Head Chef

Pentole&Padelle; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full-time role

48-hour contract

Competitive salary

Two days off

28 days holiday

Company pension

Staff meals on duty

20% discount

Career progression

Supportive environment

Job summary

Pentole & Padelle in Bloomsbury, London, seeks a Head Chef with a passion for authentic Italian cuisine and fresh handmade pasta. You will lead the kitchen, oversee pasta and pizza production, and ensure top quality and consistency.

The role emphasizes mentoring, cost control, and collaboration with directors to drive the restaurant's continued growth. Proficiency in English and Italian is required; a 48-hour contract, a competitive salary, and 28 days holiday support your work.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-quality authentic Italian restaurant.
• Extensive experience producing fresh handmade pasta.
• Extensive knowledge of traditional Italian pizza and dough fermentation.
• Strong understanding of regional Italian cuisine.
• Excellent knowledge of Italian ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.
• Experience managing food cost, stock control and kitchen GP.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• HACCP and food safety knowledge.
• Calm under pressure with excellent organisational skills.
• A genuine passion for training and developing young chefs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the entire kitchen team.
• Produce exceptional fresh handmade pasta every day.
• Oversee pizza production and dough management.
• Maintain the highest standards of food quality and consistency.
• Manage ordering, stock control and food costs.
• Ensure impeccable kitchen organisation and cleanliness.
• Develop and train the kitchen team.
• Work closely with the Directors to continue growing one of London’s most respected Italian restaurants.

Skills

Head Chef Experience

Fresh handmade pasta

Pizza dough fermentation

Regional Italian cuisine

Italian ingredients knowledge

Food cost control

Team leadership

Food safety HACCP

Mentoring juniors

English Advanced

Italian Advanced

Job description

Head Chef – Authentic Italian Fresh Pasta & Pizza

Location: Bloomsbury, London. Pentole & Padelle is a leading independent Italian restaurant specializing in fresh handmade pasta, authentic Italian pizza and traditional regional Italian cuisine.

The role seeks a skilled Head Chef with a genuine passion for authentic Italian cuisine, respect for ingredients, simplicity and technique.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience as Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef in a high-quality authentic Italian restaurant.
• Extensive experience producing fresh handmade pasta.
• Extensive knowledge of traditional Italian pizza and dough fermentation.
• Strong understanding of regional Italian cuisine.
• Excellent knowledge of Italian ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.
• Experience managing food cost, stock control and kitchen GP.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills.
• Strong HACCP and food safety knowledge.
• Calm under pressure with exceptional organisational skills.
• A genuine passion for training, mentoring and developing young chefs.
• Italian chefs are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications are also welcomed from chefs of any nationality who have a genuine and proven understanding of authentic Italian cuisine, language and culture.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the entire kitchen team.
• Produce exceptional fresh handmade pasta every day.
• Oversee pizza production and dough management.
• Maintain the highest standards of food quality and consistency.
• Manage ordering, stock control and food costs.
• Ensure impeccable kitchen organisation and cleanliness.
• Develop and train the kitchen team.
• Work closely with the Directors to continue growing one of London’s most respected Italian restaurants.

Opening Hours

Monday–Friday: 10:00am start, last kitchen order 9:30pm. Saturday: 11:00am start, last kitchen order 9:30pm. Sunday: 11:00am start, last kitchen order 9:00pm.

Benefits

• Full-time permanent position.
• 48-hour contract.
• Competitive salary based on experience.
• 2 days off each week out of 5 working days.
• 28 days paid holiday.
• Company pension.
• Staff meals provided on duty.
• 20% discount for family and friends.
• Genuine opportunities for career progression as the company continues to expand.
• Supportive environment with directors passionate about authentic Italian food and attuned to team values.

Languages and Employment

Languages required: English – Advanced, Italian – Advanced. Employment: Full-time.

About the Candidate

The ideal candidate leads with respect, professionalism and humility, values consistency alongside creativity, enjoys teaching others, creates a positive kitchen culture, and treats the business as if it were their own.