Lead Kitchen Chef — Bold Flavors, Team Growth & Perks

wagamama; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus up to £1,000

Biweekly pay + tips

50% off for friends and family

Free meals on shift

Earned wage access (wagestream)

Pension & holiday

Job summary

wagamama is seeking a sous chef to support leading shifts and the kitchen team, ensuring every bowl is made with fresh ingredients and no shortcuts. You’ll work with the management team to run a vibrant, high-performing kitchen and foster a culture of pride and quality.

You will develop your team, manage line work, monitor food safety and cost controls, and drive continuous improvement. This full-time role offers biweekly pay, a bonus and great family-friendly benefits.

Qualifications

• You’ll love training and developing others to maintain high standards.
• Experience in managing line and planning shifts for proper cover.
• Understanding gross profit, stock control and labour costs in a kitchen.
• Enjoy celebrating team successes and recognising individual drives.

Responsibilities

• Run a vibrant, high-performing kitchen with the management team.
• Lead the kitchen to ensure every dish is fresh, bold and full of flavour.
• Support and empower your team to feel seen, valued and proud of their work.
• Develop your team to grow, not just hit targets.
• Continuously spot small improvements and implement Kaizen-style changes.

Job description

wagamama is seeking a sous chef to support leading shifts and the kitchen team, ensuring every bowl is made with fresh ingredients and no shortcuts. You’ll work with the management team to run a vibrant, high-performing kitchen and foster a culture of pride and quality.

You will develop your team, manage line work, monitor food safety and cost controls, and drive continuous improvement. This full-time role offers biweekly pay, a bonus and great family-friendly benefits.