East 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.
