Chef – Traditional Pakistani Cuisine

Caterham, Surrey, United Kingdom

We are seeking a qualified and experienced Chef who specialises in authentic Pakistani cuisine to join our professional kitchen team. This role is ideal for a culinary professional with a passion for traditional regional flavours, including but not limited to Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, and Mughlai dishes. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining high culinary standards, ensuring food hygiene compliance, managing kitchen stock, and contributing to the smooth operation of a busy restaurant.

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Key Responsibilities

Prepare and cook a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes, including tandoori items, curries, biryanis, snacks, and breads.

Plan, prep, and execute menu items to consistent high standards.

Ensure compliance with all food safety and hygiene regulations.

Maintain cleanliness and organisation of the kitchen at all times.

Monitor and manage stock levels, ordering, and waste control.

Train and supervise junior kitchen staff when required.

Collaborate with the management team to develop and improve menu offerings.

Adhere to health & safety protocols and kitchen SOPs.

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Requirements

Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in a commercial kitchen setting, specialising in Pakistani cuisine.

Level 2 or above Food Safety & Hygiene Certification (must be current).

Strong understanding of kitchen safety, HACCP, allergen management, and best practices.

Fluent in spoken and written English; able to communicate effectively with kitchen and front-of-house staff.

Literacy and numeracy skills required for reading recipes, stock management, and writing prep lists or logs.

Experience with stock control, food cost management, and maintaining kitchen records.

Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Professional, punctual, and team-oriented.

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Desirable Skills

Formal culinary training or certification.

Multi-regional Pakistani culinary knowledge (e.g., Kashmiri, Hyderabadi, street food specialities).

Experience working in branded or high-volume restaurants.

Familiarity with food portioning, wastage reduction, and profit margins.

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We Offer

A supportive and professional working environment.

Opportunities for career progression.

Staff meals during shifts.

Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.