Kitchen Lead

The Kitchen Lead will oversee daily kitchen operations, lead and motivate staff, and ensure high standards of food quality, safety, and efficiency.

Kitchen Lead

Our client is seeking a dynamic and experienced Kitchen Lead to lead the heart of their restaurant — the kitchen. This pivotal role demands a passion for culinary excellence, strong leadership skills, and the ability to drive operational efficiency. The successful candidate will oversee all back-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, impeccable presentation, and a clean, safe, and productive working environment.

Why This Role Matters
Our kitchen is where the brand’s reputation lives or dies. The Kitchen Lead drives consistency, minimises waste, and maintains the tempo that keeps the front of house moving. By mastering structure and discipline in daily execution, this role directly supports food quality, profitability, and guest satisfaction.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee daily prep, cooking, and service line performance.
• Maintain recipe accuracy, portion control, and presentation standards.
• Lead opening and closing kitchen procedures, ensuring full checklist compliance.

Team Leadership & Training

• Train and guide cooks, ensuring adherence to food safety and quality standards.
• Lead pre-shift briefs and post-service debriefs.
• Foster a clean, efficient, and respectful kitchen culture.

Inventory & Cost Control

• Manage weekly inventory counts, waste logs, and storage systems.
• Work with Directors to maintain food cost targets and reduce spoilage.
• Communicate supply needs and track deliveries.

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all food safety, temperature, and sanitation standards.
• Maintain accurate HACCP and temperature logs daily.
• Support equipment upkeep and maintenance schedules.

Requirements

• 3+ years in a professional kitchen or BOH leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of kitchen operations, sanitation, and line flow.
• Reliable, disciplined, and able to coach others under pressure.
• Familiarity with Revel POS or similar systems is a plus.
• Valid food handler certificate