Summary
More Details
Department/Team: Backstage Food and Beverage
Hours: 45 Hours per week, on a shift basis across Monday-Sunday (Monday to Saturday initially, but we may open on Sundays as the operation develops)
Location: Backstage, The Old Vic, The Cut, London, SE1 8NB
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Direct reports: Sous-chef, 3 x Chef de Parties, 2 x Kitchen Porters
Backstage
Backstage is a project for the future – a six-storey space for creativity, education and community right next door to our historic building.
Together with award-winning architects Haworth Tompkins, we have built a low-carbon building that includes:
- A welcoming public cafe and workspace during the day, which evolves into a vibrant bar and restaurant at night
- A Clore Learning Centre for our award-winning outreach work
- A Writers’ Room where creatives can work
- A free to use Script Library
- A modern and flexible rehearsal room which can transform into a Studio theatre
- An event space and terrace
We believe Backstage creates a stronger Old Vic for the future, providing a welcoming space for our generation and the next.
Within Backstage, the F&B offer is primarily centred around the ground floor and first-floor café and bar space – but also extends to event catering provision and a grab-and-go offer for the theatre.
With an overall capacity of 181 (61 covers) across the two floors, Backstage will be open.
The daytime artisanal café will serve the very best coffee, coupled with delicious baked goods. A comfortable place where culture meets great coffee in a vibrant and dynamic space.
This same space then seamlessly transitions into an enticing evening bar – a destination. A socially inspired bar/dining offer; celebrating cultural diversity, vibe and buzz in a stylish and comfortable environment coupled with a strong ‘sense of place’ as an intrinsic part of The Old Vic as a whole.
The food offer will be based on conviviality and sharing – built around the concept of small plates.
The Team
The Backstage F&B team is responsible for all Food & Beverage related activity within Backstage and The Old Vic theatre itself. The kitchen team is central to this; and includes the Head Chef, Sous Chef, Chef de Parties and KPs.
Key Responsibilities:
Kitchen & Operations
- Oversee daily kitchen operations and food preparation.
- Develop and cost seasonal menus aligned with budget and brand.
- Manage food costs, wastage, and GP with Finance support.
- Ensure high standards of food safety, hygiene, and cleanliness.
Team Management
- Lead, train, and develop kitchen staff.
- Conduct appraisals and manage performance.
- Promote a positive, efficient, and safe work environment.
Customer Experience
- Ensure excellent customer service and act as a brand ambassador.
- Address feedback promptly and professionally.
Events & Catering
- Create menus for internal and external events.
- Work with the Events team and external caterers for smooth delivery.
Logistics & Compliance
- Manage stock levels and inventory.
- Produce daily kitchen briefings and reports.
- Uphold health & safety, sustainability, and diversity policies.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The post holder must be able to demonstrate the following:
Essential
- Proven experience of working as a Head Chef, leading a small team, in a similar sized venue
- A passion for food, local produce and ingredients, alongside demonstrable experience of creative approach to menu creation and development
- Experience of setting up a new kitchen operation
- Collaborative and hands on approach to team management
- Proven understanding of food safety and hygiene principles
- A proven ability to provide a high level of culinary skill in an often highly pressurised environment
- Highly motivated with a positive and flexible approach to work and ability to adapt quickly to new information and procedures
- IT literacy, with good experience of the Microsoft Office suite and Excel in particular.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven budgetary management and stock control
- A proven ability to work as both part of a team and independently
- Highly organised and good timekeeping.
Organisation
