Head Chef, London

HEAD CHEF – PREMIUM FOOD PRODUCTION KITCHEN

Sydenham, South East London

£50,000–£55,000

45 hours per week | Mostly Monday–Friday | Daytime hours

Lead a High Growth Premium Food Kitchen

An exciting opportunity has opened for an experienced Head Chef to lead operations in a fast-growing premium food production kitchen based in South East London.

This is not a traditional restaurant role.

You will be joining an ambitious food business creating high-quality products for restaurants and hospitality clients, including:

• Premium sauces
• Starters
• Prepared vegetable products
• Tailored menu components
• Tailored food solutions

Working directly with an industry-leading founder and Michelin-star trained chef, you will play a key role in scaling a rapidly growing division with strong long-term progression opportunities.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the daily running of the kitchen and lead a team of 6.

You will be responsible for making sure all products are produced to an exceptional standard, delivered on time, and organised efficiently in a high-volume environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading day-to-day kitchen operations
• Managing production schedules and workflow
• Team leadership, rotas and training
• Ordering, stock management and waste control
• Maintaining premium food quality and consistency
• Improving systems, organisation and kitchen processes
• Supporting sampling and new product development

About you

You are a strong operational chef who combines high culinary standards with excellent organisation.

You enjoy building structure, leading teams, and taking real ownership.

You will likely have experience as a:

• Head Chef
• Production Head Chef
• Sous Chef
• Central Kitchen Manager
• Development Chef
• Catering Head Chef
• Food Production Manager (fine dining)

You must have:

• Strong chef background with restaurant experience
• Exposure to fine dining or premium food standards
• Experience in production, prep or catering kitchens
• High-volume food operation experience
• Leadership experience managing teams
• Excellent organisation and forward planning
• Hands-on, no-ego attitude

Ideal Personality

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised
• Detail-focused
• Calm under pressure
• Solutions-driven
• Flexible and adaptable
• Team-oriented
• Proud of their work

This role suits someone who takes ownership, solves problems proactively, and wants to help build something special.

Why Join?

• Join an exciting high-growth food concept at an early stage
• Work directly with a Michelin-level culinary leader
• Real autonomy and influence over kitchen operations
• Daytime hours
• Predominantly Monday–Friday schedule
• Strong progression opportunities as the business grows
• Opportunity to shape systems, culture, and standards from the ground up