The Restaurant

Located at the edge of Borough Market. BAO serves innovative Asian dishes in an informal, fast-paced,BAO Borough has Yakitori grill, grab & go hatch and Karaoke room. Bao's goal is to create restaurants that offer a different experience to each other, inspired by our founder's upbringing and travels around Asia. Each restaurant within the group has a unique menu and a different story.

The Position

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.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading the kitchen team and overseeing smooth day-to-day operations
• Managing prep schedules, stock control, ordering, and maintenance
• Ensuring consistent quality and presentation across every dish
• Supporting and developing your team — training, coaching, and building a positive culture
• Owning kitchen performance — including costings, rota planning, and food safety standards

What we’re looking for:

• Experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous in a quality-focused kitchen
• A deep understanding of kitchen systems, organisation, and structure
• A sharp eye for detail and high standards in every aspect of service
• The ability to lead with kindness, clarity, and confidence
• Strong skills in costing, rota management, and health & safety compliance

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 can look forward to:

Growth & Development

• A supportive, people-first culture that puts development at the heart of everything
• Access to the School of BAO — our in-house training platform
• Personalised development plans to help you shape your future

Lifestyle Perks

• Dining discounts across 30+ restaurant brands
• Curated wine and meat supplier access at trade prices
• Discounts on BAO retail and takeaway

Taiwan Travel Club

• A chance to visit Taiwan and immerse yourself in the food and culture that inspires everything we do

Milestone Perks

• Special rewards to celebrate your time with us — from anniversaries to achievements

Extra Time Off

• Additional holiday allowance as you grow with us

Wellbeing

• Mental health support through Kelly’s Cause
• A balanced work structure — including a 6-shift week to help protect your energy

Celebrations & Culture

• Two big company 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 7 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.