Head Chef

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Submit your CV and any additional required information after you have read this description by clicking on the application button.
Ottolenghi Edinburgh marks an exciting new chapter for us, our first restaurant in Scotland. Opening in autumn 2026, this will be a vibrant, busy restaurant with a genuine commitment to fresh, seasonal produce and sustainability at its heart.
What youll do
Lead and inspire the kitchen team to achieve high standards in a supportive, dynamic environment.
Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring excellence in quality, consistency, and food presentation.
Champion Ottolenghis style of cooking, with a focus on coal cooking, bold flavours, and seasonal ingredients.
Work closely with the Executive Development Chef to design and develop seasonal menus aligned with the Ottolenghi ethos.
Manage food costs, ordering, and stock control efficiently and sustainably.
Maintain exceptional food hygiene and safety standards across the kitchen.
Manage labour controls, scheduling, and kitchen operations to maintain high standards while meeting financial targets.
Recruit, train, mentor, and develop junior chefs, fostering growth and creativity.
Create a positive, respectful kitchen culture where teamwork, learning, and accountability are valued.
Work closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to ensure a seamless, memorable guest experience.
W hat were looking for
Proven experience in a senior kitchen role, ideally as Head Chef or Senior Sous in a high-volume, quality-led restaurant, minimum of 2 years.
Someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Creativity, curiosity, and a genuine love for fresh, seasonal cooking.
A leader who leads with empathy, professionalism, and a hands-on approach.
A genuine passion for nurturing talent and building a strong, inclusive kitchen culture.
Key skills
Exceptional culinary skills with a strong understanding of flavour, technique, and seasonality.
Confident leadership with the ability to inspire and develop a team.
Strong commercial understanding with proven experience running a kitchen efficiently and profitably.
Excellent organisational skills across stock, labour, and operations.
Calm under pressure with a solutions-focused and collaborative mindset.
Comfortable with relevant kitchen management and IT systems. xwzovoh
A genuine passion for food, people, and the Ottolenghi ethos.
Whats in it for you?
33 days annual leave per year, inclusive of bank holidays
Delicious Ottolenghi staff meals on shift and generous staff discount
Health and well-being support through our HSF healthcare plan (covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more), plus a 24/7 GP helpline and access to Perkbox discounts
Refer a Friend Bonus: £500 for each successful referral
Learning & Development opportunities including management coaching, WSET wine training, Ottolenghi Chefs Academy workshops, and access to external courses
A warm, inclusive working culture where individuality, growth, and creativity are celebrated
Enhanced Parental Pay after two years service
A special birthday treat to celebrate your day
Exclusive workshops and demos, including cooking, food, wine, and cocktail sessions in the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen
A collaborative and creative environment where your ideas are valued
If you care about great food, great people, and doing things properly, we'd love to hear from you.”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-08”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “Ottolenghi”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__426692377__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=22253” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “Old Town” } } }
Company: Ottolenghi
Apply for the Head Chef
Location: Old Town
Job Description:

At Ottolenghi, we’re known for vibrant food, busy delis, and restaurants full of energy, but what really matters is our people. We create environments where teams feel supported, take pride in what they do, and deliver a genuinely warm experience to every guest.

Submit your CV and any additional required information after you have read this description by clicking on the application button.Ottolenghi Edinburgh marks an exciting new chapter for us, our first restaurant in Scotland. Opening in autumn 2026, this will be a vibrant, busy restaurant with a genuine commitment to fresh, seasonal produce and sustainability at its heart.What youll doLead and inspire the kitchen team to achieve high standards in a supportive, dynamic environment.Oversee daily kitchen operations, ensuring excellence in quality, consistency, and food presentation.Champion Ottolenghis style of cooking, with a focus on coal cooking, bold flavours, and seasonal ingredients.Work closely with the Executive Development Chef to design and develop seasonal menus aligned with the Ottolenghi ethos.Manage food costs, ordering, and stock control efficiently and sustainably.Maintain exceptional food hygiene and safety standards across the kitchen.Manage labour controls, scheduling, and kitchen operations to maintain high standards while meeting financial targets.Recruit, train, mentor, and develop junior chefs, fostering growth and creativity.Create a positive, respectful kitchen culture where teamwork, learning, and accountability are valued.Work closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to ensure a seamless, memorable guest experience.W hat were looking forProven experience in a senior kitchen role, ideally as Head Chef or Senior Sous in a high-volume, quality-led restaurant, minimum of 2 years.Someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.Creativity, curiosity, and a genuine love for fresh, seasonal cooking.A leader who leads with empathy, professionalism, and a hands-on approach.A genuine passion for nurturing talent and building a strong, inclusive kitchen culture.Key skillsExceptional culinary skills with a strong understanding of flavour, technique, and seasonality.Confident leadership with the ability to inspire and develop a team.Strong commercial understanding with proven experience running a kitchen efficiently and profitably.Excellent organisational skills across stock, labour, and operations.Calm under pressure with a solutions-focused and collaborative mindset.Comfortable with relevant kitchen management and IT systems. xwzovoh A genuine passion for food, people, and the Ottolenghi ethos.Whats in it for you?33 days annual leave per year, inclusive of bank holidaysDelicious Ottolenghi staff meals on shift and generous staff discountHealth and well-being support through our HSF healthcare plan (covering dental, optical, physiotherapy, and more), plus a 24/7 GP helpline and access to Perkbox discountsRefer a Friend Bonus: £500 for each successful referralLearning & Development opportunities including management coaching, WSET wine training, Ottolenghi Chefs Academy workshops, and access to external coursesA warm, inclusive working culture where individuality, growth, and creativity are celebratedEnhanced Parental Pay after two years serviceA special birthday treat to celebrate your dayExclusive workshops and demos, including cooking, food, wine, and cocktail sessions in the Ottolenghi Test KitchenA collaborative and creative environment where your ideas are valuedIf you care about great food, great people, and doing things properly, we’d love to hear from you….

Posted: May 8th, 2026