Head Chef Braai Bird

KUDU 7 (MARYLEBONE) LIMITED; Greater London; Remote; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Braai Bird, part of the Kudu Collective family, is expanding and seeking a Head Chef to lead daily kitchen operations and deliver an exceptional guest experience. Working with the General Manager, you will oversee service quality, staff performance, and budget controls in a high-volume setting.

You will drive standards, supervise HR processes, and maintain health and safety compliance, while inspiring a team to deliver consistent, excellent hospitality. Right to work in the UK required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a high-volume restaurant environment.
• Understanding of labour control and rota planning.
• Confident in supporting the disciplinary and HR processes.
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Detail-oriented with a passion for quality and consistency.
• A genuine love for hospitality and guest experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage food service with an eye for quality and detail
• Anticipate service flow and adapt to the demands of the restaurant
• Attend and contribute to daily/weekly team meetings to maintain staff morale
• Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, and pride
• Handle team conflict with maturity and fairness
• Strong leadership skills with an affinity for capacity development to manage, train and develop the team
• Ensure a smooth flow of inventory and coordinate with Suppliers.
• Maintain strong control over labour costs without compromising the quality of food
• Drive productivity and efficiency across all service periods
• Ensure a fully equipped team regarding compliance and is well knowledgeable about the menu.
• Handle guest feedback and complaints with professionalism and care
• Build strong relationships with returning guests
• Lead by example in creating memorable experiences
• Ensure full compliance with UK legislation and company policies
• Maintain excellence in health & safety, food safety, and licensing
• Uphold HR procedures with consistency and integrity
• Drive adherence to SOPs across the team
• Maintain accuracy across scheduling, HR, and operational systems
• Support payroll, absence management, and reporting processes
• Ensure all daily and weekly administrative duties are completed to a high standard

Skills

High-volume experience

Labour control

Disciplinary support

Communication skills

Guest experience

Job description

Head Chef

Braai Bird is part of the Kudu Collective family founded by husband and wife duo Amy & Patrick in 2017. Our South African roots inspire the food - rotisserie chicken, sides, sauces and plenty of flavour. We pride ourselves on friendly, intimate service with a keen attention to quality and detail.

After an incredible journey, we’re excited to be returning to the neighbourhood where our story began. Peckham has always been at the heart of Kudu, as we begin an exciting new chapter and return to our roots in Peckham, we’re looking for passionate, ambitious people who want to be part of a restaurant where hospitality comes first, standards are high, and every member of the team has the opportunity to grow.

The Role

Working closely with the General Manager, ensuring that every service reflects the quality and warmth of Braai Bird. Taking ownership of daily operations of running the kitchen and delivering an amazing experience for our guests.

Key Responsibilities

Service & Operations

• Manage food service with an eye for quality and detail

• Anticipate service flow and adapt to the demands of the restaurant

• Attend and contribute to daily/weekly team meetings to maintain staff morale

People & Culture

• Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, and pride

• Handle team conflict with maturity and fairness

• Strong leadership skills with an affinity for capacity development to manage, train and develop the team

Labour & Efficiency

• Ensure a smooth flow of inventory and coordinate with Suppliers.

• Maintain strong control over labour costs without compromising the quality of food

• Drive productivity and efficiency across all service periods

Guest Experience

• Ensure a fully equipped team regarding compliance and is well knowledgeable about the menu.

• Handle guest feedback and complaints with professionalism and care

• Build strong relationships with returning guests

• Lead by example in creating memorable experiences

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure full compliance with UK legislation and company policies

• Maintain excellence in health & safety, food safety, and licensing

• Uphold HR procedures with consistency and integrity

• Drive adherence to SOPs across the team

Systems & Administration

• Maintain accuracy across scheduling, HR, and operational systems

• Support payroll, absence management, and reporting processes

• Ensure all daily and weekly administrative duties are completed to a high standard

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in a high-volume restaurant environment

• Understanding of labour control and rota planning

• Confident in supporting the disciplinary and HR processes

• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills

• Detail-oriented with a passion for quality and consistency

• A genuine love for hospitality and guest experience

What We Offer

• Salary package of a minimum of £45,000.00: base £31,724.16, tronc £13,275.84 plus excess tronc.

• Career progression within a growing hospitality group.

• The opportunity to work alongside a passionate and talented team.

If you are passionate about food, hospitality, and leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Right to Work in the UK required.

November 2026 opening