Head Chef role leading the full kitchen operation at YO! Restaurant in Kingston, delivering consistently high-quality sushi and Japanese-inspired food in a fast-paced environment. YO! is a well-known global Japanese food brand (restaurants, kiosks and supermarket ranges). Standout perks include free YO! food on every shift and funded professional qualifications up to degree level.
- Fantastic working hours
- Free YO! food every shift
- Funded qualifications up to degree
Head Chef
Operations - Kingston
Contract: Full Time
Salary
£32,000 to £34,000Contracted Hours: 45
We burst onto the restaurant scene in 1997, when we shook up London and showed the UK a new way of eating. Part of this was the 'kaiten' conveyor belt and colour-coded dishes which made our name.
We're all about fresh, flavoursome, authentic Japanese food. Sushi is what we're famous for, but we also have a mouth-watering range of hot street food available - from traditional classics to innovative fusion dishes. All packed with rich, aromatic flavours and umami. Fast forward to today and we have over 70 restaurants all over the globe, more than 300 kiosks in the UK, with grocery products and pre-pack sushi in most major UK supermarkets.
We’re looking for an inspiring, hands on Head Chef who loves great food, thrives in a high energy environment, and knows how to bring out the best in a kitchen team. If you’re passionate about quality, consistency, and leading from the front—this could be your next move
About You – A Leader with Food at the Heart
You’re calm under pressure, confident in your craft, and passionate about creating great food while building a strong, positive kitchen culture.
You are:
• Passionate about food, especially sushi and Japanese inspired dishes
• An experienced kitchen leader who leads by example
• Detail driven, with high standards for quality and consistency
• Calm, organised, and confident during busy services
• Hands on and happy to be on the pass and on the floor
• A people focused leader who enjoys developing and motivating others
• Keen to grow, improve, and keep the kitchen moving forward
• Commercially aware, with experience managing stock, food costs, labour, and kitchen budgets
Key Responsibilities
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 <