Head Chef

Wahaca; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Head Chef to lead a vibrant kitchen team. This role emphasizes not just culinary excellence but also inspiring a positive work environment where every team member feels valued. You will manage food safety standards, oversee stock control, and ensure all dishes are crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you have a passion for creating memorable dining experiences and a love for fresh food, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your skills and lead a talented team in delivering exceptional hospitality.

Benefits

70% off food and 50% off drinks

£100 probation celebration

Up to £1000 friend referrals

Bonus scheme

Enhanced maternity/paternity pay

Early access to wages

Free nutritious meals

Cycle to work scheme

Sabbatical every 5 years

Training courses

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or similar role in a vibrant kitchen environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety and hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and manage a team of chefs to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
• Ensure adherence to food safety standards and recipe accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Food Safety Standards

Team Management

Recipe Adherence

Stock Control

Passion for Fresh Food

Education

Culinary Arts Certification

Food Safety Level 3

Job description

Our story:

Wahaca is the leading Mexican restaurant in the UK, founded by Thomasina Miers (Masterchef winner) and Mark Selby. Inspired by their time in Mexico and a mission to prove to the UK just how vibrant and delicious Mexican food is, championing great British produce and sourcing ingredients locally.

Wahaca remains deeply rooted in the values set by our founders. By showing pride, staying humble, choosing integrity, having fun, and thinking positively, our team serves a taste of Mexican sunshine. With an upbeat atmosphere and chef made dishes, we believe that every meal should be an adventure, every guest a friend, and every moment an opportunity to create lasting memories.

We are currently looking for a Head Chef who will play pivotal role in driving our brand standards forward, a hospitality leader who can truly inspire their team to deliver that WOW-worthy experience to every guest.

How you'll drive success:

• Work alongside your General Manager to maintain the highest food safety standards.
• Manage and support a team of junior chefs, including section chefs, prep chefs, and Sous Chef.
• Inspire and guide your team by leading from the front, always ready to step in and support, ensuring all guests are served up a taste of Mexican sunshine
• Champion a positive environment and deeply care about your team, driving their progression
• A passion for fresh food - our dishes are made from scratch using seasonal ingredients, and you'll ensure our chefs are fully trained to follow recipes and maintain the highest standards.
• Accountable for stock control and ordering, confidently managing various systems in your daily operations

At Wahaca, we believe our team deserves the best, and here are just some of our perks:

FINANCIAL:

• 70% off food and 50% off drinks when dining at Wahaca with up to 3 friends
• £100 to celebrate your probation in Wahaca
• Up to £1000 through friend referrals
• Bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption pay
• Early access to wages, financial support and discounts through Wagestream

HEALTH AND WELLBEING:

• Free, nutritious meal every time you work, freshly made by our talented chefs
• Cycle to work scheme
• Support from our trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Time off for when needed; like your child's first day at school
• Sabbatical - 4 weeks paid off work - every 5 years

DEVELOPMENT:

• Training courses: Mental Health First Aid, Food Safety LV 3,
• Inspirational trips with our co-founders
• Own development plan

SOCIAL:

• Unwind and turn up the fun at one of our many events across the year
• Our very own Masterchef and Cocktail competitions
• The fun is in your hands with allocated funds and time to drive the fun with your team

If you're inspired by what you've read and have a passion for delivering exceptional hospitality, we'd be thrilled to have you join our team!

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