Salary - Up to £17 per hour Schedule - Full Time
Experience - Previous experience in a similar role
BAO Soho is looking for a Senior Chef de Partie to join the kitchen team and take ownership of a section with confidence, consistency, and care.
This is a great opportunity for someone who's already mastered the basics, is confident under pressure, and is ready to take on more responsibility while continuing to grow.
Nestled in the heart of Soho, our original BAO site opened in 2015 and quickly became a cult favourite - earning critical acclaim and holding onto a Michelin Bib Gourmand for an impressive nine years running. Inspired by the lively Xiao Chi houses of Taiwan, BAO Soho is where the journey began: serving up fluffy signature BAOs and bold Taiwanese small eats in a buzzing, intimate space.
At BAO, no two restaurants are the same. Each one is a creative chapter in our story — shaped by the founders' memories, travels across Asia, and a deep love for storytelling through food. Soho is where it all started, and it continues to set the tone for our mission: to bring new and exciting dining experiences to life, one BAO at a time.
As Senior Chef de Partie, you'll be trusted to lead your section day-to-day, support the junior team, and uphold the high standards our guests expect.
You'll work closely with the Sous, Senior Sous and Head Chef to keep the kitchen running smoothly, and play a key role in creating a positive, well-organised environment. This is a hands-on role for someone who takes pride in their craft, thrives in service, and is ready to step up.
What you'll be doing:
- Taking full responsibility for your section during prep and service
- Leading junior chefs and supporting them with training and feedback
- Cooking and plating dishes to a consistently high standard
- Helping manage ordering and prep levels on your section
- Working cleanly and efficiently to keep the kitchen calm and well-organised
- Supporting the Sous, Senior Sous and Head Chef with daily operations and kitchen standards
What we're looking for:
- Experience as a strong Chef de Partie or current Senior CDP in a fast-paced, quality-led kitchen
- Confident in running a section and mentoring more junior chefs
- A calm, organised approach with a sharp eye for detail
- Supportive and kind - someone who builds others up and communicates clearly
- A positive presence in the kitchen who leads by example
- A desire to keep learning and contribute to a high-performing, thoughtful team
We want working at BAO to feel like stepping into a warm, fluffy bao — soft, supportive, and full of good stuff. Here's what you'll get as part of the team:
Work-Life Balance
- 6 shifts across 5 days, with a maximum of one double shift
- Rotas released two weeks in advance so you can plan ahead
Growth & Development
- Personalised development plans tailored to your goals
- Access to School of BAO, a series of talks, workshops and fieldtrips
Perks & Discounts
- 50% off food and drink across all BAO and JKS restaurants
- Access to curated wine and meat suppliers at trade prices
- Discounts on BAO retail and takeaway items
Rewards & Recognition
- BAOcoin - earn rewards for living BAO values, then spend them in the BAOshop
- BAO Pyramid Scheme — earn up to £500 for referring someone to join the team
Milestones
- Perks to celebrate work anniversaries milestones
Celebrations
- Two company-wide parties a year: Wei Ya and Moon Festival BBQ
BAO quite literally means steamed bun. But BAO means so much more than that, a cult brand with a cult following that aims to inspire with design through food. Founded in 2013 by family trio, Erchen Chang, Shing Tat Chung and Wai Ting Chung in a carpark in East London to now spanning 7 restaurants across London, where each has its own story of Taiwanese Culture with unique experience, narrative and menu.
At BAO we seek people who warm our souls through cooking and hospitality. We strive to cultivate an environment where our design is inspiring, where our unconventional way of thinking bring humour and innovation; our detail challenges you to do your best.
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