Head Chef UK

Role overview

Zizzi is looking for a Head Chef in Bedford to lead the kitchen and work side by side with the General Manager to help the restaurant perform strongly. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who brings energy, team spirit, and a strong commitment to food quality and guest service. You’ll be expected to set the tone for the kitchen, lead by example, and champion the company’s culture and values.

What you can expect

• Participation in the company bonus scheme.
• 50% discount for Zizzi and ASK Italian, including drinks, for you and your friends.
• Free and heavily discounted food while working a shift.
• Access to a tronc system so customers can reward you.
• Wagestream access to draw on wages you have already earned.
• Discounts on cinema tickets, travel sites, and major brands for your time off.
• Access to the Zizzi online community, including rotas and payslips.
• Free Employee Assistance Programme with GP access and wellbeing support.
• 28 days of holiday, calculated pro rata.
• Opportunities to grow and move forward in your career.
• Company pension contributions.
• Zizzi-branded T-shirts and aprons provided.

Key duties

• Take full ownership of the kitchen, guiding the team to produce excellent food while keeping profitability and health and safety standards on track.
• Support the General Manager with hiring, onboarding, coaching, motivating, and retaining strong kitchen talent.
• Know the menu thoroughly and make sure your team is trained to understand it just as well.
• Work with the wider restaurant team to create great guest experiences and maintain high standards in food presentation, quality, and food cost control.
• Become fully familiar with company policies, procedures, and guidelines, and ensure the team follows them consistently.

Values and working style

Success in this role is expected to reflect Zizzi’s core values: growth, individuality, drive, togetherness, and fun. The company culture is team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on supporting one another, embracing differences, and enjoying the work while striving for continuous improvement.

About the employer

Zizzi describes itself as a family-style workplace where teamwork matters more than individual credit, and both customers and colleagues are treated as part of the same community.