Head Chef – 55-60k – New Opening – Flagship site

One of the best opportunities I have seen for a Head Chef to lead the flagship opening of a premium, fast-paced brand from a Michelin-starred chef, with genuine progression as the group expands.

The Role
We are seeking a Head Chef for a central London flagship.

The successful candidate will be a first-class kitchen manager, genuinely excited by a flagship opening, with energy, warmth, and enthusiasm.

The aim is to become a premium, quality-led brand with standout service.

The Site

• 80 covers, plus a 30-cover dessert and cocktail room.
• Expected to trade at £75k-£80k per week initially, targeting £100k once established.
• Forecast approximately 3,500-4,000 guests per week.
• Kitchen team of roughly 20 chefs.

The Brand

• Premium, quality-led, high-volume site in a high-footfall area.
• The best suppliers in town.
• High-quality production kitchen.
• Major expansion in the group – they are the next brand to take off.
• Genuine progression opportunities.

The Head Chef Role

• Lead the flagship opening.
• First-class kitchen management – rotas, stock, ordering, par levels, recruitment, training, HR processes, team motivation, and service standards.
• Lead a high-volume, fast-paced kitchen with potentially very large cover counts.
• Maintain quality and consistency.
• Build systems, solve gaps, and work without every process already in place.
• Manage kitchen P&L – food costs, labour, waste, stock, GP margins.
• Maintain full compliance – EHO, HACCP, Health and Safety.

The Ideal Head Chef

• Genuinely excited by a flagship opening – energy, warmth, enthusiasm, not just a strong CV.
• A first-class kitchen manager with strong operational and financial acumen.
• Comfortable leading high-volume, fast-paced kitchens with large cover counts.
• Values quality and consistency.
• A start-up mindset – comfortable building systems and solving gaps.

Why Apply

• Target package £50k-£58k all-in, potentially stretching to £60k-£65k for an outstanding candidate.
• 48-hour contract currently.
• Major expansion opportunity with genuine progression.

How to Apply
If you are a high-volume people leader ready to help build a premium food brand, please send your CV to Olly at COREcruitment dot com.

02075395579