Head Chef – Mediterranean Lounge

Two Ninety Lounge; Greater London; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Service charge & tips

Job summary

Two Ninety Lounge in Southgate, London, seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead the Mediterranean kitchen, develop the menu, and establish culinary standards for a new mid-to-upscale lounge concept.

You will run a small 3–4 person team, oversee all aspects of food preparation, hygiene and presentation, and collaborate with management to craft a distinctive menu with Turkish, Greek, Italian, Lebanese influences.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef or senior chef.
• Strong Mediterranean cuisine experience (Turkish, Greek, Italian, Lebanese or similar).
• Passion for menu development and culinary innovation.
• Excellent grilling, seafood, pasta and mezze techniques.
• Strong stock-control and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the kitchen team on a day-to-day basis.
• Develop a Mediterranean-inspired menu reflecting the lounge's identity.
• Ensure high standards of food quality, hygiene and presentation.
• Oversee food preparation, kitchen operations and inventory.
• Train, motivate and supervise kitchen staff and work with front-of-house.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Mediterranean cuisine

Menu development

Grilling & seafood

Stock control

Team management

Attention to detail

Food safety & hygiene

Allergen knowledge

Food hygiene certification

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

Head Chef – Mediterranean Lounge. Location: 290 Chase Road, Southgate, London, N14 6HA. Position: Full-time. Start Date: To be confirmed.

About Us.

We are a new mid-to-upscale Mediterranean lounge based in Southgate, bringing together the flavors and culinary traditions of the Mediterranean with influences from Turkish, Greek, Italian, Lebanese, and other Mediterranean cuisines. Our concept combines quality food with a sophisticated lounge atmosphere, cocktails, and entertainment. We offer live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, together with late dining on Friday and Saturday, creating a vibrant destination for both dining and socializing.

We are looking for an experienced and creative Head Chef to join our team and play a key role in establishing the kitchen, developing our menu, and setting the culinary standards for the venue.

The Role.

As Head Chef, you will take overall responsibility for the kitchen and work closely with the management team to develop a distinctive Mediterranean menu that reflects the identity of the lounge. This is an exciting opportunity for a chef who is passionate about Mediterranean cuisine and enjoys combining traditional flavors with modern presentation and techniques.

You will lead a small kitchen team of approximately 3–4 people, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, hygiene, and service.

Key Responsibilities.

• Lead and manage the kitchen team on a day-to-day basis..
• Develop and create an exciting Mediterranean-inspired menu with influences from Turkish, Greek, Italian, Lebanese, and other Mediterranean cuisines..
• Work with management to establish the culinary identity and style of the restaurant..
• Develop new dishes, specials, and seasonal menu items..
• Ensure all dishes are prepared and presented to a consistently high standard..
• Oversee food preparation and kitchen operations..
• Demonstrate strong knowledge and experience across grill, seafood, pasta, mezze, and general Mediterranean cuisine..
• Manage food ordering, stock levels, portion control, and kitchen inventory..
• Minimize food waste while maintaining quality and consistency..
• Maintain excellent standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and health and safety..
• Ensure appropriate food storage, preparation, and allergen procedures are followed..
• Manage kitchen organization and ensure the team operates efficiently during busy services..
• Train, motivate, and supervise kitchen staff..
• Work closely with front-of-house and management teams to ensure smooth service..
• Maintain consistency during busy evening and late-night services, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays..
• Contribute ideas to continuously improve the menu, kitchen operation, and overall guest experience..

The Ideal Candidate.

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Head Chef with a strong background in Mediterranean cuisine.

The successful candidate will have:

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or senior chef..
• Strong experience with Mediterranean cuisine, particularly Turkish, Greek, Italian, Lebanese, or similar cuisines..
• A genuine passion for food and menu development..
• Excellent knowledge of grilling, seafood, pasta, mezze, and Mediterranean cooking techniques..
• Experience creating and developing menus..
• Strong organizational and stock-control skills..
• The ability to manage and motivate a small kitchen team..
• The ability to remain calm and organized during busy services..
• Excellent attention to detail and presentation..
• A strong understanding of food safety, hygiene, allergens, and kitchen health and safety requirements..
• Relevant food hygiene certification and any other certificates required to work professionally in a commercial kitchen..
• A professional approach and commitment to maintaining high culinary standards..

What We Offer.

• The opportunity to take a leading culinary role in a new Mediterranean lounge concept..
• Significant input into the creation and development of the menu..
• The opportunity to build and lead a small, dedicated kitchen team..
• A mid-to-upscale dining environment..
• A creative setting combining food, cocktails, live music, and late-night dining..
• The opportunity to establish the kitchen's standards and culinary identity from the beginning..

Start date: To be confirmed.

If you're an experienced chef with a passion for Mediterranean cuisine and want to play a major role in creating something distinctive in Southgate, we'd love to hear from you.

Experience: Required
Employment: Full-time
Schedule: Tuesday - Sunday 5pm - 11
Salary: £15 – £20 hourly
Benefits: Service charge & tips

About Two Ninety Lounge:
We are a new generation style lounge/restaurant, serving mediteranean food, shisha and cocktails.