Head Chef

Smyth Companies, LLC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meals

Employee benefits

Excellent career progression

Creative working environment

Job summary

Smyth Companies in Central London is seeking an ambitious Head Chef to lead the kitchen of a modern British restaurant. You will shape the menu, maintain high standards and drive profitability while inspiring a talented team.

The role requires hands-on leadership, creative input, and a deep passion for British produce and seasonality. You will manage GP, costs, and supplier relationships, delivering exceptional guest experiences across lunch, dinner and weekend services.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or senior sous chef in high-quality restaurants.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Excellent understanding of GP, food costs and kitchen profitability.
• Passion for modern British cuisine and seasonal ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop a talented kitchen brigade.
• Create and evolve a modern British, seasonal menu using high-quality ingredients.
• Maintain high standards of cooking, presentation and service.
• Take ownership of food GP, labour costs, ordering, stock and wastage.
• Build relationships with suppliers and champion British produce.
• Recruit, train and mentor kitchen team.
• Work with General Manager and senior management.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Lead during lunch, dinner and weekend services.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Cost control

People development

Food safety

Job description

We are looking for an ambitious, creative and commercially minded Head Chef to lead the kitchen of an exciting modern British restaurant in the heart of Central London.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a chef who is passionate about British produce, seasonality and modern cooking, and who wants genuine creative input into the food offering while leading a talented and professional kitchen team.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, maintaining exceptional standards across food quality, service, people and profitability.

You will:

• Lead, inspire and develop a talented kitchen brigade.
• Create and evolve a modern British, seasonal menu using high-quality ingredients.
• Maintain consistently high standards of cooking, presentation and service.
• Take ownership of food GP, labour costs, ordering, stock and wastage.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and champion the best British produce.
• Recruit, train and mentor members of the kitchen team.
• Work closely with the General Manager and senior management team.
• Ensure excellent food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards.
• Lead from the front during busy lunch, dinner and weekend services.
• Create a positive, professional and ambitious kitchen culture.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Head Chef or exceptional Senior Sous Chef with a proven background in high-quality restaurants.

You will be:

• Passionate about modern British cuisine and exceptional ingredients.
• A confident and inspiring leader.
• Creative while understanding the importance of consistency.
• Commercially aware, with strong knowledge of GP and kitchen costs.Calm, organised and hands-on under pressure.
• Experienced in leading and developing a professional brigade.
• Comfortable working in a busy Central London restaurant environment.
• Someone who takes pride in their food, their team and the overall guest experience.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary £55,000
• Opportunity to build and develop your own kitchen team.
• Excellent career progression within an ambitious restaurant group.
• Staff meals and employee benefits.
• A professional, supportive and creative working environment.