Head Chef

Chalk Restaurants; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head Chef for its vibrant restaurant in Wokingham. This role involves overseeing culinary operations, ensuring the delivery of innovative dishes while maintaining high standards of quality and safety. The ideal candidate will bring exceptional leadership skills and a strong commercial acumen, contributing to an elegant dining experience. If you have a passion for quality food and a knack for team management, this opportunity offers a chance to thrive in a dynamic environment focused on excellence and guest satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Experienced professional in the hospitality industry with a focus on quality.
• Strong leadership skills with a background in managing culinary operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary operations ensuring high-quality, innovative dishes.
• Train and mentor kitchen team while managing costs for profitability.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Creative Skills

Commercial Acumen

Cost Management

Team Management

Education

Supervising Food Safety Level 3

IOSH Managing Safely

Job description

Chalk Group is an independent and dynamic group of neighbourhood restaurants and bars open across Wokingham, Maidenhead, Farnborough, and Aldershot. Each venue is unique, but all share the belief that meals should be enjoyed in casual, beautiful spaces with gracious and personal service for all our guests.

We are currently recruiting for a Head Chef at Chalk Restaurant in Wokingham.

Chalk Wokingham is a modern neighbourhood restaurant & bar situated in the Berkshire town of Wokingham. It is a space that encourages locals and visitors to gather over delicious British food and great drinks.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversee all culinary operations of the restaurant, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, innovative, and on-trend dishes.
2. Ensure the kitchen delivers high volumes of food during peak times while maintaining the highest standards of consistency and quality.
3. Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and food hygiene regulations, including allergen management.
4. Train and mentor the kitchen team, focusing on development, engagement, and retention.
5. Control kitchen costs, including food costs, labour, and waste, to ensure profitability and efficiency.
6. Collaborate with front-of-house staff to ensure smooth service and exceptional guest experiences.
7. Participate in menu tastings, reviews, and adjustments based on customer feedback and trends.
8. Manage food costs, waste reduction, and staff efficiency to ensure success.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

You will be an experienced professional in the hospitality industry. Chalk Restaurants offers casual yet refined dining focused on quality, so you should have experience managing culinary operations in upmarket establishments.

You will possess exceptional leadership skills and the ability to deliver high-quality service that contributes to the overall atmosphere of Chalk Group, providing an elegant and memorable experience for all guests.

You will also have:

• Strong creative skills with experience in identifying target audiences.
• Excellent business relationship skills.
• Commercial acumen with evidence of successfully managing costs and delivering results.
• Experience in ensuring profit margins and targets are met or exceeded.
• A solid background working with key stakeholders internally and externally to achieve objectives.
• Understanding of launching and activating new hospitality spaces.
• Experience in financial and budget reporting, with a strong commercial understanding.
• Strong team management and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop your team.
• Supervising Food Safety Level 3 qualification or equivalent.
• IOSH Managing Safely or similar qualification.
• The flexibility to work 5 days over 7.

WHAT WE OFFER

We offer a salary of £50,000 plus a performance-related bonus.