68 Best head chef Jobs in Orpington (November 2026)

We are a family-run restaurant that has been operating for over 30 years. Our menu is simple and classic, combining traditional Italian dishes with some influences to suit English tastes. The kitchen is divided into four sections: meat, fish, pasta and starters, so there will normally be four chefs working together each day. The working week is Tuesday to Saturday. Every day we have four chefs in the kitchen, plus two kitchen porters, one focused on pots and pans and one on dishes who also helps the chefs with some preparation work. During the week we serve around 60–80 customers between Tuesday and Thursday. Friday and Saturday are our busiest times, averages between 120–140 customers. The atmosphere in the kitchen is very important to us. We work with experienced people, maintain good teamwork, and try to create a positive working environment. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Carmelo

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SMOQUE Health Kitchen & Coffee Lounge

Locksbottom, Orpington

We are an independent health-focused kitchen and coffee lounge, passionate about creating fresh, nutritious food without compromising on flavour or presentation. Our menu focuses on breakfast, brunch and healthy, wholesome dishes made with quality ingredients. We’re looking for a chef who is confident, organised and genuinely passionate about food, with a strong understanding of kitchen operations and food hygiene. You’ll be responsible for preparing and cooking dishes to a consistently high standard, maintaining excellent food presentation, managing prep and stock, keeping the kitchen clean and organised, and working closely with the team during busy services. We’d particularly love someone who enjoys creativity and menu development. As a growing independent business, there is opportunity for the right chef to bring ideas to the table, help develop new dishes and play an important role in shaping our evolving menu.

**Head Pizza Chef – The Tiger, Camberwell - Fresh Pizza | Independent London Pub | Urban Pubs & Bars ** The Tiger is a proper South London pub sitting right in the heart of Camberwell. A lively neighbourhood favourite with bags of character, it's a place built around great food, good drinks and the kind of atmosphere that keeps people coming back. From after-work drinks and laid-back lunches to packed-out weekends and late nights, The Tiger is a pub that knows how to have a good time – and food is a big part of what we do. We're now looking for a talented Head Pizza Chef to take ownership of our pizza kitchen and help us deliver seriously good, freshly made pizzas. We're part of Urban Pubs & Bars, one of London's fastest-growing independent hospitality groups, and we're looking for someone who knows their dough, loves great ingredients and wants to put their stamp on the food offer at one of Camberwell's best-loved pubs. THE ROLE This is a hands-on role for a Head Pizza Chef who is passionate about pizza and takes real pride in what leaves the kitchen. You'll be leading the pizza operation day-to-day, making sure the dough is right, the prep is organised and every pizza leaving the pass is consistently brilliant. You'll be responsible for: • Preparing and working with fresh pizza dough, • Dough fermentation, stretching and shaping, • Delivering consistently excellent pizzas during busy services, • Leading, training and developing the kitchen team, • Maintaining quality, presentation and consistency, • Managing prep levels, ordering and stock, • Controlling food costs and minimising wastage, • Maintaining excellent food hygiene and kitchen standards, • Working closely with the General Manager and wider team, • Bringing ideas and creativity to the pizza menu WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR We're looking for an experienced Pizza Chef, Senior Pizza Chef or Head Pizza Chef who is confident working with fresh dough and understands what makes a genuinely great pizza. You'll be organised, passionate about fresh food and comfortable working at pace. You'll know how to keep standards high when the orders start flying in and you'll enjoy developing the people around you. Most importantly, you'll care about the details – from the dough and ingredients through to the final pizza hitting the table. You'll ideally have: • Strong experience working with fresh pizza dough, • A good understanding of dough preparation and fermentation, • Experience working in a busy, high-volume kitchen, • A passion for fresh, quality ingredients, • Strong organisation and leadership skills, • Experience with stock, ordering and food-cost management, • Excellent food hygiene standards, • The ability to train and develop junior chefs, • A positive, hands-on approach to running a kitchen WHY URBAN PUBS & BARS? We're a 100% fresh food business and we're serious about the quality of what comes out of our kitchens. Urban Pubs & Bars is one of London's fastest-growing independent pub, bar and restaurant groups, with an ever-growing collection of brilliant venues across the capital. We were also recognised at the 2026 Publican Awards for Best Food Offer across an estate of 50+ sites, and we're continuing to invest in our kitchens, our food and – most importantly – our people. We don't believe in cookie-cutter pubs. Every venue has its own personality and its own local following, and we give our chefs the opportunity to make a genuine impact. WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? • Competitive salary, • Tronc and service charge, • 30% staff discount across Urban Pubs & Bars, • Career development and progression, • Training and development opportunities, • Supplier trips and experiences, • Refer-a-friend rewards, • Company-wide parties and events, • The opportunity to grow with one of London's most exciting hospitality groups If you know your dough, love great pizza and want to take the lead in a busy South London kitchen, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and join us at The Tiger, Camberwell.

