Bakery Head Chef

 the Flour Pot Bakery, we are committed to delivering exceptional baked goods to Brighton, Hove, Worthing, and the surrounding areas in Sussex. We are seeking a skilled and passionate Head Chef to join our dynamic team. As a Head Chef at the Flour Pot Bakery, you will play a crucial role managing all of our daytime production for both of our retail wholesale business, including the pastry, savoury, assembly and kitchen porter departments.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in running a kitchen, an extensive knowledge of food safety management, and a proven track record of creating innovative and high-quality savoury and pastry options.

Key responsibilities and tasks 

Menu Development:

• Innovate and create a diverse range of baked goods, pastries, sweet treats, savoury items, and other specialty items.
• Stay updated on industry trends and incorporate unique and seasonal ingredients to keep the menu fresh and exciting.

Kitchen Management:

• Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.
• Manage and train kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.
• Implement and maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and safety in the kitchen.

People management

• Manage the kitchen team’s schedules, tasks, and performance to ensure efficiency and productivity
• Manage the recruitment process for all new kitchen candidates, overseeing trial shifts and take responsibility for the training of new recruits
• Lead, train, and mentor the kitchen team, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment

Quality Control:

• Maintain a commitment to exceptional quality in all of our products, consistently meeting or exceeding customer expectations.
• Conduct regular tastings and evaluations to ensure consistency and adherence to established recipes.

Cost Management:

• Develop and manage budgetary guidelines for the kitchen, controlling costs without compromising quality.
• Work closely with suppliers to source high-quality, cost-effective ingredients.

Customer Engagement:

• Collaborate with the senior team to understand customer preferences and feedback, incorporating insights into menu improvements.
• Occasionally interact with customers to gather direct feedback and build relationships within the community

Creativity and Innovation:

• Lead the team in experimenting with new recipes, techniques, and presentation styles.
• Contribute to the development of signature items that set Flour Pot Bakery apart in the market

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef with a focus on baking and pastry.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional certification.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
• Extensive knowledge of baking and cooking techniques, ingredients, and trends.
• Exceptional organisational and time-management abilities.
• Creative mindset with a passion for delivering outstanding culinary experiences.
• Familiarity with health and safety regulations.
• Excellent communication skills.

This is based on a 45 hour week contract, 5 days per week, Monday - Sunday.