Head Chef (Milton Keynes)

YO! RESTAURANT; Castlethorpe; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YO! food

Professional qualifications funded

Private medical health plan

24/7 Employee Assistance Line

Discounted gym memberships

Discounted dining and retail offers

50% off food for you and three friends

Sustainability initiatives

Job summary

YO! RESTAURANT in Castlethorpe, England, is seeking an inspiring Head Chef to lead our kitchen with passion for quality and consistency.

You will own the kitchen, mentor the team, and ensure every dish is fresh and beautifully presented, while collaborating with the General Manager to elevate the dining experience.

Contracted hours are 45 per week; we offer great benefits including free staff meals, funded qualifications, private medical cover, and wellbeing support.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in fast-paced kitchens.
• Strong focus on quality and consistency across all dishes.
• Excellent communication and team-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team
• Ensure every dish is fresh, consistent, and beautifully presented
• Manage service with calm leadership and clear communication
• Collaborate with the General Manager to enhance the dining experience
• Train and develop your team to nurture future talent
• Maintain high standards of food quality, safety, and cleanliness
• Oversee stock management, deliveries, and kitchen organization
• Create a positive, inclusive, and energetic kitchen culture
• Drive consistency, structure, and continuous improvement

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Culinary excellence

Communication

Education

Culinary qualification / NVQ level 3 or higher

Tools

Kitchen management software

Job description

About You Are you an inspiring, hands-on Head Chef who thrives in a dynamic kitchen environment? If you have a passion for quality and consistency, and you love leading from the front, this could be your next big opportunity! As a leader, you remain calm under pressure, confident in your culinary skills, and dedicated to fostering a positive kitchen culture.

Key Responsibilities

As our Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the kitchen, ensuring that every dish is a masterpiece while creating an environment where your team feels supported and proud.

• Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen team
• Ensure every dish is fresh, consistent, and beautifully presented
• Manage service with calm leadership and clear communication
• Collaborate closely with the General Manager to enhance the overall dining experience
• Train and develop your team to nurture future talent
• Maintain high standards of food quality, safety, and cleanliness
• Oversee stock management, deliveries, and kitchen organization
• Create a positive, inclusive, and energetic kitchen culture
• Drive consistency, structure, and continuous improvement

Contracted Hours: 45

What We Offer

• Fantastic working hours
• Free YO! food - Enjoy your favorite dishes during your shifts!
• Grow with YO! - We'll fund your professional qualifications (up to Degree level) while you work.
• Brilliant support services for your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing, including a private medical health plan and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Line.
• Discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, dining, and retail offers through our reward platform.
• 50% off your food every time you dine with us, for you and three friends!
• Award-winning sustainability initiatives - We're committed to progress against 9 UN sustainability goals, including sourcing 100% of our salmon from certified sustainable sources.

Join us on an exciting culinary journey! Since our debut in 1997, we've transformed the restaurant scene, introducing the UK to a fresh way of enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine. With over 70 restaurants worldwide and more than 300 kiosks across the UK, we're not just about sushi; our menu boasts a delightful array of hot street food that's bursting with flavor.