Head Chef - French Restaurant | Central London

£55,000-£65,000 + Bonus | 45 Hours |

We are recruiting on behalf of a popular French restaurant in Central London for an experienced Head Chef to lead a busy, high-quality kitchen operation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate French cuisine chef looking for a senior kitchen leadership role with a genuine 45-hour working week and excellent work-life balance.

The restaurant focuses on fresh, seasonal produce and high-quality French cuisine, with a busy operation and strong reputation.

The Role - Head Chef

As Head Chef, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day kitchen operation, leading the brigade and ensuring exceptional standards across food quality, service, hygiene and kitchen performance.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, managing and developing the kitchen brigade
• Maintaining consistently high standards of food quality and presentation
• Developing menus and seasonal dishes
• Managing suppliers, purchasing, stock and deliveries
• Controlling food costs, GP, wastage and kitchen budgets
• Ensuring full compliance with HACCP, food safety and health & safety
• Maintaining excellent kitchen hygiene and operational standards
• Training and developing junior chefs
• Managing busy services while maintaining quality and consistency
• Working closely with the restaurant management team to drive the overall success of the operation

About You

We are looking for an experienced Head Chef, Executive Sous Chef or Senior Sous Chef with a strong background in French cuisine.

Ideally, you will have classical French culinary training and a strong understanding of traditional French techniques, combined with experience working within a busy, quality-focused restaurant environment.

You will also have:

• Strong leadership and team management skills
• Proven experience leading a busy kitchen brigade
• Excellent knowledge of French cuisine and classical cooking techniques
• Strong HACCP, food safety and health & safety knowledge
• Experience managing suppliers, purchasing and stock control
• Proven menu development experience
• Good understanding of food costs, GP and kitchen profitability
• A hands-on, organised and professional approach
• Passion for fresh produce and consistently high-quality food

Salary & Benefits

• £55,000-£65,000 salary depending on experience
• Bonus
• 45 hours per week
• Excellent work-life balance
• Central London location
• Opportunity to lead a busy and well-established French restaurant
• Fresh, seasonal produce and a strong culinary focus

Apply Now

If you're an experienced Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef with classical French training, strong leadership skills and a passion for quality French cuisine, this could be an excellent next step in your career.

Right to work in the UK is essential.