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