingredients and knowledge are available for menus.
• Lead and develop the kitchen team to a high performance.
• Maintain excellence in food quality, presentation and safety.
• Plan rotas to cover trading days, peaks and events.
• Maintain cleanliness and food safety standards across the kitchen.
• Oversee stock control and food ordering efficiently.
• Collaborate with Front of House on menu changes and allergies.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Attention to detail

Kitchen team leadership

Creativity

Flexibility

Problem solving

Food Hygiene Level 2

Education

Food Hygiene Level 2

Job description

As Head Chef you will be responsible for managing the kitchen at Rose Bakery in Dover Street Market. You will be working hand in hand with our Restaurant Manager to ensure the kitchen operates efficiently while consistently delivering exceptional food quality, outstanding customer experience and the highest standards of food safety and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Create innovative, seasonal and commercially successful bi-weekly menus, together with bespoke menus for events and special occasions.
• Ensure all chefs have tools, ingredients and knowledge to implement these menus
• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team, creating a positive, collaborative and high-performing working environment.
• Manage kitchen operations, ensuring excellence in quality, consistency, and food presentation
• Plan and manage kitchen rotas to ensure appropriate staffing levels for daily trading, peak periods and events
• Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness, organisation and food safety throughout the kitchen, ensuring all cleaning schedules are completed.
• Manage the Kitchen Team rota ensuring that we are fully covered and have the correct resource for busy periods and events
• Implementing a structure that ensures that all food is prepared on time, and that food levels are sufficient for the day
• Oversee and manage food ordering, and stock control efficiently and sustainably
• Work closely with Front of House teams to ensure effective communication of menu changes, allergens, daily specials and operational priorities.
• Train, mentor, and develop junior chefs, fostering growth and creativity
• Regular staff meetings to discuss menu ideas, long-term projects, events and kitchen improvements
• Ensure all equipment is maintained, reporting repairs promptly and managing preventative maintenance where required.

Skills Required

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef within a high-quality restaurant or hospitality environment
• Strong leadership and people management skills with experience developing kitchen teams
• Strong eye for detail and organisational skills, someone who strives for a high level of accuracy within a rapidly changing environment
• Strong people manager with ability to lead the Kitchen Team
• Brings creativity, curiosity, and a genuine love for fresh, seasonal cooking
• Flexible attitude and ability to manage a varied workload
• Ability to identify problems and implement appropriate solutions proactively
• Food Hygiene & Safety Level 2

Attitude

• A highly motivated and competent individual able to converse with all levels both internally and externally (including producers and suppliers)
• A total self-starter able to set the standard by their own professionalism and attitude
• Knowledge and passion for seasonal products
• Interested in food trends, and an eye for detail within the Rose Bakery aesthetic
• Must have an exceptional level of kitchen experience, a real understanding and passion for food, and the importance of sourcing, provenance as well as seasonality

What We Offer

• 20 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, increasing with each year of service up to 5 additional days
• Up to 60% DSM Employee Discount
• 50% discount on all Rose Bakery food and drink
• Access to RetailTrust, our Employee Assistance Programme
  
• 24/7 Access to our VirtualGP service
• Cyclescheme and Eyecare Vouchers

Equal Opportunity

We celebrate the diversity of our workforce, which makes us unique, creative, and connected. As an equal opportunity employer, we ensure fair treatment for all candidates and employees. We welcome people from all walks of life and strive to make everyone feel they belong. We regularly review our recruitment and onboarding processes to be as inclusive as possible. We respect everyone’s stories and celebrate our differences