Chef Kok vacatures in Amsterdam

Senses is not just a restaurant – it’s a culinary experience in the vibrant heart of Amsterdam. In our open kitchen, the chefs create bold and artistic dishes where flavor, texture, and presentation come together in perfect harmony.

Each plate is a piece of “food art,” carefully crafted to surprise and delight our guests.

As a proud member of JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs, Senses has earned its reputation as one of the best fine dining restaurants in the Netherlands. Guests come to us for more than a meal – they come for a sensory journey where creativity, passion, and hospitality take center stage.

We are looking for an inspiring and ambitious Head Chef who shares our passion for gastronomy and is ready to lead our kitchen team in creating exceptional culinary experiences.

Your Role

As Head Chef, you are responsible for the overall management and performance of the kitchen. You lead, inspire, and develop your team while setting the culinary direction of Senses. Working closely with the restaurant management and service team, you ensure that every dish reflects our commitment to creativity, quality, and excellence.

You combine strong culinary expertise with excellent leadership and organizational skills, creating a kitchen environment where innovation, teamwork, and high standards go hand in hand.

Daily Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching, and developing the kitchen team, creating a positive and professional working environment.
• Developing creative, seasonal menus that reflect the identity and philosophy of Senses.
• Ensuring the highest standards of taste, presentation, consistency, and culinary quality.
• Overseeing daily kitchen operations, including preparation, service, planning, and organization.
• Managing food costs, stock levels, purchasing, and minimizing waste while maintaining premium quality.
• Ensuring compliance with HACCP regulations, food safety requirements, and hygiene standards.
• Recruiting, training, and mentoring kitchen staff, including Chef de Parties, commis chefs, and trainees.
• Collaborating closely with the restaurant management and service team to deliver an outstanding guest experience.
• Monitoring kitchen performance and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and creativity.
• Maintaining a well-organized, motivated, and collaborative kitchen team, even during busy services.

What We Expect From You

• Several years of experience in professional kitchens, including experience in a Head Chef, Sous Chef, or comparable leadership position.
• A strong background in fine dining and a genuine passion for creative gastronomy.
• Excellent culinary techniques, a refined sense of taste, and an eye for detail and presentation.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop a diverse kitchen team.
• Experience with menu development, food cost control, purchasing, and kitchen planning.
• A structured and hands-on approach, with the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• Strong communication skills in English and the ability to work effectively in an international team.
• A positive, energetic, and professional attitude, with a strong sense of responsibility.
• Living in or near the Amsterdam area.
• A flexible mindset and a continuous drive to innovate, learn, and improve.

What We Offer

• An excellent salary and secondary employment conditions.
• A full-time leadership position with room to shape the culinary identity of Senses.
• The opportunity to lead and develop an ambitious, creative, and international kitchen team.
• A collegial working environment where passion, creativity, and teamwork are valued.
• A personal training and development plan.
• Sponsored training to sharpen your skills and support your professional growth.
• A 50% discount at Senses Restaurant, Restaurant Bakboord, and all restaurants that are part of the JRE network.
• The opportunity to work in one of Amsterdam’s leading fine dining restaurants and as part of the JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs network.
• A workplace where passion and fun go hand in hand.

Soort dienstverband: Vaste baan, Fulltime

Salaris: Vanaf €4.000,00 per maand

Arbeidsvoorwaarden:

• Kerstpakket
• Pensioen
• Personeelskorting
• Reiskostenvergoeding

Ervaring:

• (sous) chef Fine-Dining: 1 jaar (Vereist)

Taal:

• Nederlands (Gewenst)

Licentie/certificaat:

• HACCP-certificaat (Vereist)
• Sociale Hygiëne (Vereist)

Werklocatie: Fysiek