Lead Chef — Opening Kitchen at Brand-New Café Lounge

Loungers; Farnborough; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Overtime pay

Free meal on every shift

50% food & drinks discount from day 1

Christmas and Boxing Day off

Job summary

Loungers is hiring a hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Volo Lounge, a brand-new site in the group’s growing portfolio. You’ll own the kitchen end-to-end, building and guiding a motivated team while maintaining high standards and customer focus.

The role offers a permanent full-time contract, with a 48-hour schedule (40-hour option available), overtime pay, a structured bonus scheme and real progression opportunities within Loungers’ Casual Dining brand.

Qualifications

• Leads kitchen teams with hands-on leadership and clear development plans.
• Strong understanding of menu specs and food quality standards.
• Proven ability to manage GP, labour, stock and wastage KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the kitchen at Volo Lounge and lead every shift from open to close.
• Recruit, develop and coach kitchen staff up to Sous Chef level; provide honest feedback.
• Know menu specs and processes; spot issues before they occur and ensure dish quality.
• Own site-level action plans with GM on food wait times, standards, stock, and cleaning.
• Deliver on KPIs: food quality, wait times, wastage, food safety, GP; report performance.
• Schedule fair rotas aligned with sales and bookings forecasts for optimal skill mix.
• Collaborate with front of house to foster a one-team culture and cross-training.

Skills

People leadership

Cooking & menu knowledge

Kitchen leadership

Commercial awareness

Team development

Job description

Loungers is hiring a hands-on Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Volo Lounge, a brand-new site in the group’s growing portfolio. You’ll own the kitchen end-to-end, building and guiding a motivated team while maintaining high standards and customer focus.

The role offers a permanent full-time contract, with a 48-hour schedule (40-hour option available), overtime pay, a structured bonus scheme and real progression opportunities within Loungers’ Casual Dining brand.