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Chef de Partie – Deputy Kitchen Supervisor

French Cuisine & Pâtisserie

MARIAGE FRÈRES | Covent Garden, London | Full-Time

An exciting opportunity to join a prestigious French Maison in a hands-on culinary role, combining French cuisine, pâtisserie and supervisory responsibility with the discovery of tea gastronomy and predominantly daytime working hours.

Founded in Paris in 1854, MARIAGE FRÈRES is an internationally renowned luxury tea house, celebrated for its French heritage, exceptional collection of over 1,000 teas and pioneering approach to tea gastronomy.

Our landmark Covent Garden flagship brings together our Tea Boutique, Tea Room & Restaurant, Terrace and Private Dining, offering a distinctive experience combining fine teas and tea-inspired French cuisine.

We are looking for a talented, versatile and hands-on Chef de Partie – Deputy Kitchen Supervisor to join our small culinary team, support our Sous Chef and play a key role in the daily operation of our London kitchen.

The Opportunity

This is not a conventional Chef de Partie position within a large kitchen brigade. It is a fully hands-on culinary role within a small team, combining cooking, production and service with genuine supervisory responsibility as second-in-command of our London kitchen.

Working closely with our Sous Chef, you will actively participate in daily preparation, cooking and service while supporting the organisation and smooth running of the kitchen.

You will take responsibility for coordinating the kitchen team and maintaining service standards during the Sous Chef's regular days off, holidays and other absences.

This opportunity will particularly appeal to an ambitious Junior or Demi Chef de Partie ready to progress, an experienced Chef de Partie seeking greater responsibility, or a strong Senior Commis Chef with the skills and confidence to take the next step.

We are particularly interested in chefs with strong foundations in savoury cuisine, complemented by practical experience in pâtisserie and desserts, who can contribute confidently across both areas of our culinary offering.

Our restaurant offers a distinctive approach to French cuisine, where tea is an integral part of the culinary experience, inspiring savoury dishes, fine pâtisserie, Afternoon Tea and creative food-and-tea pairings.

You will have the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of tea gastronomy, cooking with tea and food-and-tea pairing, drawing on the Maison's exceptional expertise.

Working alongside our Sous Chef and within the culinary standards established by our Paris Headquarters, you will contribute to the consistent quality, organisation and performance of our London kitchen.

What You'll Do

Kitchen Operations & Supervisory Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and present our French-inspired savoury menu, lunch service and Afternoon Tea offering.
• Faithfully execute MARIAGE FRÈRES' established recipes, preparation methods, culinary techniques and presentation standards.
• Finish, assemble and present fine pâtisserie to the Maison's established specifications.
• Assist with the production of cakes, desserts and petits gâteaux.
• Support the Sous Chef in organising daily mise en place, preparation, production and service.
• Act as second-in-command, coordinating kitchen operations and supervising service during the Sous Chef's days off and absences.
• Support, guide and coordinate junior kitchen colleagues, ensuring efficient working practices and consistent standards.
• Maintain excellent standards of food quality, flavour, presentation, portioning and consistency.
• Assist with ordering, deliveries, stock rotation, inventory, food costs and wastage management.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety, allergen management, hygiene and Health & Safety requirements.
• Work closely with Front of House and support Private Dining, Afternoon Tea, events and seasonal activities.

Culinary Development & Tea Gastronomy

• Develop your knowledge of the Maison's extensive tea collection, tea-inspired cuisine, culinary applications and food-and-tea pairing.
• Support the consistent execution of established menus, recipes and presentation standards.
• Identify practical opportunities to improve kitchen organisation, production efficiency and food quality.
• Contribute ideas for savoury dishes, seasonal offerings and locally produced pâtisserie, working with the Sous Chef and within the approval framework established by Paris Headquarters.

Working With Paris

The MARIAGE FRÈRES culinary identity, menus, recipes, preparation methods and presentation standards are established and approved by our Paris Headquarters.

Your responsibility will be to faithfully execute and maintain these standards, working closely with the Sous Chef and ensuring consistency throughout preparation and service, including when supervising the kitchen in their absence.

Creativity and initiative are encouraged, and you will have the opportunity to contribute culinary ideas and practical recommendations through the Sous Chef and UK Management.

All new recipes, dishes and menu developments remain subject to Paris Headquarters' approval before implementation.

About You

We welcome applications from experienced Chefs de Partie, ambitious Junior or Demi Chefs de Partie and strong Senior Commis Chefs ready to take the next step.

You will bring:

• Strong professional savoury cooking skills, ideally within French or European cuisine, complemented by practical experience in pâtisserie and dessert preparation.
• The versatility and confidence to work across savoury cuisine, Afternoon Tea, pastry finishing and the production of cakes and desserts.
• The ambition, organisational skills and confidence to act as second-in-command and supervise a small kitchen team when required.
• The ability to coordinate, support and guide junior kitchen colleagues.
• Excellent attention to detail and a disciplined approach to following established recipes and culinary standards.
• Good knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP, allergen management and safe food handling.
• A genuine interest in discovering tea gastronomy, cooking with tea and food-and-tea pairing.
• A positive, reliable, proactive and genuinely hands-on attitude.
• Fluent professional English and the right to work in the UK.

Previous experience in French restaurants, luxury hospitality, pâtisserie or premium Afternoon Tea service would be advantageous.

French language skills are a strong advantage, given the Maison's French heritage and close collaboration with our Paris Headquarters and culinary teams. However, French is not essential for this position.

Previous specialist tea knowledge is not required. Training and guidance will be provided to develop your understanding of the Maison's teas, their culinary applications and food-and-tea pairing principles.

Working Hours & Lifestyle

Our London kitchen operates predominantly during the daytime, offering an attractive alternative to the regular late-night finishes often associated with traditional restaurant kitchens.

This is a full-time position of 40 paid working hours per week, normally spread across five days, with unpaid breaks.

While shifts are predominantly scheduled during the daytime, flexibility is required to work within our operational scheduling window of 6:30 am to 11:00 pm, including weekends, Bank Holidays, seasonal periods and Private Events. Working days and hours may vary according to business requirements.

What We Offer

• Predominantly daytime working hours.
• A genuine opportunity to become second-in-command of our London kitchen, gaining valuable supervisory and leadership experience.
• Career development opportunities within an internationally recognised French luxury Maison.
• Experience across French savoury cuisine, Afternoon Tea and pâtisserie.
• The opportunity to develop specialist expertise in tea gastronomy, cooking with tea and food-and-tea pairing.
• Close collaboration with our Sous Chef and the Maison's culinary teams in Paris.
• Competitive remuneration plus tronc.
• Private medical insurance following successful completion of the probationary period, subject to eligibility.
• Travel allowance.
• Meal allowance.
• Company pension scheme.
• Employee discount.
• Company uniform provided, with complimentary professional dry cleaning.
• 20 days' annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays.
• Comprehensive tea, product and culinary training.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.

Join MARIAGE FRÈRES

Whether you are ready to progress into your first Chef de Partie position or are an experienced chef seeking greater responsibility, supervisory experience and predominantly daytime working hours, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Join us in delivering exceptional French cuisine, exploring the world of tea gastronomy and contributing to the continued development of MARIAGE FRÈRES in London.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract, Permanent

Language:

• English (preferred)
• French (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person