Kitchen Manager/Head Chef

WDI UK Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A new restaurant, Buvette, is seeking a Kitchen Manager to lead the back-of-house team in delivering exceptional dining experiences. The role involves overseeing food operations, ensuring compliance with health standards, and collaborating with the General Manager to achieve business targets. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in kitchen management, strong leadership skills, and a passion for food and wine.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years as a Kitchen Manager or similar, ideally with new launch experience.
• Strong financial acumen and meticulous rota management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the BOH team to deliver a consistent and warm customer experience.
• Oversee food ordering, prep, service, cleanliness, and food safety.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Financial Acumen

Attention to Detail

Tools

MS Office

EPOS

Stock Systems

Payroll Control

Job description

Concept:

Established in early 2011 by Chef Jody Williams, in the heart of New York’s West Village, Buvette combines the elegance of an old-world café with the relaxed feel of a neighbourhood eatery. Buvette is a beloved mainstay for eating and drinking well at any time of day – from fresh croissants and croque madames at morning light, to steak tartare with a glass of champagne in the afternoon, to an evening of coq au vin and late digestifs at the bar. Come gather with friends or find a quiet moment alone, and savor the pleasure of good food and drink made with simplicity and care.

Buvette celebrates European traditions of craft and design. Each detail evokes a sense of story, place, and delight – baskets brimming with seasonal ingredients, heirloom keepsakes above the marble bar, antique furniture collected over the years by the chef.

Buvette will be launching in Covent Garden in late 2025.

Role:

As Kitchen Manager, it will be your responsibility to lead the BOH team to deliver a consistent, seamless, and warm experience for our customers. You will oversee all elements of food ordering, prep, service, cleanliness, and food safety. You will work closely with the General Manager to ensure the business achieves its targets.

Requirements:

• Minimum 3 years as a KM or similar, ideally with new launch experience
• Strong financial acumen, ability to control costs and produce reports and plans as required
• Meticulous rota management skills with necessary in-service agility
• IT competent (MS Office, EPOS, Stock Systems, Payroll Control, and all other systems)
• H&S and FSMS compliance management
• Recruitment experience
• Able to travel to Tokyo and New York for several months of training once you join
• Start Date by June 2025

The Candidate:

• A charismatic and memorable character
• A strong leader who can inspire, support, and develop their teams
• An effective communicator – both within the restaurant team and within head office departments
• Someone who thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure environments
• A passion for food & wine
• Fanatical attention to detail
• Intuitive and fast decision-making skills