Nestled in the heart of Soho, our original BAO site opened in 2015 and quickly became a cult favourite - earning critical acclaim and holding onto a Michelin Bib Gourmand for an impressive nine years running. Inspired by the lively Xiao Chi houses of Taiwan, BAO Soho is where the journey began: serving up fluffy signature BAOs and bold Taiwanese small eats in a buzzing, intimate space.

At BAO, no two restaurants are the same. Each one is a creative chapter in our story - shaped by the founders’ memories, travels across Asia, and a deep love for storytelling through food. Soho is where it all started, and it continues to set the tone for our mission: to bring new and exciting dining experiences to life, one BAO at a time.

At BAO, we care about doing things properly - from the quality of our ingredients to how we run our kitchens. This role is all about consistency, standards, and leading by example. You’ll work closely with the Executive Chef to deliver our menus to the highest standard, manage the day-to-day kitchen operation, and support your team to do their best work.

This is a key leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, quality-led environment and is looking to take the next step in their culinary career.

What you’ll be doing:

- Supporting the Head Chef in running smooth, efficient day-to-day kitchen operations
- Leading service and maintaining quality, consistency, and presentation across every dish
- Managing prep schedules, ordering, stock control, and kitchen organisation
- Coaching and supporting junior team members — helping build a kind and capable kitchen culture
- Assisting with rota planning, costings, and food safety compliance

What we’re looking for:

- Experience as a Senior Sous Chef or strong Sous Chef in a quality-focused kitchen
- Confident in kitchen systems and structure - you know what ‘good’ looks like
- A calm, organised and detail-focused approach to leadership
- Someone who leads with kindness, communicates clearly, and sets a great example on shift

The Benefits

We want working at BAO to feel like stepping into a warm, fluffy bao — soft, supportive, and full of good stuff. Here's what you'll get as part of the team:

Work-Life Balance

- 6 shifts across 5 days, with a maximum of one double shift
- Paid overtime
- Rotas released two weeks in advance so you can plan ahead

Growth & Development

- Personalised development plans tailored to your goals
- Access to School of BAO — workshops, talks, and hands-on training to help you master your craft

Perks & Discounts

- 50% off food and drink across all BAO and JKS restaurants
- Access to curated wine and meat suppliers at trade prices
- Discounts on BAO retail and takeaway items

Rewards & Recognition

- BAOcoin — earn rewards for living BAO values, then spend them in the BAOshop
- BAO Pyramid Scheme — earn up to £500 for referring someone to join the team

Milestones

- Extra holiday and perks to celebrate work anniversaries and milestones

Celebrations

- Two company-wide parties a year: Wei Ya and Moon Festival BBQ
- BAO Social Clubs: Grandma’s Home Cooking Club, Hot Pot Supperclub, and more

The Group

BAO quite literally means steamed bun. But BAO means so much more than that, a cult brand with a cult following that aims to inspire with design through food. Founded in 2013 by family trio, Erchen Chang, Shing Tat Chung and Wai Ting Chung in a carpark in East London to now spanning 5 restaurants across London, where each has its own story of Taiwanese Culture with unique experience, narrative and menu.

At BAO we seek people who warm our souls through cooking and hospitality. We strive to cultivate an environment where our design is inspiring, where our unconventional way of thinking bring humour and innovation; our detail challenges you to do your best.