Head Chef

Position: Head Chef at Javá Rooftop Vida Plena is an innovative hospitality group founded in Lisbon in 2018, dedicated to making our guests and team feel truly at home. We pride ourselves on delivering warm, blissful experiences, fostering a diverse and inclusive atmosphere, serving top-quality fresh food, and providing exceptional service. Our foundation is built on passion, respect, kindness, ambition, and modernity, alongside a commitment to joy, positive energy, and a laid-back approach to enjoying life's best moments. At Vida Plena, we embrace the true essence of hospitality while adhering to our core values, creating a fun, respectful, and loving environment for all. The Role As Head Chef at Javá, you will take full ownership of the kitchen, leading a team that delivers consistently delicious food while maintaining a positive, collaborative culture. This is a hands-on role where you'll oversee everything from menu execution and team leadership to efficiency, cost control, and supplier relationships. You will work closely with the Javá Operations Manager to ensure that the kitchen runs seamlessly, aligning with Vida Plena's standards and values. Your Key Responsibilities Operational Efficiency Oversee all culinary operations, including the main kitchen, pop-up kitchen, and production kitchen, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and excellence in every dish served. Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, and timing. Ensure every dish embodies balance, flavor, and high-quality ingredients while respecting cost structures. Team Leadership & Development Lead, mentor, and motivate a team of cooks and kitchen staff, fostering a supportive and high-energy environment. Train and develop the team, ensuring strong technical skills, consistency, and efficiency across all stations. Promote clear communication and strong collaboration between BOH and FOH teams. Supplier & Ingredient Sourcing Work closely with producers, suppliers, and farmers to source top-quality ingredients that align with Javá's ethos. Keep sustainability at the heart of sourcing, prioritizing fresh, local, and seasonal produce. What We Expect From You Experience: 5+ years leading kitchen teams in a high-volume environment. Leadership: Ability to inspire and develop a team, fostering a culture of trust, learning, and excellence. Operational Efficiency: Skilled in optimizing workflows, problem-solving, and maintaining efficiency in fast-paced settings. Understanding of Cost & Operations: Experience managing food costs, labor efficiency, and kitchen budgets. Passion for Quality: A deep respect for high-quality ingredients, simple but excellent cooking, and consistency. Calm & Composed: Thrives in a fast-paced environment, leading with focus and adaptability under pressure. Why Join Vida Plena? Culture of Excellence - Join a team that values quality, passion, and attention to detail. Ingredient-Driven Mentality - Work with high-quality ingredients, sourced with care, and build relationships with top suppliers. Collaborative & Supportive Team - Partner with Operations, Logistics, HR, and more to ensure a smooth, well-run kitchen. Opportunities for Growth - Vida Plena is expanding, offering career progression and new, exciting projects. First 100 Days Immerse - Get to know the team, the kitchen flow, and the heart of Javá's menu. Observe, listen, and understand what works and where we can improve. Collaborate - Build strong relationships with suppliers, the Operations team, and FOH staff to ensure seamless execution and consistency. Lead & Train - Set the tone for the team, ensuring that training, communication, and teamwork are priorities from day one. Optimize Operations - Review costs, efficiency, and procurement, implementing changes that enhance both quality and profitability. At Vida Plena, we believe that great food comes from a place of care - care for ingredients, for the team, and for the guests who walk through our doors. If this feels like the right fit for you, we'd love to hear from you.