head chef

wagamama; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A popular Asian cuisine restaurant chain is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead their kitchen team. You will ensure the highest standards in food preparation and kitchen safety while nurturing the growth and engagement of your team. This role involves managing kitchen finances and creating an inclusive work environment. Perks include a bonus scheme, medical insurance, and ongoing training opportunities.

Benefits

Bonus scheme | up to £8,000 a year

Private medical insurance + pension scheme

Dedicated 6-week training programme

Dry-cleaned chef whites provided every shift

£14 - £25 of free food allowance on every shift

50% discount at wagamama + 30% off all other trg brands

Internal progression opportunities

28 days holiday

Family friendly policy

Kintsugi wellness

Financial wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experienced head chef capable of leading a kitchen team to drive performance.
• Strong communicator who ensures team members feel heard and supported.
• Experienced in maintaining high food, health, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen team and ensure high standards for every dish served.
• Develop and grow the kitchen team through effective leadership.
• Manage kitchen's financial performance including gross profit and stock control.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Food safety standards

Financial performance understanding

Labor cost management

Inclusive environment creation

Job description

the role

as a head chef at wagamama you'll lead your kitchen team in the wagamama way, live + breath our people promise, values and embody core leadership behaviours. you’ll be responsible for ensuring that every dish served by the kitchen team meets our high standards. you’ll look after the development and growth of your team through inspiring leadership, ensuring they are engaged, motivated, and high performing

our perks + quirks |

• bonus scheme | up to £8,000 a year bonus opportunity
• private medical insurance + pension scheme
• dedicated 6-week training programme
• dry-cleaned chef whites provided every shift
• £14 - £25 of free food allowance on every shift
• 50% discount at wagamama + 30% off all other trg brands with family and friends
• internal progression opportunities | fully funded apprenticeship programmes to support your growth
• 28 days holiday
• family friendly policy | any expectant person or anyone adopting a child will receive 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay
• kintsugi wellness | access to councillors, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym + leisure
• financial wellbeing support | access to loans repaid through your salary for those ‘strapped for cash’ moments in life

what we look for |

• an experienced head chef that is able to lead a kitchen team through positive behaviour + actions to drive performance in a fast paced + complex environment
• a strong communicator that has real conversations with consideration + care, ensuring your team feel heard + supported
• experienced in ensuring your kitchen’s food, health and safety standards are spotless
• experienced in understanding the financial performance of a kitchen including gross profit and stock control
• comfortable managing the labour cost of your team, reacting to changing demands where necessary
• passionate about creating an inclusive environment where your team feel respected + that they belong
• an individual who leads to inspire and engage their team to nourish + flourish in their role and career

the wagamama way |

kaizen , meaning ‘good change’, is the philosophy that sits at the core of who we are. it shapes every dish we create and pushes us to find better ways in all we do. our food, how we think, how we work, it has to be fresh . committed to championing change in both our communities + the impact on the planet

three whole decades of acting different, we don’t conform, we celebrate difference. appreciating personality over perfection . welcoming everyone and their unique story to our benches. we promise to have your back. working together to build close bonds of trust + support. creating safe spaces where we can have real conversations with open hearts + open minds

all we ask is for you to dish up what makes you different

be you, be wagamama