Chef Recruitment in London
Chefs are the hardest permanent hire in London hospitality. Cookaburra is a specialist chef recruitment agency that places Head Chefs, Sous Chefs, Pastry Chefs and kitchen leaders across London's restaurants, hotels, members clubs and private dining venues on a permanent basis.
Get in TouchWhy Use a Specialist Recruiter for Chef Roles?
We recruit chefs differently. Cookaburra's founder started as a dishwasher at 16 and cooked through Michelin-starred kitchens in London, which means we understand what a great chef looks like far beyond their CV. We assess knife skills, kitchen temperament, leadership style and long-term ambition before making any recommendation. Every chef we place is permanent, personally vetted and reference-checked. You pay only when we find the right one.
Cookaburra is a London hospitality recruitment agency founded by someone who has worked the industry from the ground up, starting as a dishwasher in Perth at 16, through to Michelin-starred kitchens in London. Every placement is permanent, and every recommendation is personal.
We don't fill seats. We find people who fit.
The SHRM Workforce Research (2023) found that 68 per cent of hospitality workers leave within their first year. A bad hire costs up to three times the role's annual salary, and key positions in London sit unfilled for an average of six weeks. Permanent recruitment, done well, solves all three problems at once.
Permanent Only
No temp placements. We build teams that stay.
Industry-Led
Founded by a hospitality professional, not a generalist recruiter.
No Placement, No Fee
You only pay when we find the right person.
London-Based
Local knowledge, city-wide reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to find a Chef in London?+
Most Chef placements are completed within 2–4 weeks. Senior roles may take 4–6 weeks depending on the market. We present a curated shortlist of personally vetted candidates.
How much does Chef recruitment cost?+
Cookaburra operates on a no placement, no payment model. You only pay a fee when we successfully place a candidate in your team. There are no upfront costs or retainers.
Do you guarantee Chef placements?+
Yes. All Cookaburra placements come with a rebate period. If a placed Chef leaves within the rebate window, we will conduct a replacement search at no additional cost.
Why use a specialist recruiter for Chef roles?+
Chef roles require specific technical and cultural fit that generalist recruiters often miss. Cookaburra's founder has worked in hospitality, so we know what a great Chef looks like beyond the CV.
Looking for work? Browse hospitality jobs and submit your application as a candidate.
Chef Jobs →More Roles We Recruit
Let's Talk About Your Next Hire.
Book a free 15-minute call or send an enquiry. We respond within one business day.