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Jikoni; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Biodynamic farm training

Team meals

Restaurant discounts

Private health insurance

Pension scheme

Job summary

Jikoni is expanding to two new sites, with a new kitchen opening in April 2026. We are seeking talented Chefs to join the team, working closely with the Executive Chef and BOH to build a strong kitchen culture and deliver exceptional hospitality.

This hands-on role focuses on developing the new restaurant, growing with the team, and upholding our multicultural, inclusive, and service-oriented values.

Qualifications

• Excellent hospitality mindset with kindness and empathy.
• Strong alignment with company values of multiculturalism, integrity and hospitality.
• Leadership mindset to help build and shape a new kitchen team.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of a new restaurant and kitchen team.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef and BOH team to establish operations for opening April 2026.
• Contribute positively to a growing team and uphold the brand values during expansion.

Skills

Emotional skills

Values alignment

Leadership ambition

Culinary curiosity

Job description

Founded in 2016 in Marylebone, Jikoni is a purpose-led restaurant and community-focused business founded on the belief that the purpose of a restaurant is to restore. We create warmth, generosity, and kindness through hospitality that transforms how people feel, drawing on multicultural culinary traditions and the wisdom of the maternal kitchen. Our approach, \"Cooking Without Borders,\", celebrates diversity by sharing flavours, stories, and techniques from Asia, the Far East, India, the Middle East, and East Africa, bringing the nourishing, selfless essence of home-cooked meals to every guest.

Since our founding, Jikoni has grown steadily and is now poised to expand to 2 new sites: a vibrant new restaurant in Bloomsbury and a new all-day café and restaurant project with the new V&A East Museum in Stratford's Olympic Park. This expansion will serve as the foundation of the Jikoni Group.

What we're looking for

We're seeking a talented and passionate Chefs to join our team. In this role, you'll work closely with the Executive Chef and BOH team, playing an important part as a foundational member of our new kitchen team (opening April 2026). This is a hands-on role where you'll support the development of a new restaurant, continue to learn and grow in a dynamic environment and contribute positively to a growing team by exemplifying our company values: (Multiculturalism & Pluralism, Integrity, Hospitality & Seva (Selfless Service), Excellence, and Entrepreneurialism ) .

• Emotional Skillset: You embody the qualities that define great hospitality: Kindness, Optimism, Self-Awareness, Curiosity, Integrity, and Empathy.
• Values Alignment: You share our family values of Multiculturalism & Pluralism, Integrity, Hospitality & Seva (Selfless Service), Excellence, and Entrepreneurialism.
• Leadership & Ambition: A desire and drive to build and shape new channels of the business, contribute to a positive and supportive culture and build a career with us.
• Culinary Curiosity : A deep curiosity for our style of maternal cooking and immigrant cuisine and global flavours

What we offer

• Career Progression: Opportunities for growth in a dynamic and progressive company and working directly with senior management and directors to grow your leadership, business and hospitality skills while contributing to business with a positive purpose.
• Unique Training: Go beyond the kitchen with visits and hands-on training with our biodynamic farm partner and specialist producers.
• Competitive Package and Team Benefits: Delicious and wholesome team meals, a 51% team discount at our restaurants upon passing probation, 28 days holiday, a company pension scheme and private health insurance plans for all team members.