Chef - Caffè Malling

Job Title: Chef Location: Caffe Malling
Contract: Full-time (including weekends and early/late shifts)
Salary: Competitive – commensurate with experience

About Caffe Malling: Caffe Malling is a contemporary, high‑quality café renowned for modern, stylish dishes and exceptional service.

We pride ourselves on fresh, seasonal ingredients, elegant presentation and a relaxed yet refined dining experience. We’re seeking an efficient, creative Head Chef to lead our kitchen and help raise our menu and standards to the next level.

Role Summary: The Head Chef will run the kitchen day‑to‑day, creating and delivering a modern, high‑class menu while maintaining efficiency, consistency and exceptional food quality under pressure. You will lead, train and motivate kitchen staff, manage food cost and suppliers, and ensure health & safety and hygiene standards are exemplary.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, refine and execute a modern, seasonally driven menu that reflects Caffe Malling’s style and standards.
• Lead kitchen operations, ensuring consistent high quality, portion control and presentation at all service levels.
• Manage and train kitchen team members; build a positive, disciplined, professional kitchen culture.
• Maintain strong performance during busy services; remain calm, decisive and organised under pressure.
• Oversee food ordering, stock control, inventory and waste reduction; monitor food cost and margins.
• Source and maintain relationships with suppliers; ensure ingredient quality and ethical sourcing where possible.
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene (including HACCP), allergen regulations and health & safety requirements.
• Produce clear rotas and manage staffing levels to meet business needs while controlling labour costs.
• Collaborate with front‑of‑house management to deliver a cohesive guest experience and respond to customer feedback.
• Keep up to date with culinary trends and implement modern techniques and plating styles that suit our brand.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience as Head Chef, Sous Chef or Senior Chef in a high‑volume, high‑quality café/restaurant environment.
• Strong track record of menu development, kitchen leadership and delivering consistently excellent food under pressure.
• Professional culinary qualification or equivalent experience.
• Solid knowledge of food safety, allergen management and kitchen hygiene procedures.
• Experience managing food cost, stock control and supplier relationships.
• Skills & Attributes
• Creative flair with a modern approach to menu design and presentation.
• Highly organised, efficient and able to prioritise in fast‑paced service periods.
• Strong leadership and people management skills; able to train and inspire a team.
• Excellent time management, communication and problem‑solving abilities.
• Attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards at all times.
• Flexible, reliable and customer-focused.
• Desirable
• Experience with seasonal, local sourcing and sustainable practices.
• Background in contemporary or modern European cuisine.
• Knowledge of pastry or bakery elements relevant to a café setting.
• Working Conditions
• Fast-paced kitchen environment with early starts, weekends and peak holiday periods.
• Physical role requiring standing for long periods and hands‑on involvement in service.
• What We Offer
• Competitive salary and performance-related bonuses.
• Supportive team environment with opportunities for creative input and career progression.
• Staff meals and discounts.
• Training and development opportunities.