Head Chef

About the role

Our client, a growing restaurant in Colombo, is seeking an energetic and ambitious Head Chef who is passionate about Sri Lankan cuisine and culinary innovation. This senior, management‑level role involves leading the kitchen, developing the team, and shaping the menu to support the restaurant’s growth.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, manage, train and motivate the kitchen team.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations and ensure efficient service delivery.
• Maintain consistency in food quality, presentation, taste and portion sizes.
• Contribute creatively to menu development with a focus on Sri Lankan flavours and locally sourced ingredients.
• Establish and maintain kitchen SOPs, preparation systems and cleaning schedules.
• Manage food costing, portion control, wastage and overall kitchen profitability.
• Oversee stock control, inventory, ordering and supplier coordination.
• Prepare kitchen rosters and manage staffing requirements.
• Uphold high standards of food safety, hygiene and kitchen cleanliness.
• Ensure the kitchen is fully prepared for busy and peak service periods.
• Collaborate with ownership and restaurant management to improve operations.
• Identify and resolve operational issues independently.
• Take full responsibility for the kitchen in the absence of senior management.

Required profile

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or senior kitchen leader.
• Strong professional kitchen experience with a solid understanding of kitchen operations.
• Genuine interest in Sri Lankan cuisine, flavours and ingredients.
• Desire to learn, develop and contribute creative flavours beyond an existing menu.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, train and motivate a team.
• Organised, disciplined, dependable and consistent.
• Ambitious about building a long‑term career and growing with the restaurant.

Required skills

• Food costing and portion control.
• Stock control and inventory management.
• Developing and maintaining kitchen SOPs.
• Roster planning and staff scheduling.

What we offer

• Full service charge.
• Two days off per week.
• Full‑time employment.