Chef / Kitchen Lead (Brunch & Café)

MEVE Group Limited; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 360,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

FIRST SIP in Hong Kong is seeking a hands-on chef to own the kitchen and develop a premium all-day brunch menu with 5–6 signature dishes. You will work closely with the founders to ensure quality, consistency and efficient execution, balancing creativity with operational needs.

The role emphasizes high presentation standards, fresh ingredients and a collaborative, fast-paced café environment. Ideal candidates bring café/brunch experience and a passion for hospitality.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Chef or Sous Chef in a café or brunch restaurant.
• Strong knowledge of brunch cuisine and modern café food.
• Experience creating menus from scratch.
• Passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine a small, high-quality brunch menu (approximately 5–6 signature dishes).
• Create recipes that are consistent, efficient and commercially viable.
• Prepare and serve food to a high standard during service.
• Design kitchen workflows to maximise speed and consistency.
• Develop prep lists, recipes and portion guides.
• Monitor food quality, freshness and presentation.
• Manage stock levels and minimise food waste.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and hygiene regulations.
• Source quality ingredients and recommend suppliers where appropriate.
• Train kitchen staff and establish clear operating procedures.
• Work with the team on seasonal specials and new menu launches.
• Maintain a clean, organised and efficient kitchen at all times.

Skills

Brunch cuisine

Menu development

Kitchen leadership

Food safety HACCP

Time management

Teamwork

Job description

FIRST SIP is a modern speciality café serving exceptional coffee, ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha, smoothies, açai bowls and thoughtfully crafted food. We’re looking for a passionate chef to help shape the next stage of our food programme by developing a small but outstanding brunch menu focused on quality, consistency and fresh ingredients.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys creativity, takes pride in presentation, and wants to help build something from the ground up.

The Role

We’re looking for a hands-on chef who can take ownership of our kitchen, develop a simple but premium all-day brunch menu, and ensure every dish leaves the kitchen to a consistently high standard.

You’ll work closely with the founders to create around 5–6 signature menu items that complement our speciality coffee and matcha programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and refine a small, high-quality brunch menu (approximately 5–6 signature dishes)
• Create recipes that are consistent, efficient and commercially viable
• Prepare and serve food to a high standard during service
• Design kitchen workflows to maximise speed and consistency
• Develop prep lists, recipes and portion guides
• Monitor food quality, freshness and presentation
• Manage stock levels and minimise food waste
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and hygiene regulations
• Source quality ingredients and recommend suppliers where appropriate
• Train kitchen staff and establish clear operating procedures
• Work with the team on seasonal specials and new menu launches
• Maintain a clean, organised and efficient kitchen at all times

Initial Menu Development

We’d like the successful candidate to help create dishes such as:

• Signature All-Day Breakfast
• Eggs on Sourdough (various styles)
• Seasonal chef’s special

The menu should focus on premium ingredients, beautiful presentation and efficient execution.

Requirements

• Previous experience as a Chef or Sous Chef in a café or brunch restaurant
• Strong knowledge of brunch cuisine and modern café food
• Experience creating menus from scratch
• Passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong understanding of food safety and HACCP standards
• Creative mindset with attention to detail
• Positive attitude and strong teamwork skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of the kitchen

Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for someone who:

• Understands current brunch trends
• Can balance creativity with operational efficiency
• Takes pride in consistency and presentation
• Wants to grow alongside a young and ambitious café
• Is proactive, reliable and passionate about hospitality