Head Chef — Lead a Dynamic Café Kitchen & Team

Loungers plc; Kendal; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & bonus

Overtime pay

Free meals on every shift

Bonus scheme twice yearly

Food & drink discount from day one

Early pay access via Stream

Career development & training

Job summary

Cortillo Lounge, part of Loungers plc, is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen and deliver high standards with a hands-on, team-focused approach. The role offers a 48-hour contract (40-hour option), overtime pay, and a clear path for progression within a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales.

You’ll manage the kitchen from open to close, recruit and develop your team, and ensure every dish meets our specs while driving KPIs, cost control and guest satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef.
• Ability to lead and coach kitchen teams.
• Strong understanding of GP, labour, stock, wastage and food safety KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the Cortillo Lounge kitchen from open to close.
• Recruit, develop and coach kitchen team members across all levels.
• Maintain menu specs and kitchen processes to ensure consistent quality.
• Own a site-level action plan with the GM covering wait times, stock counts and cleaning.
• Deliver on kitchen KPIs—quality, wait times, wastage and GP—and report performance.
• Schedule fair rotas aligned to sales and bookings.
• Collaborate with front of house to foster a one-team culture.

Skills

People leadership

High standards

Menu knowledge

GP & KPIs

Adaptable

Job description

Cortillo Lounge, part of Loungers plc, is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen and deliver high standards with a hands-on, team-focused approach. The role offers a 48-hour contract (40-hour option), overtime pay, and a clear path for progression within a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales.

You’ll manage the kitchen from open to close, recruit and develop your team, and ensure every dish meets our specs while driving KPIs, cost control and guest satisfaction.