Lead the kitchen team as Head Chef at YO! Restaurant in Exeter, taking full ownership of service, quality, safety and team development in a fast-paced, high-energy setting. YO! is an established UK Japanese dining brand known for fresh food and iconic conveyor-belt restaurants. Standout perks include free YO! food every shift and funded professional qualifications up to degree level.
- Free YO! food every shift
- Funded qualifications up to degree
- Private medical plan and EAP
Head Chef
Operations - Exeter
Contract: Full Time
Salary
£37,300 - £39,300Contracted Hours: 45
At Yo! Sushi, we serve up fresh food, fast-paced energy, and a dining experience like no other. Think iconic conveyor belts, bold Japanese flavours, and a team that brings the vibe every single day.
With 30+ restaurants across the UK since 1997, we’re a brand that’s built on innovation, quality, and great people.
Whether it’s a quick lunch or a catch-up with friends, we create memorable experiences for every guest—and it all starts with our teams. If you’re passionate, energetic, and ready to thrive in a busy environment, you’ll fit right in.
Join us and be part of something fast, fun, and full of flavour.
We’re looking for a passionate, driven Head Chef to lead from the front and bring energy, creativity, and excellence to our kitchens at YO!
- A natural leader and role model, with a strong appetite for success and a focus on delivering exceptional results.
- Ambitious and curious, with a genuine desire to keep learning and developing both personally and professionally.
- Pride taken in every detail, always striving to achieve the highest standards.
- A positive, enthusiastic mindset that lifts the team and creates a great working environment.
- Confidence to embrace challenges in a fast-paced setting, with a proactive, can-do attitude.
- Motivated to play a key part in our journey and contribute to the ongoing success of YO!
As Head Chef, you’ll take full ownership of the kitchen—leading the team, delivering great food every time, and creating an environment where people feel supported and proud of what they do.
You’ll be:
• Leading, motivating, and developing the kitchen team
• Ensuring every dish is fresh, consistent, and beautifully presented
• Managing service with calm leadership and clear communication
• Working closely with the General Manager to deliver a great overall experience
• Training and developing your team to build strong future talent
• Maintaining high standards across food quality, safety, and cleanliness
• Managing stock, deliveries, and kitchen organisation
• Creating a positive, inclusive, high energy kitchen culture
• Driving consistency, structure, and continuous improvement
We're proud to offer:
- Fantastic working hours
- Free YO! food - What's your favourite YO! dish? Every time you work you can power your shift with a selection of your choice from our fantastic menu
- Grow with YO!- we will pay for you to achieve professional qualifications (up to Degree level) whilst you work
- Brilliant support services designed to enhance your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including private medical health plan and 24/7 Employee Assistance Line
- Discounted gym membership, cinema tickets, dining out and retail offers are all available by accessing our reward platform
- 50% off your food every time you dine with us for you and 3 friends
- Award-winning sustainability initiatives - We're committed to delivering progress against 9 UN sustainability goals, just some of the actions we've already taken