Head Chef – Senior Chef Academy 6AP Edinburgh £35,000 – £38,000 DOE Plus Tronc & Bonus

Job Description

Head Chef – Senior Chef Academy

Signature Group is proud to launch its Senior Chef Academy, a structured, three-month development programme designed to support aspiring Senior Chefs in building the skills, confidence, and leadership required to thrive in our kitchens. This is a unique opportunity to learn our standards and systems, receive mentorship, and grow into a role that matches your strengths and ambitions.

Academy Structure

• Month 1: Foundations – Introduction to Signature Group systems, standards, and kitchen operations with mentor support and initial performance assessment.
• Month 2: Development – Focused culinary training, leadership development, and hands on shift management with feedback from mentors and L&D.
• Month 3: Ownership – Lead services, manage teams, and demonstrate menu creation and GP awareness, culminating in a final skills assessment.

Senior Chef Duties

• Assisting with Menu Preparation – Work closely with the Head Chef to develop, plan, and implement new dishes, ensuring they align with the restaurant’s concept and meet quality standards.
• Overseeing Kitchen Operations – Manage kitchen staff during shifts, ensuring that all tasks are completed efficiently, and the kitchen runs smoothly, particularly during busy service periods.
• Staff Training & Mentoring – Train and mentor junior kitchen staff, providing guidance on cooking techniques, safety standards, and operational procedures to enhance team performance.
• Maintaining Kitchen Hygiene & Safety – Ensure that the kitchen adheres to all health, safety, and hygiene regulations, conducting regular checks and maintaining a clean and organised environment.
• Inventory & Stock Control – Assist with inventory management, including ordering, monitoring stock levels, and ensuring the proper storage of ingredients to minimise waste and ensure consistent food quality.

Required Skills

• Advanced Culinary Skills – Strong knowledge of cooking techniques and culinary skills, with the ability to prepare and cook high-quality meals consistently.
• Leadership & Team Management – Ability to manage and motivate kitchen staff, ensuring efficient operations, maintaining morale, and fostering a positive team environment.
• Time Management & Multi-tasking – Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple kitchen tasks simultaneously, ensuring timely preparation and delivery of dishes during busy periods.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making – Ability to address kitchen challenges quickly and effectively, making decisions that ensure food quality, kitchen efficiency, and guest satisfaction.
• Attention to Detail – A keen eye for detail in food preparation, presentation, and portion control, ensuring dishes are consistently prepared to the highest standard.

Benefits

On top of pay – also included is our wider benefits such as:

• Staff discount ranging from 25% to 50% on F&B at all Signature Group venues
• Employee Assistant Programme
• Extra annual leave days gathered through service