The Group

Hoppers was founded by JKS Restaurants and Karan Gokani in October 2015. The first Hoppers in Soho was inspired by toddy shops, home cooking and roadside stalls of Sri Lanka and South India, and served its namesake Hoppers alongside Dosas, Kothu, Short Eats, Rice and Roasts. The acclaim soon followed with reviews from London Evening’s Standard’s Fay Maschler and the late Sunday Times critic A.A. Gill who applauded Hoppers for its “seductive, comehither menu” and “spectacular, impressive, authentic, confident and swaggering kitchen”. The restaurant went on to secure its Michelin Bib Gourmand in its first year.

Following the success of Hoppers Soho, a second Hoppers at Marylebone’s St Christopher’s Place, themed around the iconic Tropical Modernist movement of the late Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, opening in September 2017. Hoppers King’s Cross, the third and largest of the three restaurants opened in February 2020 inspired by the much-travelled coastal journey from Colombo, the island’s capital, to the historical Dutch town of Galle.

Over the past ten years, Hoppers has won several awards and is recognised as one of the leading South Asian restaurant brands in the UK and internationally. Over the coming years, Hoppers has plans to grow across the UK and Internationally providing numerous opportunities for its team members to develop and take on new and exciting roles.

The Position

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of consistent, high quality and innovative dishes; you will play a key role in kitchen management, hygiene, health and safety, menu innovation and recruitment working closely with the Group Executive Chef. You will manage the overall kitchen operation, including staffing, prep schedules, stock control, budgeting and maintenance, as well as the day to day management of the kitchen team.

If you have the following, then we want to hear from you:

• Minimum 2 year experience as a Sous Chef or above of a leading independent restaurant.
• Sound knowledge of kitchen procedures and systems, including ordering, payroll, stock management, recruitment and HR.
• 5 years experience in an Indian or Sri Lankan restaurant or hotel kitchen and sound experience of the cuisine.
• Strong awareness of trends and seasonality of produce;
• A highly creative approach to your work with excellent attention to detail;
• Proven ability to manage, train and motivate a Kitchen brigade;
• Experience in managing staff costs, scheduling and reviewing staff rotas;
• Strengths in finances, purchasing and menu costing;
• A working knowledge of health and safety, compliance and procedures;

This is a very exciting opportunity not to be missed for a talented Head Chef eager to join a restaurant group with ambitious plans.

Benefits & Culture

Our team is the most important part of our business, translating our passion for genuine hospitality to our guests every day. We are proud to work with industry-leading talent and recognise the importance of offering our teams the tools, guidance and experience necessary to build confidence and grow.

We encourage you to bring your whole self to work and celebrate the skills and characteristics that make you unique. Your commitment to be kind and work hard comes with a range of benefits such as:

Treat Yourself

• Monthly JKS Dining Out Allowance
• Up to 50% off dining across JKS Restaurants
• Retail & Takeaway Discounts
• Code App Membership
• Company tech scheme

Look After Yourself

• Discounted Gym Membership
• Wagestream – stream your pay earlier
• Company Donations for your involvement with Charities
• Cycle to work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Access to Financial Advice
• Wedding Gift & New-born Care Package - Celebrating your big occasions
• Season Ticket Loan

Progress Yourself

• Access to our fantastic L&D Calendar
• A personalised learning & development plan to develop your skills and knowledge
• Career progression with a fast-growing, critically acclaimed restaurant group.

Be Yourself

• Additional holiday for every year with us (rising to 30 days)
• Employee referral scheme - paying up to £600 per referral
• Staff parties & long service awards

JKS Restaurants

JKS Restaurants was founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam, and Sunaina Sethi in November 2008. Since its inception, the group has received critical acclaim and industry recognition, including 7 Michelin stars, 4 Michelin Bib Gourmands, a restaurant ranked among the World’s 100 Best Restaurants, and a spot in the Sunday Times Best 100 Places to Work 2024.

The JKS portfolio currently features Michelin-starred restaurants such as Trishna, Gymkhana, Kitchen Table, Sabor, and Lyle’s, along with cult favourites Hoppers, BAO, Brigadiers, Berenjak, Plaza Khao Gaeng, Speedboat Bar, Bibi, and Ambassadors Clubhouse. Pubs include The Cadogan Arms, The George and The Hound.

JKS Restaurants offers a unique opportunity to pursue a career in fine dining or to develop within trend-focused casual cuisine, with opportunities across all disciplines for those looking to advance their careers within a people-focused, collaborative hospitality group.