Head Chef

Role overview

Zizzi Restaurants is seeking a Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen in its Brighton restaurant. This position is central to how the venue performs, working closely with the General Manager to support restaurant success, strengthen team culture, and keep service standards consistently high. The ideal person will bring energy, teamwork, a hands-on attitude, and a strong commitment to delivering excellent food and hospitality every time.

The role suits someone who is passionate about food and service, sets high standards, and leads by example. You will be expected to inspire the kitchen team, protect quality, and help create memorable experiences for guests while keeping performance and profitability on track.

Compensation and benefits

This role offers competitive pay along with a generous bonus scheme and tronc. Additional benefits include access to a company bonus scheme, a 50% discount card for Zizzi and ASK Italian for you and your friends, free and heavily discounted meals during shifts, access to a tronc system, Wagestream for early access to earned wages, and discounts on cinema tickets, travel websites, and major brands. You will also have access to an online Zizzi community for rotas and payslips, a free Employee Assistance Programme with GP and wellbeing support, 28 days of holiday pro rata, company pension contributions, opportunities for career development, and branded T-shirts and aprons provided.

Key duties

As Head Chef, you will hold full responsibility for the kitchen and guide the team to produce outstanding food while maintaining strong profitability and meeting health and safety expectations. A major part of the role is people leadership: working with the General Manager to recruit, onboard, train, develop, motivate, and retain strong kitchen talent.

You will need to know the menu thoroughly and ensure the team understands it equally well. You will also collaborate with the wider restaurant team to deliver excellent guest experiences, maintain pride in food presentation and quality, and keep food costs within target. In addition, you will become highly familiar with company policies, processes, and guidelines, and ensure your team follows them so that both the kitchen and restaurant consistently meet required standards.

Values and working style

Zizzi expects its leaders to live the company values of growth, individuality, drive, togetherness, and fun. The role calls for someone who wants to keep improving, values diversity, adapts well to challenges, encourages team spirit, and can balance serious goals with a positive attitude. Zizzi describes its culture as family-oriented, with a strong belief in teamwork and shared success.

Additional information

Calling all pizza lovers — pasta lovers are welcome too. The restaurant brand emphasises a lively, team-based environment where everyone contributes to making customers feel part of the experience.