Head Chef (Shoreditch)

Head Chef - Kitchen Operations

Vida Plena is an innovative hospitality group founded in Lisbon in 2018, dedicated to making our guests and team feel truly at home. We pride ourselves on delivering warm, blissful experiences, fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, serving top-quality fresh food, and providing exceptional service.

Our foundation is built on passion, respect, kindness, ambition, and modernity, alongside a commitment to joy, positive energy, and a laid-back approach to enjoying life's best moments. At Vida Plena, we embrace the true essence of hospitality while adhering to our core values, creating a fun, respectful, and loving environment for all.

We are thrilled to take our much beloved, Dallas Burger Joint, from Lisbon to London, and excited to search for an experienced and ambitious individual to help preserve the reasons why Dallas has become so special. We'll be opening this spring in the beating heart of Shoreditch and would love to discuss the opportunity with you if you think this job describes you!

The Role

As a Head Chef - Kitchen Operations, you will oversee quality control of the dishes, stock control and purchasing, and instill a positive culture within the kitchen. You lead the team with positivity and detail, maintaining operational excellence, and creating an exceptional dining experience. Your work drives guest satisfaction, team engagement, and profitable operations. As we continue to scale, we are looking for someone motivated to grow with us.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook our beloved burgers, sides, and sauces according to the recipes and standards to ensure every dish maintains its quality and taste.
• Set and track food-cost, labour, and quality targets.
• Motivate, train, and lead the line chefs in the kitchen.
• Maintain supplier partnerships, track pricing changes, and stay on top of purchasing requirements.
• Ensure full legal compliance (HACCP, allergen, food safety & handling)
• Collaborate with FOH and marketing on promotions and special events.
• Oversee inventory control and minimize food waste.
• Properly operate and maintain kitchen equipment.

What We Expect From You

• Experience: Progressive kitchen leadership, ideally in a similar concept.
• Proven track record in quality control and stock management.
• Positive leader who thrives under pressure.
• Team-oriented with a positive attitude.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Attention to detail and consistency.
• Passion for burgers and casual dining food.

What You'll Love About Working Here

At Vida Plena, you're not just taking a position; you're joining a community that values joy, respect, and a collective pursuit of excellence. If you're prepared to bring your expertise, passion, and innovation to our team, we're excited to welcome you into our fold.

Before opening, we're excited to bring our chef over to Lisbon, where we are well established, to learn what makes us special directly from our HQ and on-site teams. You'll learn the ropes, the recipes, and even the secrets that make our dishes so tasty, in hopes that you'll be the flag bearer of Dallas in London.