Jobs for head chefs
Looking for a head chef job? You want to know who is in the brigade, what is expected of you and which decisions you can make. We discuss those things before you make a choice.
NovaChef works with hotels, restaurants and caterers that take their kitchen seriously. Browse vacancies or register with your preferences. Our service is completely free for candidates.
What do you want from a head chef role?
Do you want to spend most of your time cooking? Or more time on the team, organisation and menu? How your working week is divided varies from one venue to another.
Look at brigade size, opening hours and your responsibilities. Who writes the rota? Who chooses suppliers? How is absence covered?
A restaurant kitchen and a hotel with several outlets may use the same job title but need different things from you. Ask about the daily work.
What do we discuss with you?
At the intake with Saartje, Juri or Thomas, we talk about your experience. Have you built a brigade, organised a busy operation or introduced a new menu? Tell us what your role was and the kind of venue you worked in.
We also want to know what you would change about your current job. Fewer split shifts, a shorter commute or clearer agreements on your authority? We ask which three things matter most to you.
Tell us your salary expectations, the hours they are based on and when you can start. We also take your availability for interviews into account.
From the first conversation to an offer
After the intake come an introduction to the employer, an interview and a reference check. There is then a second interview or a trial shift. If you both want to proceed, an offer follows.
Frequently asked questions
Is a head chef the same as a chef-kok?
These terms are often used for similar roles, but the details vary by employer. Look at responsibility for the team, menu, costs and daily organisation.
Can I also look for an executive head chef role?
You can select executive head chef as your preferred role when you register. Describe your experience with larger teams, several kitchens or wider responsibility. Whether a suitable vacancy is available depends on the current jobs.
Why do some vacancies not show the company name?
NovaChef publishes some vacancies without the company name. For those roles, we tell you who the employer is during the first conversation, so you can assess the working environment.
Browse vacancies or get in touch
Tell us the kind of venue you are looking for and the conditions that matter to you. You do not need to have found a specific vacancy to register.