Head Chef – Daytime Brunch Cafe – Leeds – 40,000

Lead a busy, daytime-only brunch cafe in Leeds. Fresh, high-quality food inspired by Australian cafe culture. Part of a growing group with 10+ sites planned over the next year.

We are partnering with a Cafe Bar, a beloved brunch spot inspired by Melbourne's cafe culture, to find a Head Chef for their Leeds site. With a focus on fresh food, great coffee, and warm service, this is a fantastic opportunity to lead a kitchen in a growing, people-focused business.

The Restaurant:

• Concept: Daytime brunch cafe – fresh, high-quality food, Melbourne-inspired
• Capacity: 70 seats
• Covers: Up to 250 covers per day on busy days (8am-2pm is peak)
• Weekly food sales: £20,000
• Hours: 7:30am-4pm weekdays, 8am-6pm weekends
• Contract: 45 hours per week
• Team: 2 Sous Chefs, 2 CDPs, 2 KPs

The Head Chef Role:

• Lead the kitchen team, ensuring smooth service and high standards
• Manage weekly stocktakes, ordering, rotas, and all kitchen systems (tills, stock, rota platforms)
• Work closely with the Head of Food on menu development and group standards
• Input on weekly specials – they need someone technically good and creative

The Ideal Head Chef:

• Proven experience leading a kitchen in a busy, fresh-food environment
• Background in independent cafes, gastropubs, or branded restaurant groups
• Technically strong with good creativity for weekly specials
• Organised, systems-driven, and comfortable with stock, rotas, and ordering
• A natural leader who can motivate and develop a small brigade

Why Apply?

• Salary: £40,000 all-in
• Daytime hours only – no late nights
• Growing group
• Supportive structure: 
• Stable team: 

Send your CV to Olly at COREcruitment dot com.