Job Description

Second Chef (Pizza Chef) - ACE Pizza Victoria Park

Location: 126-128 Lauriston Road, London, E9 4LH

Salary: Up to 18 per hour (London Living Wage base + tronc)

Hours: Full-time, 45 hours maximum per week (evenings and weekends included)

About the Role

We're on the lookout for a skilled and passionate Pizza Chef to join us as Second-in-Command at our new Victoria Park restaurant. You'll work side-by-side with our Head Pizza Chef, fulfilling an essential part of our kitchen leadership team -- from dough prep and shaping, to oven finesse and team management.

ACE Pizza will open its first restaurant in Victoria Park this summer. Our 'biga' dough pizza combines Neapolitan chew and char with New York-style structure and foldability--a uniquely 'London-style' pizza. We take pride in every pizza that leaves our kitchen. That means crafting everything in-house -- dough, sauces, toppings -- and maintaining the highest standards in quality, consistency, and creativity. An expanded menu will showcase our pizza sandwiches, alongside Italian-American sides and soft-serve ice cream.

We're looking for chefs with at least two years of professional kitchen experience, and we particularly encourage women and those from other culinary areas to apply.

As Second Chef, you'll have lots of pizza-making experience, lead with calm confidence, and thrive in a fast-paced kitchen. You'll support the Head Pizza Chef in running a slick and successful kitchen operation. While the key responsibilities are outlined below, flexibility and adaptability are essential in this role.

Your Key Responsibilities

Dough Management: Mix, shape, proof, and troubleshoot dough -- maintaining records and standards. Service Leadership: Run the pizza station during busy services -- hand-stretching, topping, and managing the oven. Team Supervision: Lead the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence -- assign tasks, support staff, and ensure smooth prep. Prep & Stock: Oversee prep schedules, stock rotation, and ordering -- ensuring the kitchen never runs dry. Training: Mentor junior team members, ensuring recipe adherence and high standards. Operational Communication: Coordinate with FOH and management to ensure seamless service and timely updates. Quality Control: Guarantee consistent pizza excellence -- leoparding crust, charred base, quick ticket times. Hygiene & Safety: Uphold food safety standards, lead daily clean-downs, and assist with deep cleans. Take pride in appearance and the standards by which the team present themselves.

Who You Are

At least 2 years' experience in a professional pizza kitchen. Confident leading a team and maintaining a high standard under pressure. Expert in hand-stretching and shaping dough during busy services. Experienced in dough mixing and fermentation (training can be provided). Calm, organised, and quality-obsessed. Holder of a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willing to obtain within 3 months). Excellent problem-solving skills with a positive, can-do attitude. Comfortable working with all stakeholders, from customers to suppliers and EHO. Right to live and work in the UK.

Perks & Benefits

30 days annual leave - 2 extra days! (pro rata up to 45 hours per week) 1 additional community impact leave day every year Increased employer pension contribution after Y1 CODE Hospitality membership for industry discounts Free food, tea, coffee, fruit and filtered water on shift ACE Pizza merchandise allocation (50% off at other times) Uniform budget Family & Friends Voucher 50% off food, 25% off drink (off shift) Team library fund Bi-annual team socials

Tips and service charge

100% of monthly tips and gratuities shared fairly by end of following month via an assigned troncmaster

Closing Date For Applications:

ASAP, rolling process

We'll endeavour to contact everyone who applies, although we can't guarantee feedback in the early stages. This is a rolling process and we may contact suitably qualified candidates in advance of the closing date.

ACE Pizza is a London Living Wage employer (accreditation pending). We particularly welcome applications from women, who are currently under-represented in some roles within the hospitality industry. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Please contact us if you require any assistance with the application process.

We are an equal opportunities employer and all qualified applicants will be considered.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 18.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 45 per week

Benefits:

Additional leave Company events Company pension Discounted or free food Employee discount
Schedule:

10 hour shift 12 hour shift 8 hour shift Day shift Weekend availability
Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 14/07/2025