Head Chef

HEAD CHEF KIEZ
Notting Hill | Full-time | Immediate start
Kiez is a Berlin-inspired neighbourhood restaurant in Notting Hill, built around a tight kebab-led menu, curated cocktails, German and Austrian natural wines, and a world-class sound systemall within a seriously design-led space.
At 35 covers plus a terrace, Kiez is a small restaurant with big personality and ambitious plans. We are now looking for a creative and driven Head Chef to take full ownership of the kitchen and help shape the next chapter of Kiez.
We want a Head Chef with ideas, energy and a strong culinary point of view. Someone who cares equally about the food, the team and the way the kitchen operates, and who can thoughtfully develop Kiezs offering as the restaurant continues to grow.
THE ROLE
You will take overall responsibility for the kitchen, combining hands-on leadership with creative, operational and commercial ownership.
You will:
Set and develop the culinary direction of Kiez while respecting its established identity
Evolve our kebab-led menu through thoughtful seasonal dishes, specials and new ideas
Bring creativity, curiosity and a clear point of view to menu development
Explore ingredients, techniques and cultural influences that can strengthen the food offering
Develop dishes that are exciting, commercially viable and practical to execute consistently
Maintain excellent standards of food quality, presentation and speed of service
Lead from the front during busy services, remaining calm, organised and accountable
Recruit, train, motivate and retain a skilled and reliable kitchen team
Create a positive, disciplined kitchen culture with clear standards and expectations
Develop team members through regular training, feedback and progression
Take ownership of food GP, kitchen labour, purchasing, stock control, waste and portion management
Produce accurate rotas that reflect forecast sales and agreed labour targets
Manage ordering, supplier relationships, stock counts and inventory systems
Establish and maintain clear recipes, specifications, prep systems and kitchen procedures
Ensure the kitchen is consistently clean, organised and service-ready
Maintain excellent standards of food safety, allergen management, health and safety, and due diligence
Work closely with the General Manager and directors on budgets, business performance and the wider direction of Kiez
Contribute ideas for special menus, collaborations, takeovers and events
Represent Kiez at selected food festivals, pop-ups, guest-chef events and industry occasions
Build positive relationships with chefs, suppliers, producers and other creative operators
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for a talented and ambitious chef who can balance creativity, team leadership and commercial performance.
You will ideally have:
Previous experience as a Head Chef, or be an exceptional Senior Sous Chef ready to take full ownership of a kitchen
Experience in a high-quality, high-volume restaurant working with fresh ingredients
A background in Middle Eastern, Turkish, Eastern Mediterranean, grill or live-fire cooking is highly desirable
A genuine interest in developing food and contributing your own ideas
Strong knowledge of food costing, GP management, labour control, purchasing and stock management
Proven experience recruiting, training and developing a kitchen team
Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to consistency
Strong food safety, allergen and health and safety knowledge
The ability to introduce effective systems and hold the team accountable to them
A calm, direct and respectful communication style
A hands-on approach and the confidence to lead busy services
Creativity balanced with commercial awareness and respect for Kiezs identity
The right to work in the UK
WHAT YOULL GET IN RETURN
A competitive £70-£75k package, depending on experience Genuine creative ownership and the opportunity to shape Kiezs culinary direction A central role in the continued growth and development of the restaurant The opportunity to recruit and build a kitchen team that reflects your standards Generous staff discount and a full CODE membership for dining discounts Opportunities to represent Kiez through collaborations, pop-ups and food events A distinctive, independent restaurant where good ideas can become part of the business
This is a role for a chef who wants meaningful ownership of both the food and the kitchen. You will have the opportunity to build a strong team, develop Kiezs food identity and play an important part in what the restaurant becomes next.

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