As the Second Chef/Head Chef, you will oversee the day-to-day kitchen operations and take responsibility for delivering an exceptional dining experience for our guests. This full-time role will be crucial in maintaining the high culinary standards of our established restaurant. Our ideal candidate is a creative professional who is willing to participate in or supervise the kitchen creating delicious seasonal menus including Indian food and assist in meal designs.

What you'll be doing

• Planning and preparing diverse and creative menus that showcase the best of local and seasonal produce and an interest in Indian cooking
• Managing and supervising the kitchen team to ensure efficient and coordinated meal preparation
• Maintaining strict food safety and hygiene standards in the kitchen
• Controlling food and labour costs to maximise profitability
• Collaborating with the management team to develop new menu items and dining experiences
• Ensuring a positive and productive kitchen environment
• Ensuring efficient preparation and delivery of functions
• Ability to delivering an award winning buffet or tailor making a-la-carte menus for our varied bus groups and tailor making a-la-carte menus

Chef duties and responsibilities

Depending on the seniority of their role, chefs/head chefs perform a broad range of day-to-day duties. These include:

• Ability to supervise the smooth running of the kitchen, including the daily preparation, production and presentation of food.
• Working alongside, direct and support kitchen team members ensuring excellence and consistency in the product delivered to customers
• Assisting other Chefs/cook with monitoring all food being served by the Kitchen is of a high quality & accurate portion size in a timely manner
• Maintaining stock control through recording & monitoring wastage of your section
• Taking stock of ingredients and equipment and placing orders to replenish stock.
• Enforcing safety and sanitation standards in the kitchen.
• Creating new recipes to keep the menu fresh with costing.
• Prepare and cost a menu for the head chef role.
• Keeping up to date with industry trends.
• Receiving feedback and making improvements where necessary.
• Devise new menu items in consultation with other Chefs
• Preparing for service, which includes ensuring the kitchen is well stocked with the necessary ingredients, as well as cleaning, cutting and marinating food
• Cooking and serving food, while coordinating with other kitchen staff and wait staff
• Maintaining the cleanliness and tidiness of the kitchen
• Creating new dishes and planning menus
• Ensuring that dishes meet high standards at all stages of preparation and presentation
• Training junior chefs/apprentices to prepare and cook relevant menu items

Chef Requirements:

To be successful in this role you will need;

•   Minimum 4 years current previous cooking experience including Indian food specialty
•   Professional trade qualification
•   Food Safety Certificate
•   Food Supervisor Certificate for head chef role
•   Strong communication and organizational skills
•   Specialty in cooking on the grill (preferable)
•   A positive and energetic attitude
•   Be able to work under pressure within a dynamic team environment
•   Exemplary work ethic in a high-pressure environment including functions and bus groups
•   Be able to coach and motivate less experienced members of the kitchen team 
•   Availability to work a variety of shifts on a rotating roster (including weekends and public holidays) 
•   Perfectionism in sanitation and quality control on a daily basis
•   Portfolio of creative, unique dishes
•   Expert multitasking ability
•   Great interpersonal skills
•   Exemplary work ethic in a high-pressure environment
•   Passion and pride for delighting people with food
•   Develop new menu options based on seasonal changes and customer demand
•   Ensure that kitchen activities operate in a timely manner  
•   Being able to maintain standards and expectations of the business
•   Minimum of 2 years' previous A La Carte experience
•   Challenge driven with a strong passion for continued learning and self-development
•   Ability to work in a small team environment and be flexible with working conditions
•   Excellent knowledge in commercial cookery (desserts, grill, larder etc.)

What we're looking for

• Significant experience as a Second Chef or Head Chef in a consistent restaurant environment
• Strong leadership and people management skills to inspire and develop your team
• Exceptional culinary skills and a passion for creating delicious, visually appealing dishes including Indian
• Thorough understanding of food safety regulations and cost control measures
• Ability to work collaboratively with the wider business team
• Excellent communication and organisational abilities

We provide a supportive and inclusive work environment where your talent and contributions will be truly valued. 

As part of our dedicated team, you will play a crucial role in delivering exceptional service and culinary excellence to our guests.

 Apply now to join our talented kitchen team. Sponsorship is available to the right applicant.