Cafe Chef in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London

Cafe chef 

Full time position 

Starting rate £14.50 ph 

The Role

You’ll be responsible for the preparation and presentation of our food offering, maintaining high standards in the kitchen and working collaboratively with the wider team to deliver an excellent café experience.

A key part of the role will be identifying opportunities to increase food sales through menu development, seasonal specials, appealing displays and new ideas that suit our customers and the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve high-quality food to a consistent standard.
• Develop creative ideas for dishes, specials and menu improvements.
• Help grow food sales by identifying customer trends and introducing appealing new offerings.
• Contribute ideas for seasonal menus, promotions and food pairings to complement our coffee offering.
• Manage food preparation, kitchen organisation and daily service.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen safety standards.
• Ensure correct food storage, stock rotation, allergen management and temperature control.
• Monitor stock levels, order ingredients and minimise food waste.
• Help manage food costs, portion control and profitability.
• Present food attractively to encourage customer interest and sales.
• Work closely with the coffee shop team to ensure smooth and efficient service.
• Prepare and serve coffee and other beverages following barista training, if required.

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has previous experience as a chef or cook, ideally in a café, brunch spot or casual dining environment.
• Is passionate about fresh, tasty and well-presented food.
• Is creative and confident suggesting new dishes and menu ideas.
• Has a commercial mindset and understands how food can drive sales.
• Is organised, reliable and able to work efficiently during busy service.
• Understands food safety, hygiene and allergen management.
• Can work independently while being a supportive team player.
• Is enthusiastic about developing the food offering and contributing to the growth of the business.
• Is willing to undertake barista training if they do not already have coffee-making experience.