Sous Chef - 100% Fresh food business - London We are looking for an outstanding and talented Sous Chef to join our the team. The Rose is the perfect spot for great drinks, delicious seasonal food and absolutely the finest pizza in South East London. A visit to our awesome beer garden is a New Cross right of passage and inside our beautiful pub is the perfect place to meet up with friends and family for drinks, a bite, or both. We also boast 2 private hire rooms perfect for your next party. Our chefs work with some great producers and suppliers to create our ever-changing, seasonal food menu and we pride ourselves on our mouth-watering Sunday roasts and awesome stone fired pizzas. So whether you are stopping by for a few pints of our great draught beers, a fantastic meal with a glass of one of our lovely wines or an evening enjoying the best cocktails in New Cross, we guarantee a warm welcome and an abundance of good vibes, 7 days a week. This amazing opportunity is ideal for someone who loves working with fresh premium and seasonal products and preferably experience within gastro pubs; loves working in a busy kitchen; understands and delivers a perfect service with or without the Head Chef present; can lead the kitchen team to success consistently and is excited by innovation and change to secure outstanding results for the business. You Are: • Able to take responsibility for our kitchen team in absence of the Head Chef to ensure service, safety and security expectations are all met to the the highest of standards, • Passionate about training our team to ensure they have the knowledge needed to excite our customers and deliver outstanding food, • Able to work with the Head Chef to train and uphold the agreed standards, • Able to assist the General Manager and Head Chef in identifying potential opportunities and products to maximise sales and enhance the customer experience, • Able to prepare and present all our food dishes to an outstanding standard of presentation as appropriate for the day of the week and time of day, • Able to support the Head Chef in the development, implementation and review of the menu to maximise sales in line with pub vision and business plan What's in it for me: • Competitive salary + bonus, • Be part of a brand new opening, • Training and development, • Career progression and promotion opportunities with regular new openings around the corner, • Get out and about, you automatically get discounts across all our pubs, bars and restaurants, • Team trips, regular incentives and socials – a fun, family atmosphere, • Goes without saying, but we'll feed you during your shift, • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support you across those tough times, • Good people know good people - an awesome referral scheme where you can earn up to £1000 per successful referral, • Birthdays are for celebrating, so have the day off on us, • Cycle to work scheme Interested in hearing more? Get in touch so we can schedule a show around, rub some shoulders together, have a laugh and make some magic! Welcome to London's biggest independent pub company ! Urban Pubs & Bars was founded in 2014 and has since expanded to an estate of over 67 pubs, bars and restaurants across London. In 2018, Urban Pubs & Bars was ranked number 28 in the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list, recognising Britain's private companies with the fastest-growing sales. We were then nominated for 2 Publican Awards in 2020, winning the award for 'Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites' on the night. In 2021, Urban was awarded 'Best Food-led Pub Company 2021' at the R200 awards, Urban once again won 'Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites' in 2023 and most recently won 'Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites' and Best food offering in 2026 and In 2025 & 2026 we were recognised by Sunday Times in the Top 100 Companies to work for.

Food Preparation and Cooking • Prepare and cook dishes according to Limoncello’s recipes and presentation standards., • Set up and organise the assigned section before service., • Prepare ingredients, sauces, garnishes and mise en place., • Follow portion sizes and minimise food waste., • Ensure all dishes are served on time and at the correct temperature. 2. Running the Kitchen Section • Take responsibility for the assigned section throughout service., • Keep the section fully stocked and organised., • Monitor orders and communicate clearly with other chefs., • Maintain consistent quality during busy periods., • Inform the senior chef promptly about shortages, delays or equipment problems. 3. Food Safety and Hygiene • Follow food safety, allergen and cross-contamination procedures., • Check and record food temperatures as required., • Label, date and store food correctly., • Follow cleaning schedules and keep the work area hygienic., • Use knives, fryers, ovens and other equipment safely. 4. Teamwork and Support • Help other sections when your own section is under control., • Assist with pot washing, cleaning and kitchen closing duties when required., • Follow reasonable instructions from the Head Chef or Sous Chef., • Treat colleagues respectfully and communicate professionally. 5. Stock and Waste Control • Check stock levels and report items that need replenishing., • Rotate stock using FIFO (first in, first out)., • Follow portion control and reduce unnecessary waste., • Report spoiled or out-of-date food and record waste as required. 6. Opening and Closing Duties • Complete section preparation before service., • Clean and sanitise the section at the end of service., • Store and label remaining food correctly., • Switch off equipment where appropriate and safe., • Complete the assigned closing checklist before leaving. 7. Accountability • Take ownership of the assigned section., • Complete duties without needing repeated reminders., • Follow the kitchen rota and agreed working hours., • Report problems rather than leaving tasks unfinished., • Maintain Limoncello’s standards for food quality, cleanliness and teamwork.

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Yammas Greek Mediterranean Kitchen

Yammas in Beckenham is looking for an experienced Chef to join our kitchen team. We are looking for someone reliable, professional and passionate about food, with experience working in a busy restaurant kitchen. Duties include: Preparing and cooking dishes to a high standard Maintaining quality and presentation Keeping your section clean and organised Following food hygiene and safety standards Supporting the Head Chef and kitchen team during service Requirements: Previous kitchen experience required Reliable and punctual Able to work evenings and weekends Good teamwork and communication skills Passion for food and hospitality To apply, please send your CV or contact us directly.

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Casa Rebecca

Pasta Chef Italian Food

Casa Rebecca in Beckenham high street, ( 25 minutes by train from Victoria station, 25 minutes by train from Charing Cross) Is looking for pasta chef with experience, and passion for Italian food. You will support the Head Chef, and help lead a busy high quality service

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