Head Chef — Tipsy Chef (Preston City Centre)
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Tipsy Chef is a fast-paced, social-first, city-centre restaurant with a loyal following and serious volume. We serve bold, craveable plates (think bao buns, smashed burgers, serious carbs and dirty fries) in a buzzy room where the pass is always alive. No egos. No drama. Just a tight crew who love service and look after each other.
Role Description
This is a full-time, on-site Head Chef role in Preston. You’ll own the kitchen: lead service, drive consistency, and keep standards sky-high while growing and mentoring a happy, high-performing team. You’ll plan menus and specials (seasonal, costed and scalable), manage ordering and stock, maintain 5* food safety standards, and hit GP/labour targets without ever compromising flavour. You’ll collaborate with the boss and the rest of the team on new dishes, shoots and social moments that make people book.
What you’ll do
* Run prep and service like a pro: clean tickets, consistent plates, fast turnarounds.
* Build, train and rota a kitchen team that loves coming to work.
* Manage ordering, stock counts, wastage control and supplier relationships.
* Hit the numbers: GP %, labour %, portion control, yield and wastage.
* Keep the kitchen spotless: HACCP, due diligence, EHO-ready every day.
* Drive NPD: bao fillings, sauces, burger builds, loaded fries that slap.
* Work shoulder-to-shoulder with FOH—no silos, one team, great vibes.
* Lead by example at the pass: calm, clear, fair and always coaching.
Qualifications
* Strong culinary chops: menu planning, recipe development, high-volume execution.
* Proven kitchen management and team leadership in a busy, trendy venue.
* Deep knowledge of food safety, allergens and HACCP; Level 3 Food Safety (or willing to obtain quickly).
* Stock, costing and budgeting skills; comfortable with GP and labour targets.
* Experience with smash burgers, bao/steam service, fryer/pan speed and batch sauces is a big plus.
* Relevant culinary training or equivalent professional experience.
* Previous Head Chef or Senior Sous experience in a high-volume, quality-driven kitchen is advantageous.
What’s in it for you
* Competitive salary based on experience (£28k - £37k) + tips.
* Real progression: grow the brand, grow your team, grow your career.
* Creative freedom within a spec-driven, scalable system.
* Menu R&D time, supplier tastings and input on specials.
* Supportive leadership, proper breaks, staff food and a team that has your back.
* Serious discounts and proper perks across the group (Baluga, Hopwoods, Winter Lodge, Nashville)
The vibe we’re after
You’re hands-on, upbeat and allergic to chaos. You care about clean stations, tight prep lists and happy people. You can smash a burger, steam a perfect bao, season like you mean it—and still smile at the pass.
Full-time, 4/5 days including evenings/weekends. On-site at Tipsy Chef, Preston City Centre.
Apply
Hit “Apply” on LinkedIn with your CV and a short note. Links to your Insta/portfolio or a couple of dishes you’re proud of are very welcome. Must have the right to work in the UK.
We’re an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to a friendly, inclusive workplace.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Hospitality
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