Head Chef: Lead Kitchen, Grow Your Team & Standards

Loungers; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

Overtime pay

Bonus scheme

Free meal on every shift

Discount on food and drinks from day 1

Career development programmes

Early access to pay

Staff events (Loungefest)

Job summary

Loungers is hiring a hands-on Head Chef to lead Vallado Lounge’s kitchen. You’ll drive high standards, build a cohesive team and run a kitchen like it’s your own, ensuring every dish leaves the pass perfectly. The role offers real progression within a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales.

You’ll manage shifts, coach staff, optimise menu specs and work closely with front-of-house to foster a one-team culture, with overtime paid and a clear bonus scheme in place.

Qualifications

• Natural people leader who builds loyal, motivated teams.
• Leader from the line and the pass, coaching in the moment.
• Cares about fresh, high-quality ingredients and accurate menu specs.
• Commercially minded with GP, labour, stock and wastage awareness.
• Experience as Head Chef, Kitchen Manager or Sous Chef, ready for next step.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the kitchen at Vallado Lounge, leading shifts from open to close.
• Recruit, develop and coach kitchen staff across all levels with clear development plans.
• Ensure menu specs and kitchen processes are followed; spot issues before they arise.
• Own site-level action plans with the GM on food wait times, stock counts and cleanliness.
• Deliver kitchen KPIs: food quality, wait times, wastage and food safety; report performance.
• Schedule fair rosters aligned with sales and bookings forecasts.
• Collaborate with front-of-house to build a one-team culture.

Skills

People leadership

Kitchen leadership

Culinary excellence

Commercial mindset

Team development

Job description

Loungers is hiring a hands-on Head Chef to lead Vallado Lounge’s kitchen. You’ll drive high standards, build a cohesive team and run a kitchen like it’s your own, ensuring every dish leaves the pass perfectly. The role offers real progression within a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales.

You’ll manage shifts, coach staff, optimise menu specs and work closely with front-of-house to foster a one-team culture, with overtime paid and a clear bonus scheme in place.