Head Chef - SO15 QE

Pay Rate: £13.50 - £14.50 per hour + bonus + tips

Hours: 45-50 per week (hours are negotiable)

Role: Full-time Head Chef

Commencement Date: June 2026

Be part of something new – join Maki & Ramen

We're Maki & Ramen – a growing, Japanese-inspired dining brand known for our homemade ramen and freshly prepared sushi. With a strong focus on quality and warm, attentive service, we’re passionate about delivering a memorable experience for every guest.

Maki & Ramen Southampton is looking for an experienced and driven Head Chef to lead the launch and shape the future of this exciting new site. If you're ready to take the next step in your career and be part of a vibrant, expanding team, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee all kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, organisation, and smooth service during high-traffic event periods.
• Maintain exceptional food quality, presentation, and recipe standards, adapting to fast-paced, high-volume demands.
• Manage and develop the kitchen team through training, coaching, and effective delegation.
• Control stock, ordering, waste, and kitchen budgets to achieve strong commercial performance.
• Ensure rigorous compliance with food safety, hygiene regulations, and health & safety procedures at all times.
• Collaborate with front-of-house and management teams to coordinate service flow and meet operational targets.

Qualifications:

• Strong leadership skills, capable of managing and motivating a kitchen brigade in a demanding environment.
• Proven experience in high-volume cooking, with the ability to maintain quality under pressure.
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities, especially during event peaks and tight service windows.
• Solid understanding of food safety, HACCP procedures, and kitchen compliance requirements.
• Commercial awareness, including stock control, cost management, and menu performance.
• Adaptability, resilience, and a calm approach when handling operational challenges or last-minute changes.

As part of our team, you will receive a motivated and friendly working environment, delicious team meals and a competitive salary + tips.

What are you waiting for? Join us today!

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount

Experience:

• Cooking: 2 years (required)
• Head Chef: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Food Safety Level 2 or above (preferred)
• Food Allergen Training

Language:

• Fluent in English speaking

Work Location: In person