Head Chef 50-52k
New Opening – Italian American – Small Plates Bar
An exciting opportunity for a Sous Chef ready to step up, or an experienced Head Chef, to lead a new bar food kitchen in Borough Market, working alongside an award-winning chef founder.
The Role
We are seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a new Italian-American bar and small plates concept launching in Borough Market. This is a hands-on role, running a small, focused kitchen in a 50-70 cover venue. You will own the bar kitchen, delivering quick-fire, high-quality bar food, while also supporting some production. The menu is set for opening, but there is genuine scope for creative input and development as the business grows.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and run the bar kitchen operation, delivering a top menu of small plates and bar food.
- Manage daily kitchen operations, including stock control, ordering, and food safety.
- Lead, motivate, and develop a small brigade of 6 chefs (including a Senior CDP, 2-3 CDPs, and KPs).
- Support other award wining sites in the group with high end restaurant production.
- Work closely with the founder and executive chef to deliver knock-out menus.
- Contribute to menu development and dish creation within the concept structure.
The Ideal Candidate
- A Sous Chef looking for their first Head Chef role, or an experienced Head Chef.
- Background in small plates / quick-fire restaurant environments
- Michelin Bib Gourmand-level experience is desirable but not essential.
- Comfortable with high -level prep and production kitchen work.
- Used to high standards but not overly fine-dining-focused.
- Good understanding of Italian-American or Mediterranean-style food.
- Hands-on, enthusiastic, and ready to own a kitchen.
- Someone who wants to be part of a growing business and scale with it.
Why Apply
- New opening – be part of something from the ground up.
- Work alongside an experienced Michelin-starred chef founder.
- Opportunity to own a kitchen and develop the food offering.
- Small, tight-knit team with autonomy and responsibility.
- Part of a growing business with room to scale.
- Sunday & Monday closed – excellent work-life balance.
The Offer
- Salary of £50,000 – £55,000 all-in (base + tronc).
- 50 hours per week (flexible for new opening).
- Potential 4 days on / 3 days off pattern.
How to Apply
If you are ready to step up and own a new kitchen concept, please send your CV to Olly at COREcruitment dot com
