Chef

Job overview: YAN 512 COMPANY LIMITED (brand name Take Your Time) is a brand-new Pan-Asian restaurant set to open in Reading in May 2025. We are committed to blending diverse Asian flavors with modern culinary creativity to create a unique dining experience. Our menu primarily features Taiwanese street snacks, Southeast Asian cuisine (including Thai and Indonesian), selected Japanese dishes, and Western cuisine. Signature items include Taiwanese braised pork rice, beef noodle soup, spicy mala duck blood vermicelli soup, Indonesian-style stuffed pancake (Martabak), Thai tom yum goong pasta, as well as fusion-style dishes like tomahawk steak, lamb rack, and baked fish. We are looking for a chef who is passionate about Asian cuisine and open to innovation to join our opening team. You will be involved in daily kitchen operations, dish preparation, and menu development to ensure the quality, flavor, and creativity of all dishes. Key Responsibilities • Prepare, cook, and plate a variety of Asian fusion dishes according to the menu, ensuring consistent quality and presentation; • Operate kitchen equipment proficiently and maintain high standards of hygiene and safety during food preparation; • Manage ingredient inventory, assist with purchasing, minimize waste, and ensure fresh and cost-effective kitchen supplies; • Collaborate closely with team members to ensure smooth kitchen operations and efficient dish output; • Adjust and design seasonal or festive specialty dishes; • Guide and train junior kitchen staff to enhance the team’s overall professional standards; • Comply with food safety regulations and internal operational procedures, ensuring a clean and orderly kitchen environment; • Assist in establishing kitchen systems and testing operational processes, and participate in food tastings and adjustments. Who We’re Looking For (qualifications, experience and skills) • At least 2 years of professional chef experience in the food service industry, with a preference for those familiar with Asian cuisines; • Familiarity with Taiwanese, Southeast Asian (Japanese, Thai, Indonesian), or Western cuisine; fusion cuisine experience is a plus; • Strong knife skills and cooking techniques, able to independently prepare and produce a variety of dishes; • Passion for kitchen work and a spirit of innovation, with a willingness to contribute to menu development and flavor refinement; • Team player with strong collaboration skills to work closely with fellow chefs and front-of-house staff; • Knowledge of kitchen hygiene standards and food safety regulations, maintaining a high-standard working environment; • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced setting while maintaining high output quality under pressure; • Basic English communication skills, able to understand instructions and kitchen procedures; • Willingness to help build kitchen systems, workflows, and culture from the ground up.

This is a full-time on-site role for a Shawarma Chef located in Reading. The Shawarma Chef will be responsible for preparing and cooking shawarma dishes, marinating meats, operating kitchen equipment, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

Develop and oversee the preparation of new menu items, mix grill, burgers and others items in coordination with management while improving existing grill dishes to enhance customer satisfaction. Supervise and oversee the preparation of grilled dishes by junior chefs and cooks, ensuring consistency in taste, texture, and quality. Ensure freshness and quality of meats, vegetables, marinades, and other ingredients received from suppliers. Monitor cooking temperatures and techniques to ensure dishes are cooked to perfection while maintaining high standards. Train and guide junior chefs and kitchen staff in grilling techniques, food safety, and efficient kitchen operations. Maintain hygiene and safety standards, ensuring compliance with food safety regulations and kitchen cleanliness protocols.