Head Chef

YO! Sushi; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the restaurant scene is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead their kitchen team. This role offers an exciting opportunity to oversee kitchen operations, ensuring food quality and team motivation. You will play a pivotal role in creating delightful guest experiences while managing food costs effectively. With a commitment to fresh, authentic Japanese cuisine, this position promises a dynamic work environment where your leadership can shine. Join a team that values innovation and excellence, and contribute to a success story that continues to redefine dining experiences across the UK.

Benefits

Free YO! food during shifts

Professional development support

Private medical plans

Discounted gym memberships

50% off food for friends

Wellbeing services

Cinema tickets discounts

Dining and retail offers

Qualifications

• Proficient in all kitchen sections including sushi preparation.
• Experience in leading and motivating kitchen teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring safety and high food quality.
• Lead and motivate kitchen team to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Food Quality Control

Team Development

Culinary Skills

Kitchen Management

Education

Culinary Degree

Job description

Head Chef

Operations - Milton Keynes

Contract: Full Time

Salary: £36,202 - £38,201

Contracted Hours: 45

We burst onto the restaurant scene in 1997, shaking up London and introducing a new way of eating across the UK. Our innovations include the 'kaiten' conveyor belt and color-coded dishes, which made us renowned.

Our focus is on fresh, authentic Japanese cuisine. While sushi is our signature, we also offer a variety of hot street foods—from traditional classics to innovative fusion dishes—all rich in flavor and umami. Today, we operate over 70 restaurants worldwide, with more than 300 kiosks in the UK, along with grocery products and pre-packaged sushi in major supermarkets.

We seek passionate and dynamic individuals to join us on our exciting journey. Our people are central to our success:

• You will be a role model with a drive for success and a commitment to delivering exceptional results.
• You will be ambitious and eager to learn.
• You will strive to excel in your role.
• You will possess enthusiasm and maintain a positive attitude.
• You will embrace challenges with a can-do attitude.
• You will want to contribute to our success story.

What you will be doing:

The Head Chef oversees the entire operation of their YO! Kitchen, ensuring the safety of our teams and guests. You will lead and motivate the kitchen team, maintaining high standards of food quality, adherence to specifications, and excellence in every dish. Your goal is to create a happy team and delightful guest experiences, develop your team to Super Squad status, and drive profitability through effective control of food costs.

You will be proficient across all kitchen sections—preparing fish, cooking rice, rolling sushi, and maintaining the kitchen environment daily. Your energetic leadership will ensure each shift delivers outstanding experiences for guests and staff alike.

We're proud to offer:

• Excellent working hours
• Free YO! food—enjoy your favorite dishes during your shifts
• Support for professional development—funding for qualifications up to Degree level
• Wellbeing services, including private medical plans and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Line
• Discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, dining, and retail offers
• 50% off your food when dining with us, plus for three friends
• Commitment to sustainability, sourcing salmon from certified sustainable sources and avoiding species classified as 'Fish to Avoid'