Maidenhead | Up to £35,000 + Tronc | £43-44k OTE | Head Chef Progression
LJ Recruitment is supporting a luxury Spanish restaurant in Maidenhead in the appointment of an ambitious and talented Sous Chef, with a genuine opportunity to progress to Head Chef within 6-12 months for the right person.
This is an exciting opportunity for a chef with fine dining, high-end restaurant or luxury hospitality experience who is ready to take the next step in their career and prove themselves at Head Chef level.
The restaurant offers modern Spanish cuisine in a stylish and vibrant setting, with a tapas-led menu focused on quality ingredients, flavour, presentation and consistency. With the ability to serve up to 450 covers on busy days, this is a high-volume operation requiring strong organisation, technical ability and confident leadership.
Spanish cuisine experience is desirable but not essential. The restaurant is open to chefs from fine dining, modern European, Mediterranean and other high-end backgrounds who have excellent culinary standards and a genuine interest in developing their knowledge of Spanish cuisine.
Head Chef Progression - 6-12 Months
This role offers a clear progression pathway for an ambitious chef.
For the right person, there is an opportunity to move into the Head Chef position within 6-12 months, subject to performance, leadership ability and demonstrating the required standards.
You will work closely with the current Head Chef and gain valuable experience across kitchen leadership, menu development, food cost, stock control, ordering, team management and service operations.
The Role
Support the Head Chef with the day-to-day running of the kitchen
Lead and motivate a brigade of 5-6 chefs
Take responsibility for the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence
Maintain exceptional standards of food quality, presentation and consistency
Assist with menu development and seasonal dishes
Manage preparation, service and kitchen organisation
Support stock control, ordering and supplier management
Maintain excellent food hygiene, HACCP and health & safety standards
Ensure efficient service during high-volume periods of up to 450 covers
Coach and develop junior members of the brigade
Take increasing responsibility with a view to progressing to Head Chef within 6-12 months
About You
We're looking for a chef with high standards, ambition and genuine leadership potential.
You will ideally have:
Experience within fine dining, high-end restaurants, luxury hotels or premium hospitality
Strong culinary foundations and excellent technical ability
A genuine passion for ingredients, flavour and presentation
Experience leading a kitchen brigade during demanding services
A calm, organised and professional approach under pressure
Strong communication and team leadership skills
A hands-on approach and the ability to lead by example
The ambition and ability to progress into a Head Chef positionSpanish or tapas experience would be advantageous but is not essential.
What matters most is your level of cooking, your standards, your leadership ability and your ambition to progress.
What You'll Receive
Up to £35,000 basic salary
£43,000-£44,000 OTE including Tronc
Clear progression to Head Chef within 6-12 months for the right person
Accommodation assistance available
Five straight shifts per week, on a rota basis
Opportunity to contribute to menu development and culinary direction
Career progression within a growing restaurant group
Opportunity to grow with a group currently operating two established sites, with a third opening next year
The Opportunity
This isn't simply another Sous Chef position. It's an opportunity for an ambitious chef to join a quality-driven restaurant and work towards their first Head Chef position within a defined 6-12 month timeframe.
If you've built your career in fine dining, Michelin, Rosette, luxury hotels or high-end independent restaurants and you're ready to take the next step, we'd love to hear from you.
You don't necessarily need Spanish experience. You need high standards, strong technical ability, leadership potential and the ambition to become a Head Chef.
Apply now for a confidential conversation with LJ Recruitment and take the next step in your culinary career
Salary description
£35000.00 - £45000.00 per year