Lead Chef — Craft World-Class Menus in a Conservation Kitchen

Chester Zoo; Chester; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff family pass

Complimentary tickets for friends and家

Healthcare plan

Employer contributory pension scheme

33 days annual leave

Job summary

Chester Zoo is seeking a Lead Chef to support the Sous Chef and Head Chef in delivering fresh, high-quality ingredients across our venues, including an Asian-inspired street food kitchen, a gastro pub, and a staff canteen.

You will lead, train and mentor teams, develop menus, and work with the front-of-house to ensure outstanding guest experiences. The role offers a permanent contract with a 40-hour week and overtime opportunities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of chef skills in a high-volume business, including hotels, venues, restaurants, pubs and contract catering.
• Understanding of current restaurant and event food trends.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Stock handling experience.
• Minimum Level 2 Food Safety.
• Good COSHH understanding and workplace application.
• Good communication and coaching skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide support in the day-to-day running of the kitchen. Deputise for the Sous Chef in their absence and act as the first point of contact for service recovery.
• Support the Sous Chef in devising and delivering on-trend restaurant, gastro pub and event menus ahead of competition, ensuring all venues at Chester Zoo maintain its world class reputation.
• Produce food for customers of our restaurants and events to the highest standards in order to maximise profit and deliver a world class experiences.
• Train and mentor Chef de Parties, Line Chefs and Seasonal team members to ensure effective and efficient work practice.
• Work collaboratively with the front of house team to ensure seamless delivery.
• Adhere to, and ensure team members adhere to, health and hygiene, standard operating procedures and safe working practices including food safety systems and associated legislation (for example HACCP).
• Ensure correct stock levels on a day-to-day basis, placing order requests to the Sous Chef, and accepting deliveries, ensuring they are correct and rotating stock as required.

Skills

Chef skills

High-volume cooking

Stock management

Customer service

Coaching

Food safety

Education

Minimum Level 2 Food Safety

Job description

Chester Zoo is seeking a Lead Chef to support the Sous Chef and Head Chef in delivering fresh, high-quality ingredients across our venues, including an Asian-inspired street food kitchen, a gastro pub, and a staff canteen.

You will lead, train and mentor teams, develop menus, and work with the front-of-house to ensure outstanding guest experiences. The role offers a permanent contract with a 40-hour week and overtime opportunities.