Head Chef

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.

ROVI is Ottolenghi's flagship restaurant on Wells Street, celebrating vegetables and live-fire cooking in a way that is entirely our own. Since opening in 2019, ROVI has established itself as one of London's most exciting and progressive dining destinations.

What you'll 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 Ottolenghi's 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.

What we're 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.

• A genuine passion for food, people, and the Ottolenghi ethos.

What's 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 Chef's 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.