South Croydon
About Us:
We are an independently owned family cafe that prides itself on offering a luxury dining experience with high-quality ingredients and exceptional service. Our menu features a diverse range of dishes, from classic full English breakfasts with sourdough bread to fresh, flavorful salmon poke bowls. We aim to create a warm, welcoming environment for our guests while delivering top-tier food prepared with care and expertise. Job Description: We are looking for a talented, passionate, and self-motivated Head Chef to manage and run our small kitchen. As the sole chef in the kitchen, you will be responsible for preparing and cooking all breakfast and lunch offerings, ensuring the highest standards of quality, presentation, and flavor. You will work directly with the owners, playing a key role in maintaining the restaurant’s reputation for excellence. The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the ability to handle the demands of a small but busy kitchen. You will also have the opportunity to help shape and evolve the menu, bringing new ideas to our luxury cafe concept. Key Responsibilities:
• Plan, prep, cook, and plate all breakfast and lunch dishes with precision and creativity.
• Maintain the highest level of food quality and consistency, ensuring every dish meets our luxury standards.
• Manage the kitchen’s inventory and ordering to ensure all ingredients are fresh and of the highest quality.
• Ensure proper food safety and sanitation standards are followed at all times.
• Work closely with the owners to align on menu ideas, seasonal specials, and operational improvements.
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen, ensuring efficient operation.
• Be proactive in resolving any kitchen-related issues or challenges quickly and effectively. Requirements:
• Proven experience as a Chef, preferably in a small kitchen or independently owned restaurant.
• Ability to work independently and take full ownership of the kitchen.
• Strong knowledge of preparing and presenting high-quality dishes, with a focus on breakfast and lunch.
• Passionate about high-end ingredients, creativity in food preparation, and delivering a luxury dining experience.
• Excellent time-management skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Solid understanding of food safety, hygiene regulations, and kitchen best practices.
• Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision and take pride in the success of the cafe. Preferred:
• Experience in running a small kitchen on your own or in a similar setting.
• Familiarity with managing kitchen inventory and ordering supplies.
• A background in fine dining or luxury cafe environments is a plus. What We Offer:
• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• The opportunity to work in a family-run, supportive, and passionate environment.
• Full creative freedom to innovate and influence the menu.
• Direct communication and collaboration with the cafe owners. If you are a skilled, self-driven chef with a passion for fine dining, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and be part of an exciting, growing family cafe that values quality, creativity, and the art of cooking.
