Lead Chef - Chester

Restaurant Associates; Chester; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free lunch on duty

On-site gym

Free parking on-site

Employee discounts

Career progression and training

Job summary

Restaurant Associates is seeking a passionate Lead Chef to join our team and deliver outstanding lunchtime food. You will lead and develop a small kitchen team, oversee food safety and stock management, and work closely with the General Manager to raise standards and drive the business.

The role emphasizes developing the operation, improving guest experience, managing ordering and costs, and ensuring compliant, high-quality service through the weekday hours stated.

Qualifications

• Must have a passion for delivering high-quality, well-presented food.
• Experience leading a kitchen team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety, allergens and compliance.
• Commercial aware with grasp of GP, costs and profitability.
• Excellent organisational skills for ordering and stock management.
• Proactive, energetic, and focused on raising standards.
• Ability to work with General Manager to grow the business.
• Committed to staff development and training.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a small kitchen team.
• Oversee food safety and compliance.
• Manage ordering and stock levels.
• Work with General Manager to improve standards and drive lunchtime business.
• Deliver creative, high-quality lunchtime menus.

Skills

Team leadership

Food safety

Stock control

Menu development

Commercial awareness

Organisational skills

Allergens handling

Food presentation

Communication

Job description

We're looking for a passionate and driven Lead Chef to join our team and play a key role in delivering an outstanding food experience. This is an exciting opportunity for a chef who takes pride in quality, enjoys developing a team and wants to have a real impact. You'll lead and develop a small kitchen team, oversee food safety and compliance, manage ordering and stock, and work closely with the General Manager to improve standards, grow the business and deliver creative, high-quality lunchtime food. We're looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine passion for food and takes pride in delivering high-quality, well-presented food with creativity and flair.
• Enjoys leading, developing and motivating a kitchen team, creating a positive, supportive and high-performing working environment.
• Understands the importance of food safety, allergens, due diligence, health & safety and kitchen compliance, and takes ownership of maintaining high standards.
• Has commercial awareness, including an understanding of sales, GP, cost control and financial performance, or is keen to develop these skills.
• Is organised and comfortable with the day-to-day administration of a kitchen, including ordering, stock management and financial controls.
• Is proactive, energetic and full of ideas, with a genuine desire to improve standards, develop the operation and enhance the client experience.
• Takes an active interest in growing the business and increasing footfall, including employee dining, office catering and events.
• Is committed to their own development as well as developing the kitchen team and contributing to the overall success of the business.
  Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.
  Monday-Friday, 6:30am-3:00pm, giving you a great work-life balance.
• No weekends or public holidays.
• Sociable working hours in a supportive and professional environment.
• Free lunch and coffee while on duty.
• Free on-site gym and parking.
• Monthly prize raffle, with the chance to win event and concert tickets, gifts and more.
• Extensive training and progression opportunities to support your professional development.
• The opportunity to work closely with the General Manager to develop and grow the business, improve performance and make a real impact.
• Discounted Event tickets
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families