Wahaca is the leading Mexican restaurant in the UK, founded by Thomasina Miers (Master chef winner) and Mark Selby. Inspired by their time in Mexico and a mission to prove to the UK just how vibrant and delicious Mexican food is, championing great British produce and sourcing ingredients locally. Wahaca remains deeply rooted in the values set by our founders. By showing pride, staying humble, choosing integrity, having fun, and thinking positively, our team serves a taste of Mexican sunshine. With an upbeat atmosphere and chef made dishes, we believe that every meal should be an adventure, every guest a friend, and every moment an opportunity to create lasting memories. We are currently looking for a Prep Chef who has great passion for working with fresh ingredients, takes pride in creating flavourful, vibrant, high quality dishes and wants to be part of a team that delivers excellent service to all our guests. How you’ll drive the success: • Demonstrate your passion for preparing freshly made dishes following our spec • Ensure smooth kitchen operations from setup to closing. • Maintain exceptional cleanliness and food safety standards. • Work alongside your team to create a lively and efficient kitchen environment. At Wahaca, we believe our team deserves the best, and here are just some of the perks we offer: FINANCIAL: - 70% off food when dining at Wahaca with up to 3 friends - £100 to celebrate your probation in Wahaca - Up to £1000 through friend referrals - Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption pay - Early access to wages, financial support and discounts through Wagestream HEALTH AND WELLBEING: - Free, nutritious meal every time you work, freshly made by our talented chefs - Cycle to work scheme - Support from our trained Mental Health First Aiders - Time off for when needed; like your child’s first day at school DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL: - Own development plan and clear career path - Our very own Masterchef and Cocktail competitions - Unwind and turn up the fun at one of our many events across the year TACOVERSARIES: 1 YEAR: £50 voucher 2 YEARS: Flight to Mexico! 5 YEARS: Sabbatical - 4 weeks paid off work! If you're inspired by what you've read and have a passion for delivering exceptional hospitality, we’d be thrilled to have you join our team! ‘Please check our Wahaca Recruitment and Staff Privacy Policy. By applying for a job with us, you acknowledge and accept this policy
About Us: We are an exciting, high-volume Mexican restaurant known for bold flavours, vibrant atmosphere, and top-tier hospitality. We are now looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team as we continue to grow and deliver exceptional dining experiences. The Role: As Head Chef, you will be responsible for managing all aspects of the kitchen, ensuring high standards of food quality, consistency, and hygiene. This is a fast-paced, high-volume environment serving up to 300 covers daily, so strong leadership, calm under pressure, and efficient organisation are essential. Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage the day-to-day kitchen operations Ensure consistency and quality across all dishes Oversee food preparation, stock control, ordering, and waste management Recruit, train, and mentor kitchen staff Maintain excellent standards of hygiene and health & safety compliance Work with the management team to develop seasonal and promotional menus Manage kitchen budgets and control food costs effectively Requirements: Minimum 3 years' experience as a Head Chef in the UK, ideally in a high-volume setting Strong background in Mexican cuisine or a proven passion for Latin American flavours Excellent leadership and team management skills Experience in managing a kitchen capable of handling 300+ covers Strong understanding of food safety and kitchen compliance standards Ability to remain calm, efficient, and positive under pressure Creativity and a commitment to quality and innovation What We Offer: Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses Opportunity to shape the menu and influence the direction of the kitchen Supportive management team and a positive working environment Career progression opportunities within a growing brand