Job Description
HEAD CHEF
40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Weekday and weekend overtime (paid), as required
Based in Central London, Big Sky is made up of 14 studios over 4 sites. Offering in-house and location catering (from our airstream) for breakfast, lunch and events, we are now looking to grow the team as we develop and evolve as a business. With a view to expand our current offerings, we are excited to bring on board a passionate new Head Chef with a strong catering background. The right candidate will be an experienced leader and team player, systems proficient, detail oriented and creative. Pride and passion are fundamental in this role, with a positive, “can do'' attitude when collaborating with and supporting our colleagues and the business to success. Strong health and safety and food hygiene practices are essential, enforcing detailed task lists and processes daily as outlined by the Executive Chef and Big Sky Studios.
The Big Sky Head Chef will uphold the culinary vision of the business, with an eye for quality, taste and presentation. We encourage creative input in the menu design and execution from all our senior team and expect all output to maintain our impeccable Big Sky standards.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Day-to-day operation and leadership of shift and service, from open to close, with the support of the Sous Chef, under advisement of the Executive Chef.
• Delegation of tasks to the kitchen staff to ensure success in service, guiding and supporting the team.
• Lead in the management of food standards and quality across all areas during all stages of food preparation and production.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef in creating and designing new menus, including dish development and preparation of supporting paperwork (recipes, specs & costings).
• Ensure that all dishes are prepared, cooked and served to the highest standard at all times in line with menu specifications and prep sheets.
• Ensure that kitchen set-up and clear-down procedures are followed on a daily basis, signing off relevant task lists.
• Ensure the kitchen and team are compliant, clean and safe, in accordance with all company & statutory regulations relating to health & safety, food hygiene, working practices, cleanliness, fire, COSHH and HACCP.
• Ensure minimum wastage occurs within the kitchen, implementing ideas for reducing wastage wherever possible.
• Carry out monthly stock takes, inputting data into Kafoodle for review by Executive Chef and Head of Finance.
• Closely monitor and manage portions, stock and ordering, taking ownership of the GP management to achieve a 65-68% weekly target.
• Communicate well, working with the team to promote harmonious working relationships in the Big Sky Kitchen Team and wider business.
• Lead training and development of Sous, CDPs, Commis Chefs and Kitchen Porters, with the guidance and support of line manager.
• Participate in all necessary training and team meetings as required to complete job responsibilities to the company & regulation standards.
• Assist the Executive Chef in team scheduling in accordance with occupancy and service times.
• Fully deputise and take responsibility in the absence of the Executive Chef.
• Whilst primarily based at Big Sky Studios, as Head you must be flexible with hours, shifts and location, as the business needs (any changes to standard working week pattern would be agreed a minimum of 48 hours in advance).