Tottenham
Location: Soul Mama Islington, London (with future opportunities across expanding sites) Reports To: Assistant Venue Manager/ Chief of Staff Employment Type: Full-time About Soul Mama: At Soul Mama, we are all about bringing soulful experiences to life through exceptional food, world-class live music and vibrant culture. Our mission is simple: to create unforgettable experiences that nourish both the body and soul. As one of Londons fastest growing live music venue and restaurant brands, we pride ourselves on creating high-energy spaces where music, community and hospitality come together. Our food celebrates bold flavours inspired by African, Caribbean and South American cuisines, creating a dining experience that sits at the heart of everything Soul Mama represents. We are looking for an experienced, creative and commercially focused Head Chef to lead our kitchen team, drive operational excellence and deliver a dining experience that reflects the energy, passion and soul of our brand. Job Overview The Head Chef is responsible for leading all kitchen operations at Soul Mama, ensuring exceptional food quality, strong financial control, effective team leadership and full compliance across the department. This role combines creativity with operational discipline, requiring someone who can deliver exciting and consistent food experiences while maintaining profitability, structure and high-performing kitchen standards. As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the kitchens success, leading your team through strong communication, accountability and development while ensuring every dish reflects the Soul Mama experience. Key Responsibilities Kitchen Operations & Service Management Take full ownership of the daily operation and performance of the kitchen. Ensure smooth delivery of food service across restaurant dining, live events, brunches and private functions. Maintain exceptional standards of taste, presentation, quality and consistency. Ensure all kitchen sections operate efficiently including preparation, production, service and the pass. Create clear kitchen structures, systems and standards that support operational excellence. Identify and resolve operational challenges quickly and effectively. Maintain a clean, organised and professional kitchen environment at all times. Menu Development & Culinary Standards Create and develop dishes that reflect Soul Mamas creative and soulful brand identity. Maintain consistent recipes, specifications, portion guides and presentation standards. Complete recipe costing and ensure all dishes achieve agreed financial targets. Regularly review menus based on guest feedback, sales performance and profitability. Develop seasonal menus, specials, brunch offerings and event-specific menus. Collaborate with events and management teams on bespoke dining experiences. Maintain creativity while balancing consistency, practicality and commercial success. Financial Management, GP & Cost Control Take responsibility for achieving agreed kitchen financial targets. Monitor and maintain food GP through effective purchasing, portion control and waste management. Review supplier costs and respond to price changes appropriately. Complete stock takes and investigate stock variances. Implement controls to minimise waste and maximise profitability. Support forecasting, budgeting and financial planning for the kitchen department. Provide regular reporting on stock, waste, GP performance and operational improvements. Stock Management & Supplier Relationships Manage ordering processes to ensure appropriate stock levels based on business needs. Maintain strong relationships with approved suppliers. Ensure deliveries meet quality, quantity and pricing expectations. Review supplier performance and identify improvement opportunities. Support sustainable and responsible sourcing where possible. Ensure correct storage, labelling and FIFO stock rotation procedures are followed. Address shortages, supplier issues and product concerns promptly. Team Leadership, Training & Development Lead, inspire and develop the full kitchen team. Create a positive, professional and accountable kitchen culture. Manage performance, standards and behaviours across the department. Support recruitment, onboarding and training of new kitchen employees. Conduct regular coaching, feedback and development conversations. Identify and mentor future leaders within the kitchen team. Ensure Sous Chefs, Chef de Parties, Commis Chefs and Kitchen Porters are supported and performing effectively. Address conduct or performance concerns in line with company procedures. Labour Management & Scheduling Manage kitchen rotas in line with business needs and labour budgets. Ensure effective staffing levels across preparation, service and events. Monitor attendance, timekeeping and overtime requirements. Ensure working hours comply with company policy and Working Time Regulations. Plan labour effectively around sales forecasts, events and operational requirements. Food Safety, Hygiene & Compliance Ensure full compliance with UK food safety legislation, HACCP and EHO standards. Maintain Safer Food Better Business requirements and documentation. Ensure temperature checks, cleaning schedules, allergen records and compliance paperwork are completed accurately. Maintain an audit-ready kitchen at all times. Ensure all team members understand and follow food safety procedures. Oversee safe use, cleanliness and maintenance of kitchen equipment. Report and resolve health and safety concerns promptly. Communication & Business Collaboration Work closely with the General Manager, Operations Team and wider leadership team. Maintain strong communication between kitchen and front of house departments. Attend management meetings and provide kitchen updates. Collaborate with events, marketing and management teams to support business goals. Ensure kitchen decisions align with Soul Mamas brand, financial objectives and guest experience standards. Skills & Experience Minimum 5 years experience in kitchen leadership within a high-volume restaurant, hospitality or events environment. Proven experience managing kitchen teams and developing chefs. Strong ability in menu creation, recipe development and food costing. Excellent understanding of GP management, stock control and financial performance. Strong knowledge of UK food safety, HACCP and Health & Safety requirements. Ability to build systems, improve processes and maintain standards. Strong communication and leadership skills. Ability to remain calm and solutions-focused under pressure. Passion for bold, creative and culturally inspired cuisine. Core Competencies Strong leadership and accountability Commercial and financial awareness Creativity and innovation Operational organisation Strategic problem solving Team development and coaching Communication and collaboration High attention to detail Quality and consistency focus Decision-making under pressure Compliance management Ownership mindset Right to work in the UK Desirable but not essential: Experience within live entertainment venues or high-volume restaurants Experience opening new venues or supporting business growth Knowledge of African, Caribbean and South American cuisines Experience managing multi-section kitchen operations Advanced Food Safety qualification Food Hygiene level 3 upwards Health and Safety Fire Warden training Supplier negotiation experience Why Join Soul Mama? You will be joining one of Londons most exciting cultural venues, where incredible food, live music and community come together. This is an opportunity to lead the culinary direction of a growing brand, build a talented team and create memorable dining experiences alongside world-class entertainment. At Soul Mama, we do not just serve food; we create moments. If you are passionate about leadership, creativity and building something special, we would love you to be part of the journey. TPBN1_UKCT
