Senior Cook / Kitchen Lead – New International Restaurant
Location: Colares
Employment type: [Contract leading to fulltime]
Salary: [To be discussed]
Start date: [Within 2 weeks]
About the Restaurant
We are preparing to launch a new restaurant with an original international menu featuring meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan dishes.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a new restaurant project at an early stage and play an important role in establishing the kitchen, menu execution, systems and day-to-day operations.
We are not looking for an Executive Chef. We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Senior Cook / Kitchen Lead who combines strong cooking ability with practical kitchen management and organisation.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape how the kitchen operates from the ground up.
The Role
You will be responsible for ensuring that the kitchen operates efficiently, consistently and to a high standard.
This is a hands-on position. You will be expected to cook, organise and manage the kitchen rather than simply supervise others.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Preparing and cooking a diverse international menu
- Working confidently with meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan ingredients
- Following and helping develop recipes, preparation methods and kitchen procedures
- Working with original/unique dishes rather than relying solely on standard or traditional recipes
- Establishing consistent preparation, portioning and presentation standards
- Organising daily kitchen workflow and preparation schedules
- Maintaining excellent food hygiene, cleanliness and food-safety standards
- Managing stock, ingredients, ordering and inventory
- Monitoring food waste, portion control and product usage
- Receiving and checking deliveries
- Helping establish kitchen systems, procedures and processes
- Maintaining an organised and efficient kitchen
- Coordinating with suppliers and management
- Helping train and guide other kitchen staff as the restaurant develops
- Maintaining consistency and quality during service
- Identifying problems and finding practical solutions
What We Are Looking For
The ideal candidate will have:
- Minimum 5 years of professional cooking experience
- Strong practical cooking skills across a variety of cuisines and ingredients
- Experience working with meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan food
- Good knowledge of professional kitchen hygiene and food-safety practices
- Experience with kitchen organisation, workflow and preparation systems
- Experience with stock control, inventory and ordering
- The ability to work independently and take responsibility
- Good organisational and time-management skills
- A practical, hands-on approach to kitchen management
- The ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure
- An interest in working with new and creative dishes
- The ability to follow recipes accurately while also contributing ideas and improvements
- Fluent English and Portuguese
- Good communication and teamwork skills
- A professional attitude and strong work ethic
An Important Part of This Position
This restaurant is being developed around a unique menu, so we are particularly interested in someone who enjoys learning new dishes and working with recipes and processes that may be different from what they have previously prepared.
You should be comfortable asking questions, testing preparation methods, providing constructive feedback and helping us establish practical kitchen procedures.
You do not need to have been an Executive Chef or run a large brigade. We are more interested in someone with strong practical experience, good judgement, organisation and the ability to take ownership of a kitchen.
Required Application
Please apply with an up-to-date CV showing your relevant professional cooking experience.
Applications without an up-to-date CV may not be considered.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview and may be asked to participate in a practical cooking assessment.
Please include your current location, availability and salary expectations with your application.
We are looking for someone who wants to be part of building something new—not simply filling a position.
Job Type: Contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: From 1,190.50€ per month
Work Location: In person
