Prep Kitchen Manager

Prep Kitchen Manager - The Palomar | Studio Paskin

Daytime Role | 5 Days a Week | Soho, London

Nestled in the heart of London's West End, you'll find The Palomar.

Our small space is bursting with the vibrant colours, flavours, sounds and aromas of Southern Spain, Italy, North Africa and the Levant. From our lively kitchen counter to our elegant dining room and street terrace, The Palomar remains at the forefront of London's dining scene.

We're looking for an experienced, highly organised and detail-driven Prep Chef to take ownership of our prep kitchen, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency and efficiency across all production.

This is more than a traditional prep position. It's a hands-on production and operational management role, requiring someone who can work autonomously, anticipate the needs of a busy restaurant and take responsibility for the organisation, standards and performance of the prep kitchen.

This is a daytime, non-service role, working five days a week, typically 8am-5pm.

The role

Working closely with our Head Chef and senior kitchen team, you'll oversee daily production, stock management, ordering, supplier relationships and the organisation of the prep kitchen.

You'll need to think ahead, anticipating preparation requirements based on trading patterns, covers, events and seasonal demand, ensuring the kitchen is consistently set up for success.

You will

• Take ownership of the prep kitchen, managing daily operations, production schedules, organisation and standards.
• Plan production and manage par levels, anticipating requirements based on reservations, trading patterns, events and changing service demands.
• Ensure exceptional quality and consistency, following The Palomar's recipes, specifications and portion controls precisely.
• Manage stock, ordering and deliveries, maintaining accurate inventory, controlling waste and ensuring ingredient availability.
• Oversee stock systems and reporting, including monthly stocktakes, accurate records and reporting to senior kitchen leadership.
• Manage supplier relationships, coordinating deliveries, monitoring quality and resolving discrepancies.
• Lead and coordinate other chefs working in prep, delegating tasks and maintaining efficient production and consistently high standards.
• Manage the Kitchen Porter team, including rotas, task allocation and cleanliness standards within the shared prep kitchen.
• Ensure accurate handovers and communication, keeping senior chefs informed of production, stock levels, shortages and operational issues.
• Take responsibility for kitchen compliance, maintaining excellent standards of food safety, HACCP, allergens, storage, labelling and health and safety.
• Drive efficiency and improvement, strengthening systems, minimising waste and supporting the wider kitchen operation.

You'll bring

• Exceptional organisation and attention to detail, with a systematic, methodical approach to production and kitchen management.
• Strong planning skills, confidently anticipating demand, maintaining par levels and adapting to changing requirements.
• Excellent knowledge of stock management, ordering, stocktaking and inventory systems, with accurate reporting skills.
• Experience supervising and coordinating teams, including delegation, rota management and maintaining standards.
• Thorough knowledge of food safety, HACCP, allergens and kitchen compliance.
• Excellent time management, with the ability to prioritise tasks without compromising quality or accuracy.
• The discipline to follow recipes and specifications precisely, delivering consistently excellent preparation.
• Strong communication skills and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• A genuine sense of ownership and accountability. You'll be a self-starter who thrives working independently, takes initiative and can be trusted to manage your section with confidence and care.

Above all, we're looking for someone who takes real pride in their work, understands that exceptional food starts long before service, and whose organisation and attention to detail set the entire kitchen up for success.

Our benefits

• Career development and progression within an ambitious, independent restaurant group.
• Up to £2,000 Employee Referral Scheme.
• Paid development courses and qualifications.
• Staff discounts of up to 50% across Studio Paskin venues.
• Cost-price wine and supplier discounts.
• Enhanced parental leave package.
• Emergency cash and weekly wage advances through PayCaptain.
• Partnership with Kelly's Cause and Hospitality Action's Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling, remote GP and physiotherapy services, legal advice and more.

We believe taking care of our team isn't an extra perk - it's our responsibility. You'll have access to free staff meals, proper breaks and Mental Health First Aid-trained managers.

About us

Our success at The Palomar and its sister venues - The Barbary, The Blue Posts, Evelyn's Table and The Mulwray - is underpinned by an open-minded, compassionate and enthusiastic belief in the power of heartfelt hospitality.

We create places where we want to go, combining individuality, professionalism, quality and style, earning us critical acclaim and multiple awards.

We're committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

We want you to be a part of it.