We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Head Chef to lead the kitchen team at Happy Out Donnybrook.
This is a key leadership role within one of our busiest cafés. The Head Chef will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Donnybrook kitchen, while also overseeing the preparation of selected cooked meats and ingredients supplied to our Docklands café and other Happy Out locations.
The role requires strong organisation to balance these production requirements with the demands of a busy breakfast, brunch and lunch service.
Our Donnybrook menu is focused on brunch, sandwiches, toasties, salads and café dishes, with regularly changing specials. We are looking for someone who enjoys great food but also understands the importance of organisation, efficiency and consistency in a busy café kitchen.
Key ResponsibilitiesKitchen Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, motivate and manage the Donnybrook kitchen team.
- Create and manage weekly kitchen schedules and ensure appropriate staffing levels for expected trade.
- Set clear daily and weekly tasks for the kitchen team.
- Organise prep lists and allocate responsibilities to ensure the kitchen is fully prepared for service.
- Plan and coordinate the preparation of selected food items produced in Donnybrook for other Happy Out locations, ensuring this production is incorporated efficiently into the kitchen's weekly prep schedule.
- Train and develop chefs and kitchen staff, maintaining clear standards across the team.
- Create a positive, professional and enjoyable kitchen environment in line with the Happy Out ethos.
Service & Food Quality
- Take responsibility for the smooth running of breakfast, brunch and lunch service.
- Ensure dishes are prepared quickly, consistently and to the agreed Happy Out standard.
- Lead from the kitchen during busy services and support the team where required.
- Maintain excellent presentation, portion control and consistency across all dishes.
- Oversee the preparation of cooked meats and other selected ingredients for our Docklands café and other Happy Out locations, ensuring all items are produced to specification, labelled correctly and ready for scheduled deliveries.
- Identify opportunities to improve kitchen systems, preparation and service efficiency.
Menu Development
- Develop and regularly change focaccia sandwich, toastie and brunch specials.
- Work with the wider Happy Out team to develop new dishes and seasonal menu ideas.
- Ensure new dishes can be delivered consistently and efficiently within a high-volume café environment.
- Develop recipes, specifications and preparation methods so dishes can be reproduced consistently by the whole team.
- Balance creativity with food cost, preparation time and operational practicality.
Ordering, Stock & Cost Control
- Manage kitchen ordering and ensure appropriate stock levels are maintained.
- Monitor food usage, waste and portion control.
- Work to agreed food-cost targets and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary waste.
- Ensure appropriate stock and ingredients are available for both the Donnybrook kitchen and scheduled production for other Happy Out locations.
- Ensure deliveries are checked, stored correctly and rotated appropriately.
- Maintain an organised kitchen, fridge, freezer and dry-store system.
Food Safety & HACCP
- Take responsibility for maintaining excellent food safety and hygiene standards throughout the kitchen.
- Oversee HACCP records and ensure full compliance using our KitchTech system.
- Ensure cleaning schedules are completed and kitchen equipment is properly maintained.
- Ensure all staff understand and follow allergen, food safety and hygiene procedures.
- Ensure food prepared for delivery to other Happy Out locations is appropriately cooled, stored, labelled and handled in accordance with our food safety procedures.
- Maintain the kitchen to a standard that is ready for inspection at all times.
What We're Looking For
- Minimum 3 years' experience in a senior kitchen role, ideally including experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager.
- Experience managing a busy breakfast, brunch, café or high-volume daytime kitchen would be particularly valuable.
- Strong leadership and people-management skills.
- Excellent organisation and ability to plan prep, staffing, production and service.
- Experience creating staff schedules and managing kitchen labour.
- Strong understanding of food costing, ordering, stock management and waste control.
- Confidence developing new dishes and regularly changing specials.
- Strong understanding of HACCP and food safety requirements.
- HACCP Level 2 or Level 3 certification preferred.
- Calm and organised during busy services.
- A positive attitude and willingness to be hands-on and work alongside the team.
The Role
This is a hands-on Head Chef position. We are looking for someone who wants to take ownership of the kitchen rather than simply manage it from the sidelines.
You will have the freedom to bring new ideas to our Donnybrook menu while maintaining the quality, consistency and efficiency that our customers expect from Happy Out. You will also play an important role in ensuring the food produced in Donnybrook for our other cafés is consistently prepared to the same high standard.
The right person will be an important part of the wider Happy Out management team and will have the opportunity to help shape how our food offering develops as the business continues to grow.
If you love great café food, enjoy leading a team and want to take ownership of a busy and established kitchen, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: €37,500.00-€41,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Bike to work scheme
- Employee discount
Application question(s):
- Have you been to Happy Out?
Experience:
- Senior kitchen position: 3 years (preferred)
- Brunch : 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person
