Head Chef

Lola Cafe; Philippines; On-site; PHP 700,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff meals

Culinary training

Professional development

Recognition

Wellbeing focus

Job summary

Lola Cafe in Quezon City, Metro Manila, seeks an experienced Head Chef to lead culinary operations in a full-time role. You will oversee all aspects of food preparation, menu development, and culinary standards, while managing a team of professionals to deliver exceptional dishes to guests.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in cuisine with 3-5 years in senior leadership, strong HACCP knowledge, and a passion for Filipino regional cooking.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8+ years of professional culinary experience, with at least 3-5 years in a head chef or senior kitchen leadership role.
• Advanced culinary qualification or formal training from a recognised culinary school or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Proficiency in diverse cooking techniques and cuisines, with the ability to create innovative dishes.
• Proven expertise in menu planning, recipe development and food costing.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, health codes and HACCP principles.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire and develop staff.
• Outstanding organisational and time management abilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with all departments.
• Passion for culinary excellence and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with Filipino cuisine or regional Southeast Asian cooking is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking techniques, plating and presentation standards.
• Develop, design and refine menus that reflect seasonal ingredients, culinary trends and guest preferences.
• Manage food inventory, ordering and stock control to ensure cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.
• Lead, train, mentor and supervise kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culinary team.
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene regulations and health standards at all times.
• Maintain consistency in dish quality and presentation across all service periods.
• Monitor food costs and implement strategies to optimise profitability whilst maintaining culinary excellence.
• Collaborate with management and front-of-house teams to understand guest feedback and adapt offerings accordingly.
• Plan and execute special events, tasting menus and promotional dishes.
• Maintain and manage kitchen equipment, ensuring proper maintenance and safety protocols.

Skills

Leadership

Food cost management

Menu development

Kitchen operations

HACCP knowledge

Team mentoring

Communication

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our culinary operations at Lola Cafe in Quezon City, Metro Manila. This is a full-time position that represents a key leadership role within our kitchen, where you will oversee all aspects of food preparation, menu development, and culinary standards. As Head Chef, you will be instrumental in maintaining the quality, consistency, and creativity that define the Lola Cafe dining experience, whilst managing a team of culinary professionals to deliver exceptional cuisine to our guests.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking techniques, plating and presentation standards
• Develop, design and refine menus that reflect seasonal ingredients, culinary trends and guest preferences
• Manage food inventory, ordering and stock control to ensure cost-effectiveness without compromising quality
• Lead, train, mentor and supervise kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culinary team
• Ensure strict adherence to food safety, hygiene regulations and health standards at all times
• Maintain consistency in dish quality and presentation across all service periods
• Monitor food costs and implement strategies to optimise profitability whilst maintaining culinary excellence
• Collaborate with management and front-of-house teams to understand guest feedback and adapt offerings accordingly
• Plan and execute special events, tasting menus and promotional dishes
• Maintain and manage kitchen equipment, ensuring proper maintenance and safety protocols

What we're looking for

• Minimum 8+ years of professional culinary experience, with at least 3-5 years in a head chef or senior kitchen leadership role
• Advanced culinary qualification or formal training from a recognised culinary school or equivalent hands-on experience
• Proficiency in diverse cooking techniques and cuisines, with the ability to create innovative dishes
• Proven expertise in menu planning, recipe development and food costing
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, health codes and HACCP principles
• Excellent leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire and develop staff
• Outstanding organisational and time management abilities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with all departments
• Passion for culinary excellence and commitment to continuous improvement
• Familiarity with Filipino cuisine or regional Southeast Asian cooking is highly desirable

What we offer

At Lola Cafe, we are committed to creating a workplace where our team members thrive and develop their careers. We offer competitive remuneration packages commensurate with experience, opportunities for professional growth and advancement within our organisation, and a dynamic work environment where creativity and innovation are celebrated. We provide staff meals, access to ongoing culinary training and professional development programmes, and recognition for outstanding performance. We believe in fostering a supportive team culture where your contributions are valued and your wellbeing is a priority.

About us

Lola Cafe is a vibrant dining establishment in Quezon City, Metro Manila, dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences that celebrate flavour, quality and hospitality. We are passionate about creating memorable moments for our guests through carefully crafted cuisine, warm service and an inviting atmosphere. Our commitment to excellence, authenticity and customer satisfaction defines everything we do, and we take pride in being a destination where both locals and visitors come to enjoy outstanding food and genuine Filipino warmth.

If you are an ambitious and talented culinary leader ready to make your mark, we would love to hear from you.