Head Chef

Peoplebank; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dine Out Allowance

Lunch after probation

Dining discounts across JKS group

Job summary

Chaiyo Group in Central London is launching a landmark fine dining Thai concept in partnership with JKS Restaurants. We are seeking a talented Head Chef to lead the kitchen, drive menu development and deliver exceptional Thai hospitality at the highest level.

You will manage kitchen operations, mentor a talented brigade and work closely with Directors to ensure quality, consistency and financial discipline in a fast‑paced, prestigious setting.

Qualifications

• 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 to your work with excellent attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage, train and motivate a Kitchen brigade.
• Experience in managing staff costs, scheduling and reviewing staff rotas.
• Strengths in finances, purchasing and menu costing.
• A working knowledge of health and safety, compliance and procedures.

Responsibilities

• As Head Chef, deliver consistent, high‑quality and innovative dishes and specials.
• Lead menu development in collaboration with Directors.
• Manage overall kitchen operation: prep schedules, stock control, budgeting and maintenance.
• Oversee day-to-day kitchen team and staffing.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu development

Creative cooking

Staff management

Cost control

Health & safety

Job description

Experience - Previous experience as a Head Chef within a fine dining, quality restaurant. Knowledge of Thai cuisine is preferred.

Chaiyo Restaurants, in partnership with JKS Restaurants, is seeking a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead an extraordinary new chapter — a landmark fine dining Thai restaurant opening in Central London.

If you're ready to be part of one of the most exciting new openings in London's culinary scene, working alongside a world-class team committed to delivering exceptional food and genuine Thai hospitality at the very highest level, we want to hear from you.

Chaiyo Group

Chaiyo was born from Chef Luke Farrell's near two-decade love affair with Thailand — its food, its spirit, and its people. Having opened Plaza Khao Gaeng on Tottenham Court Road, Borough Market, Covent Garden, Speedboat Bar in Chinatown and Notting Hill. Chaiyo has built a reputation for restaurants that carry the true soul of Thai life into the heart of London. Each venue is an expression of a culture Luke has called home, celebrated through vibrant food, warm hospitality, and an infectious passion for sharing it all.

Central to Chaiyo's ethos is Luke's Ryewater Nursery in Dorset, where a growing collection of tropical greenhouses supplies the restaurants with the brilliantly fresh herbs and aromatics that are essential to genuine Thai cooking — an extraordinary commitment to quality and provenance that sets Chaiyo apart.
Now, in partnership with JKS Restaurants — one of the UK's most celebrated and ambitious restaurant groups — Chaiyo is taking a bold new step: a fine dining Thai concept with huge ambitions, set to become one of London's most talked-about openings

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 and maintenance, as well as 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 to your work with excellent attention to detail;
• Proven ability to manage, train and motivate a Kitchen brigade;
• Experience in managing staff costs, scheduling and reviewing staff rotas;
• Strengths in finances, purchasing and menu costing;
• A working knowledge of health and safety, compliance and procedures;

This is a very exciting opportunity not to be missed for a talented Head Chef eager to join a restaurant group with ambitious plans.

At Chaiyo, we believe in a culture that truly backs our people. Hospitality is a people industry, and we're committed to rewarding the hard work and loyalty that makes us who we are.

Award-Winning Workplace

Recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026

Dining & Hospitality

• Dine Out Allowance - Quarterly peer to peer at competitor restaurants
• Lunch for 2 after probation
• Up to 50% off dining across JKS restaurants
• CODE App membership - Discount at some of the UK's best restaurants
• Self care salary - £1,200 additional salary to spend on your self care.
• Discounted gym membership with up to 25% off at 4,000+ venues across the UK
• 24/7 Doctor & prescription services for peace of mind healthcare
• 8 free counselling sessions to support your mental wellbeing
• Employee Assistance Program providing confidential support when you need it
• Health, legal, money and debt support services available

Entertainment

• Up to 55% off cinema tickets
• Up to 25% off UK attractions (London Eye, Thorpe Park, SEA LIFE, and more)
• Up to 15% cashback at 70+ major retailers across the UK
• Wagestream - stream a portion of your pay earlier when you need it
• Access to financial advice to help with your financial planning
• Company donations for your involvement with charities

Special Occasions & Recognition

• Wedding gift & newborn care package - celebrating your big occasions
• Staff parties & long service awards recognising your commitment
• Employee referral scheme - earn up to £600 per referral
• Additional holiday for every year with us (rising to 30 days)

The Group

JKS Restaurants was founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam, and Sunaina Sethi in November 2008. Since its inception, the group has received critical acclaim and industry recognition, including 7 Michelin stars, 4 Michelin Bib Gourmands, a restaurant ranked among the World’s 100 Best Restaurants, and a spot in the Sunday Times Best 100 Places to Work 2024.

The JKS portfolio currently features Michelin-starred restaurants such as Trishna, Gymkhana, Kitchen Table, Sabor, and Lyle’s, along with cult favourites Hoppers, BAO, Brigadiers, Berenjak, Plaza Khao Gaeng, Speedboat Bar, Bibi, and Ambassadors Clubhouse. Pubs include The Cadogan Arms, The George and The Hound.

JKS Restaurants offers a unique opportunity to pursue a career in fine dining or to develop within trend-focused casual cuisine, with opportunities across all disciplines for those looking to advance their careers within a people-focused, collaborative hospitality group.