Chef / Kitchen Lead (Brunch & Café)

FIRST SIP is a modern speciality café serving exceptional coffee, ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha, smoothies, açai bowls and thoughtfully crafted food. We’re looking for a passionate chef to help shape the next stage of our food programme by developing a small but outstanding brunch menu focused on quality, consistency and fresh ingredients.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys creativity, takes pride in presentation, and wants to help build something from the ground up.

The Role

We’re looking for a hands-on chef who can take ownership of our kitchen, develop a simple but premium all-day brunch menu, and ensure every dish leaves the kitchen to a consistently high standard.

You’ll work closely with the founders to create around 5–6 signature menu items that complement our speciality coffee and matcha programme.⸻Key Responsibilities* Develop and refine a small, high-quality brunch menu (approximately 5–6 signature dishes)* Create recipes that are consistent, efficient and commercially viable* Prepare and serve food to a high standard during service* Design kitchen workflows to maximise speed and consistency* Develop prep lists, recipes and portion guides* Monitor food quality, freshness and presentation* Manage stock levels and minimise food waste* Ensure compliance with all food safety and hygiene regulations* Source quality ingredients and recommend suppliers where appropriate* Train kitchen staff and establish clear operating procedures* Work with the team on seasonal specials and new menu launches* Maintain a clean, organised and efficient kitchen at all times Initial Menu DevelopmentWe’d like the successful candidate to help create dishes such as:* Signature All-Day Breakfast* Smashed Avocado & Feta Sourdough* Burrata, Roasted Tomato & Pesto Sourdough* Truffle Parmesan Fries* Eggs on Sourdough (various styles)* Seasonal chef’s specialThe menu should focus on premium ingredients, beautiful presentation and efficient execution.⸻Requirements* Previous experience as a Chef or Sous Chef in a café or brunch restaurant* Strong knowledge of brunch cuisine and modern café food* Experience creating menus from scratch* Passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients* Excellent organisational and time management skills* Ability to work in a fast-paced environment* Strong understanding of food safety and HACCP standards* Creative mindset with attention to detail* Positive attitude and strong teamwork skills* Ability to work independently and take ownership of the kitchen⸻

Ideal Candidate

• We’re looking for someone who:* Loves creating beautiful café food* Understands current brunch trends* Can balance creativity with operational efficiency* Takes pride in consistency and presentation* Wants to grow alongside a young and ambitious café* Is proactive, reliable and passionate about hospitality