Head Pizza Chef (Victoria Park)
Do you live and breathe pizza? Are you looking for the creative freedom to experiment with flavours? Do you take pride in developing others?
We’re seeking a passionate and experienced leader for our thriving East London pizzeria. You’ll be responsible for managing kitchen operations and ensuring the highest quality of our food, with the freedom to put your stamp on our evolving menu. Pizza and dough experience are essential, alongside a strong foundation in team management. We’re looking for chefs with at least five years of professional kitchen experience, and we particularly encourage women and those from other culinary areas to apply.
📍 Location: Victoria Park, Hackney, London.
💰 Pay: Up to £55,000 per annum (London Living Wage employer + tronc, doe)
👩 Reports To: General Manager, Company Directors
⏰ Hours: 45 hours per week, flexible shifts, evening and weekends standard
📅 Start Date: ASAP
As Head Pizza Chef, you’ll thrive under pressure and have a strong attention to detail. You’ll support the General Manager in general operations while developing the kitchen team. While the key responsibilities are outlined below, flexibility and a hands-on approach are essential in this dynamic role.
What You’ll Do:
Lead and inspire the kitchen team, fostering a culture of learning and development.
Champion creativity in menu development, contributing to specials and more
Lead on prep and dough schedule, including stock control and ordering.
Oversee dough production and fermentation, adjusting for seasonal conditions.
Maintain exceptional food hygiene standards, ensuring a 5-star rating.
Monitor and maintain kitchen facilities, resolving operational issues within budget.
Train the Back of House team, supporting the General Manager with rotas, leave, and performance management.
Engage with GP and stock control to optimise menu efficiency and drive growth.
Liaise with local authorities (Hackney Council, EHO) to ensure compliance.
Foster collaboration between our Pembury Tavern and Victoria Park teams, ensuring shared knowledge and consistency.
Take pride in appearance and the standards by which the team present themselves.
What We’re Looking For:
Proven experience in a leadership role within professional kitchens.
A creative all-rounder who isn’t bound by tradition.
Passion for the highest standards and elevation of the humble pizza.
Experience in dough making.
Ability to manage BOH teams with a hands-on leadership approach.
Excellent problem-solving skills with a positive, can-do attitude.
Comfortable working with all stakeholders, from customers to suppliers and EHO.
Comfortable balancing autonomy with collaboration alongside company directors.
Right to live and work in the UK.
Annual Leave & Benefits:
30 days annual leave - 2 extra days!
1 additional community or stage leave day every year
Increased employer pension contribution after Y1
CODE Hospitality membership for industry discounts
Free food, tea, coffee, and filtered water on shift
ACE Pizza uniform and merchandise allocation (50% off at other times)
50% off food & drink (off shift)
Funded training
Bi-annual team socials
Tips and service charge:
100% of monthly tips and gratuities shared fairly by end of following month via third-party troncmaster Grateful
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Closing Date For Applications: ASAP (rolling process)
We'll endeavour to contact everyone who applies, although we can't guarantee feedback in the early stages. This is a rolling process and we may contact suitably qualified candidates in advance of the closing date.
ACE Pizza is an accredited London Living Wage employer. We particularly welcome applications from women, who are currently under-represented in some roles within the hospitality industry. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Please contact us if you require any assistance with the application process. We are an equal opportunities employer and all qualified applicants will be considered.