Apprentice Chef

apprentice chef | full time 

we are looking for the next generation of aspiring chefs to join the wagamama community + kick start an amazing development journey

at wagamama, we’re an eating house for the soul. with over 160 uk restaurants and growing, our purpose is to nourish the world from bowl to soul. inspired by fast-paced, japanese ramen bars since 1992. a celebration of asian food brought wagamama to life  

the role |  

as an apprentice chef at wagamama you'll play a key role in our kitchen, preparing and serving our fresh food to standard with care. working alongside a talented and diverse team not only will you gain key life skills, you'll make great friends too, all whilst ensuring that our guests receive delicious food the wagamama way. so whether you’re looking to start a career as a chef and gain skills for life this could be the role for you  

as an apprentice you will be enrolled onto our level 2 programme which will immerse you into the world of hospitality and highlight the impact your role has on the wider business. our programmes are delivered by lifetime training who will designate you your own personal learning coach. they will support you throughout the programme, ensuring you are confident in your learnings and set up for success to complete your apprenticeship, gaining your nationally recognised qualification

perks + quirks |  

• £12.75 per hour + £27.30 average tips per week* 
• £14 - £25 of free food allowance on every shift   
• dry-cleaned chef whites provided every shift  
• 50% discount at wagamama + 30% off all other trg brands with family and friends  
• pension scheme + 28 days holiday  
• dedicated training programme  
• internal progression opportunities | fully funded apprenticeship programmes to support your growth  
• kintsugi wellness | access to councillors, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym + leisure    
• family friendly policy | any expectant person or anyone adopting a child will receive 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay  
• financial wellbeing support | access to loans repaid through your salary for those ‘strapped for cash’ moments in life   

what we look for |  

we're looking for someone who shares our values and can embody the wagamama way through how you show up at work. you'll have an interest in food or cooking, and be a great team player who can work well in a fast-paced environment. you'll have good interpersonal skills and be able to multitask in a kitchen with no microwaves or heat lamps, everything we cook is fresh. as this is an apprenticeship, we don’t require any experience – just a passion + eagerness to learn!  

the wagamama way |  

kaizen, meaning ‘good change’, is the philosophy that sits at the core of who we are. it shapes every dish we create and pushes us to find better ways in all we do. our food, how we think, how we work, it has to be fresh. committed to championing change in both our communities + the impact on the planet   

three whole decades of acting different, we don’t conform, we celebrate difference. appreciating personality over perfection. welcoming everyone and their unique story to our benches. we promise to have your back. working together to build close bonds of trust + support. creating safe spaces where we can have real conversations with open hearts + open minds  

be you. be wagamama

wagamama is proudly part of disability confident  

*100% of tips go to our teams. average tips are based on our back of house team level positions across all our uk restaurants between 29/05/23 + 02/07/23. actual tips by restaurant will vary. tips are left solely at our guests discretion and are not considered as wages by the company nor are they guaranteed in any way