Head Chef
An Unmissable Opportunity to Work Alongside Celebrity Chef Dipna Anand
We are looking for an ambitious and experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen at our brand-new Indian gastro pub, located in the exciting new Parkside Yards development in South London. This isnt just any head chef role this is your chance to work in partnership with renowned celebrity chef Dipna Anand, who will be leading the creative direction of this concept. Together, youll be at the forefront of a revolutionary take on modern Indian cuisine with a gastro pub twist.
The venue will blend the bold flavours of traditional and modern Indian food with the comforting classics of a British pub menu. Expect to create and innovate dishes like Chicken Tikka Arancini, Sunday Indian Roasts, Indo-Continental fusion dishes, and show-stopping biryanis all under the guidance and inspiration of Dipna herself.
Head Chef Key Responsibilities
As Head Chef, you will be fully in charge of the kitchen operation, including both the gastro pub and our onsite production kitchen, which supports large-scale catering and events. Your main duties will include:
Kitchen Leadership & Brigade Management
* Lead, train, and inspire the kitchen brigade to consistently deliver high standards of food quality and presentation.
* Maintain a motivated team, fostering a positive kitchen culture focused on creativity, consistency, and collaboration.
* Manage rotas, staff scheduling, and cover planning to ensure efficient operation throughout the week.
* Recruit, onboard and develop kitchen staff in line with business needs.
Menu Development & Innovation
* Work closely with Chef Dipna Anand to develop and refine the main menu, specials, and seasonal offerings.
* Contribute your own creative flair by designing weekly and monthly specials, showcasing modern Indian, Indo-fusion, and continental flavours.
* Ensure all menu items are accurately costed, tested, and standardised with clear recipe specifications and plating guidelines.
Production Kitchen Oversight
* Manage and oversee a busy production kitchen that caters for large-scale events, corporate orders, and Compass Group operations.
* Organise workflow, production schedules, and food list planning to meet the demands of volume catering without compromising on quality.
* Ensure timely execution and delivery of all production orders, maintaining taste and consistency at scale.
Operational & Administrative Duties
* Monitor and maintain stock levels, conduct weekly stock takes, manage suppliers and ordering schedules.
* Maintain food cost control, minimise wastage, and work within pre-agreed GP margins.
* Create and maintain detailed food specs, recipe cards, and allergen sheets in line with company and legal requirements.
* Manage kitchen budget, working closely with management on food spend and revenue targets.
Food Safety & Hygiene
* Ensure the kitchen operates to 5-star hygiene standards at all times.
* Uphold and enforce all food safety, HACCP, allergen, and COSHH regulations.
* Maintain impeccable cleaning schedules and records across both the gastro kitchen and the production unit.
* Lead by example in maintaining a clean, organised, and compliant kitchen environment.
Plating & Presentation
* Oversee plating techniques and final dish presentation to ensure consistent and visually appealing food leaves the pass every time.
* Train junior chefs and kitchen team on plating styles, taste checks, and finishing touches.
Head Chef Candidate Profile What Were Looking For
* A passionate, creative, and organised chef with a proven track record of running successful kitchens.
* Minimum 5 years experience in a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef role.
* Expert in Indian cuisine, with solid grounding in both regional classics and modern Indian cookery techniques.
* Experience in continental and gastro-style cuisine, ideally within a fusion or modern dining setting.
* Proven experience managing a high-volume kitchen, including overseeing a production/catering unit.
* Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage a team, motivate staff, and maintain a positive work culture.
* Up-to-date knowledge of food hygiene regulations, allergen handling, and kitchen health & safety protocols.
* Confident in stock control, budgeting, recipe creation, menu planning, and supplier management.
Why Join Us?
* Be mentored by Chef Dipna Anand, one of the UKs leading voices in Indian cuisine.
* Play a foundational role in a new, high-profile venue in a thriving development.
* Collaborate on exciting food concepts blending Indian and British cuisines in fresh and innovative ways.
* Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for growth and creativity.
* Work in a state-of-the-art kitchen facility, including a production kitchen with large-scale catering opportunities.
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