Job Description

We’re looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Food Lead/Café Chef to take ownership of the food side of the shop and help us turn our menu into a fast, consistent and well-run service.

THE ROLE:

This is a hands-on role combining daily food preparation and service with responsibility for helping refine how our menu works in practice.

You’ll work closely with the founder ahead of and following the launch to establish the best methods for preparing, portioning, storing, cooking, assembling and finishing each menu item. The aim is simple: really good food, made consistently and served quickly.

You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute ideas, improve existing recipes and develop components that could possibly be made in-house - from sauces to preserves to seasonal additions and tweaks as well as future menu items.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Food & Menu

Help refine and establish recipes, preparation methods, portion sizes, cooking times and presentation standards for our opening menu
Develop efficient prep, batch-production and service methods
Prepare and develop menu components in-house where appropriate
Contribute ideas and practical knowledge as the menu develops

Daily Preparation & Service

Lead daily mise-en-place and food preparation
Cook, assemble & finish menu items during service
Manage preparation levels around anticipated and actual demand
Ensure orders are produced quickly, accurately and consistently to a high standard
Monitor stock, ingredient quality, portion control and wastage
Maintain an organised and well-stocked food station throughout service

Systems, Training & Standards

Help establish clear and repeatable methods for each menu item
Train and support the Shop Manager and wider team in food preparation, assembly and service
Identify opportunities to improve quality, consistency and efficiency
Maintain excellent food hygiene and cleanliness standards
Follow the company’s food-safety and HACCP procedures, including appropriate allergen, storage and temperature controls

WORKING AS A TEAM

Jones’ will operate with a small, multi-skilled team rather than rigid front-of-house & back-of-house divisions.

Food will be your main area of responsibility but everyone will be expected to pitch in where needed. That might mean helping with orders during a rush, restocking, accepting a delivery, cleaning, handing food to customers or supporting coffee service once trained.

We’re looking for individuals who can take ownership of the shop as a whole and enjoy working as part of a close team.

Job Requirements

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for someone with solid experience in a professional kitchen, café or similar food business who is looking for a role with a little more ownership.

You’ll be confident with food preparation and service, comfortable working at pace, and have a good understanding of food hygiene, allergens, stock, portion control & wastage.

Just as importantly, we’d like to find someone who is genuinely interested in food and how things are made. Someone who enjoys experimenting, refining recipes and finding practical ways to make something both better and more efficient.

You’ll be working closely with the founder and with a small shop team, so being collaborative, approachable and willing to share your knowledge matters. We’d love someone who brings ideas and personality to the role, while being equally happy to listen, learn and get stuck in alongside everyone else.

Experience as a Café Chef, Chef de Partie, Senior Chef de Partie, Kitchen Lead or similar would be useful but we’re open to different backgrounds if the experience and approach is right.