The Head Chef at Rosa's Thai Restaurant will lead all kitchen operations and drive culinary excellence across the brand. This role is responsible for delivering authentic, high-quality Thai cuisine, maintaining operational standards, managing food cost and kitchen performance, and leading a high-performing culinary team. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, deep knowledge of Thai or Asian cuisine, and experience managing high-volume kitchens.
Key Responsibilities
- Menu Development: Lead the creation and refinement of authentic Thai dishes aligned with the brand's concept, ensuring consistency, innovation, and authenticity.
- Kitchen Leadership & Supervision: Oversee daily kitchen operations, guiding Sous Chefs and kitchen staff to ensure efficiency, discipline, and consistent execution.
- Food Preparation & Presentation: Ensure all dishes meet the highest standards of taste, texture, and presentation.
- Service & Ticket Time Management: Monitor service flow and ticket preparation times, particularly during peak hours.
- Quality Assurance, Health & Safety: Conduct and manage QA/QC, health & safety, and operational audits in compliance with company standards and local regulations.
- Inventory & Cost Control: Manage inventory, par levels, wastage, and food cost to optimize profitability and minimize loss.
- Recipe Training & Execution: Train kitchen staff on recipes, techniques, portioning, and presentation to ensure consistency.
- Hygiene & Food Safety: Enforce strict food safety and hygiene standards, maintaining a clean and compliant kitchen at all times.
- Creativity & Innovation: Encourage creative thinking while respecting the core principles of Thai cuisine.
- Team Development: Mentor and develop kitchen staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and disciplined work culture.
- Events & Catering: Plan and execute menus for special events, private dining, and catering, including dietary requirements.
- Budget Management: Work closely with management on kitchen budgeting, cost control, and resource planning.
- Kitchen Cleanliness & Maintenance: Ensure cleanliness, organization, and proper equipment maintenance.
- FOH Collaboration: Coordinate closely with Front-of-House teams to ensure smooth service and guest satisfaction.
- Food Quality Review: Review customer feedback and implement corrective action plans where required.
- Adaptability & Composure: Handle operational changes and service pressure calmly and professionally.
- Continuous Improvement: Stay updated on culinary trends and continuously enhance menu offerings and kitchen performance.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven experience managing a kitchen specializing in Thai or Asian cuisine.
- Strong background in authentic Thai/Wok cooking techniques, ingredients, and flavors.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, train, and motivate kitchen teams.
- Prior experience in high-volume restaurant kitchens is highly preferred.
- Solid understanding of food safety, hygiene, and regulatory compliance.
- Ability to innovate while maintaining culinary authenticity.
- Strong organizational skills with experience managing food cost and wastage.
- Effective communicator with kitchen teams, management, and FOH.
- Willingness to work shifts, weekends, and holidays as required.
- Formal culinary education or certifications are an advantage but not mandatory.
