Head Chef

Las Iguanas; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Las Iguanas in Milton Keynes is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead a busy, high-energy kitchen. You will set standards, inspire the team, and deliver consistently outstanding Latin-inspired dishes.

You will train and develop chefs, manage costs and stock, and partner with the General Manager to drive guest satisfaction and restaurant success.

Qualifications

• Experienced, hands-on Head Chef leading from the front.
• Passion for fresh food and leadership under pressure.
• Strong focus on training and developing kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with management to achieve restaurant goals.
• Lead guest experience by ensuring every dish is cooked to perfection.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and kitchen hygiene.
• Foster a fun, motivating team and develop talent.
• Be commercially minded, analyse P&L to drive efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Profit & loss analysis

Cost control

Job description

Join Our South American Adventure as a Head Chef

At Las Iguanas, our food is the heart of the fiesta. Inspired by the bold flavours, colour and soul of Latin America, our kitchens are fast‑paced, energetic places where passion, pace and personality come together and our Head Chefs set the standard.

As a Head Chef at Las Iguanas, you’ll take full ownership of the kitchen, leading the team to deliver consistently great food while creating a positive, high‑energy culture. You’ll inspire, train and develop your chefs, run smooth and confident services, and make sure standards around quality, safety and cleanliness are always spot on.

You’ll balance creativity with control managing costs, labour and stock effectively, while keeping the flavour bold and the kitchen motivated. Working closely with the General Manager, you’ll play a key role in driving the success of the restaurant and building a kitchen team that’s proud of what they deliver every day.

We’re looking for an experienced, hands‑on Head Chef who thrives in a busy environment and loves leading from the front. You’ll be passionate about fresh food, confident developing people, and calm under pressure someone who brings energy, structure and consistency to the kitchen.

If you’re ready to lead a kitchen that’s full of flavour, personality and passion and want to build something special with a brand that celebrates individuality and teamwork Las Iguanas is the place for you.

Why Join Las Iguanas?

We know that happy teams create the best experiences, so we offer:

• A Place for Everyone – We celebrate individuality and believe our differences make us stronger. Whoever you are, if you bring passion and leadership, there’s a place for you in our kitchen!

• Hourly pay and opportunity to earn Tronc

• Amazing Discounts – 50% off food and drink across all Big Table Group brands and 25% for friends & family.

• Career Growth – Fully funded apprenticeships in Hospitality Management (Level 4).

• Wellbeing & Support – Our Employee Assistance Programme includes a 24/7 virtual GP, mental health support, a second medical opinion service, and more.

• Perks & Rewards – Access to wages before payday, salary finance support,healthcare cash plan, dental plan,discounted gym memberships, and savings on theme parks, shopping, and entertainment!

• Team Competitions & Events – Win a trip to Cuba, Brazil or Beyond, team parties, and even a chance to win e-points to spend on your favourite retailers.

What You’ll Do as a Head Chef:

• Work closely with the management team to achieve restaurant goals.
• Lead the guest experience by ensuring every dish is cooked to perfection.
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and kitchen hygiene.
• Create a fun, motivating team environment, with a focus on developing and nurturing talent.
• Be commercially minded—analysing profit & loss accounts to make strong financial decisions and drive efficiency.

Who We’re Looking For:

At Las Iguanas, our teams are like family. We put people at the heart of everything we do, creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where you can be yourself, feel supported, and grow your career. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process, just let us know – we’ve got you.

Thinking about using AI tools for your application? They can be great for getting started, but what really makes an application shine is you, your energy, experience, personality, and leadership style.

What’s the process?

Application → CV review → friendly phone chat → first‑stage interview → second‑stage interview → offer and onboarding

At Las Iguanas, we don’t just look for experience – we look for people with a genuine love for hospitality who care about their teams and our guests. If that sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you to the family.