Thai Restaurants jobs

Senior Chef / Wok Chef – Vietnamese Restaurant

Doux Chaton – Manchester
Full-time | Permanent

Doux Chaton is a modern Vietnamese restaurant built around Vietnamese soul food, family recipes and warm, generous hospitality.

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Chef / Wok Chef to lead our kitchen operation and help us maintain consistently high standards as the business grows.

This role would suit someone who is confident leading a busy kitchen, highly skilled on the wok, organised with prep and service, and passionate about developing a strong kitchen team.

The Role

As Head Chef, you will take ownership of the day-to-day running of the kitchen, working closely with the management and ownership team to deliver great food, strong kitchen systems and an efficient service.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing the kitchen team during prep and service
• Taking primary responsibility for wok cooking and maintaining consistency across dishes
• Preparing and cooking Vietnamese and Asian-inspired dishes to specification
• Training and developing chefs in wok technique, prep and kitchen standards
• Maintaining food quality, presentation and portion control
• Creating effective prep lists and ensuring the kitchen is fully prepared for service
• Managing stock levels, ordering and supplier deliveries
• Reducing food waste and supporting food-cost control
• Monitoring kitchen labour and productivity
• Maintaining excellent food hygiene, allergen and HACCP standards
• Ensuring cleaning schedules and kitchen standards are consistently maintained
• Supporting menu development, specials and recipe improvements
• Making sure recipes, specifications and portion sizes are followed consistently
• Supporting recruitment, training and performance management within the kitchen
• Creating a positive, professional and accountable kitchen culture
• Working closely with FOH management to deliver a smooth customer experience

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef, Senior Wok Chef or similar senior kitchen position
• Strong professional wok cooking experience
• Experience working in a high-volume restaurant kitchen
• Strong understanding of Asian or Vietnamese cooking techniques
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• The ability to remain organised and calm during busy services
• Strong knowledge of food safety, allergens and kitchen compliance
• Experience with ordering, stock control and waste management
• A good understanding of food costs, portion control and kitchen profitability
• High standards of cleanliness and attention to detail
• A willingness to lead by example and work hands-on alongside the team

Experience with Vietnamese cuisine is highly desirable, but we would also consider experienced chefs from Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, Southeast Asian or other wok-led kitchens.

About Doux Chaton

Doux Chaton celebrates Vietnamese food through the recipes and flavours we grew up with.

Our menu combines traditional Vietnamese dishes with a modern restaurant experience, with a focus on generous food, quality ingredients and genuine hospitality.

We are an independent and growing hospitality business, so this is an opportunity for the right person to have real input into how the kitchen develops rather than simply stepping into a rigid corporate structure.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Full-time permanent position
• Staff food and discounts
• Opportunities to develop within a growing hospitality group
• Input into menu development and kitchen systems
• A creative and ambitious independent working environment

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Experience:
Professional wok cooking: 2 years preferred
Kitchen management or senior chef experience: 2 years preferred

If you are an experienced chef who enjoys leading from the front, thrives in a busy service and takes pride in delivering consistently excellent food, we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a short introduction outlining your wok and kitchen management experience.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From £14.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Company events
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Store discount

Work Location: In person