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Free for Candidates · London · Central · Greater London

Find Your Place in London Hospitality.

Cookaburra connects career-driven hospitality professionals with permanent roles at London's finest venues. If you live and breathe hospitality, we want to hear from you.

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✓Free for Candidates, Always✓Permanent Placements Only✓London Hospitality Specialists

0%

free to apply

Senior Roles

London Only.

Front of house professional setting a table at an elegant restaurant in London

Our Promise

Free for

Candidates.

LDN

specialists

Why Cookaburra

What You Get When You Work With Us

There's no shortage of ways to look for work. Here's why hospitality professionals in London choose Cookaburra.

Roles That Aren't Advertised

Senior hospitality positions in London rarely appear on Reed or LinkedIn. Cookaburra works directly with venues, giving you access to opportunities before they ever go public.

A Personal Advocate

We present you with context and conviction. You're not a CV in a pile; you're someone we're personally recommending to venues we know and trust.

Complete Confidentiality

Currently employed? Your employer will never know you're exploring options. We never share your details with anyone without speaking to you first.

Free for Candidates, Always

Cookaburra's fee is paid by the employer on successful placement. There is no cost to you at any stage. Ever.

Wellness sauna facility
Included with every placement

Wellness Perks Included

Land a role through Cookaburra and you receive exclusive discounted access to our Wellness Perks Portfolio: gyms, sauna, pilates, yoga and more across London. At no cost to you.

GymsSaunaIce BathsPilatesMeditationYogaBreathworkSteamrooms+ more

Wellness Partner Benefits, Included With Every Placement

Eye of Hatha
Good Good Yoga
Kindred Yoga
LK Yoga & Wellness
Real Health
Strong Islington
Zao
Flo Yoga
More Yoga
Eye of Hatha
Good Good Yoga
Kindred Yoga
LK Yoga & Wellness
Real Health
Strong Islington
Zao
Flo Yoga
More Yoga
Who We Work With

We're Not a Job Board. We're Your Career Partner

We don't work with everyone who applies, and that's the point. We only represent professionals we'd genuinely recommend, so when we put your name in front of a client, it means something.

Hospitality Is Your Calling

You didn't fall into hospitality. You chose it. You talk about it, you read about it, and you'd do it even if there was an easier option.

You've Earned Your Stripes

You've worked in quality venues, taken on responsibility, and built a track record. You know the difference between good and exceptional.

Ready for Your Next Move

You're not just looking for a job. You're looking for the right role at the right venue. You want to grow, lead, and be part of something excellent.

Culture Matters to You

The best venues have teams that feel it. You care about the environment you work in, and you want to find somewhere you can stay and thrive.

The Roles We Place

Every Senior Role, Front and Back of House

If it's a senior hospitality role in London, we place it. Browse the categories below to see where you might fit.

Head chef and kitchen team working in a professional kitchen at a Perth restaurant

Currently viewing

Kitchen & Chefs

Currently viewing

Front of House

Currently viewing

Bar & Beverage

Currently viewing

Events & Hotels

Currently viewing

Specialty Food & Beverage

Kitchen & Chefs

Back of house leaders who command with craft and calm

Executive ChefHead ChefSous ChefChef de PartiePastry ChefLarder ChefGrill ChefSenior Cook

Front of House

The face of the venue, guest experience from first to last

Restaurant ManagerFront of House ManagerFloor ManagerMaître d'Reservations ManagerGuest Relations Manager

Bar & Beverage

Specialists who know every pour, every roast, every vintage

Bar ManagerBeverage ManagerHead BartenderSenior BartenderHead BaristaSommelier

Events & Hotels

Leaders built for scale, pressure and seamless delivery

Hotel ManagerFood & Beverage ManagerEvents ManagerFunctions ManagerCatering ManagerEvents Coordinator

Specialty Food & Beverage

Artisan producers and cellar doors where craft is everything

Cellar Door ManagerWinery ManagerHead ButcherButchery ManagerHead FishmongerSeafood Manager
Executive Chef·Head Chef·Sous Chef·Chef de Partie·Pastry Chef·Larder Chef·Grill Chef·Senior Cook·Restaurant Manager·Front of House Manager·Floor Manager·Maître d'·Reservations Manager·Guest Relations Manager·Bar Manager·Beverage Manager·Head Bartender·Senior Bartender·Head Barista·Sommelier·Hotel Manager·Food & Beverage Manager·Events Manager·Functions Manager·Catering Manager·Events Coordinator·Cellar Door Manager·Winery Manager·Head Butcher·Butchery Manager·Head Fishmonger·Seafood Manager·Executive Chef·Head Chef·Sous Chef·Chef de Partie·Pastry Chef·Larder Chef·Grill Chef·Senior Cook·Restaurant Manager·Front of House Manager·Floor Manager·Maître d'·Reservations Manager·Guest Relations Manager·Bar Manager·Beverage Manager·Head Bartender·Senior Bartender·Head Barista·Sommelier·Hotel Manager·Food & Beverage Manager·Events Manager·Functions Manager·Catering Manager·Events Coordinator·Cellar Door Manager·Winery Manager·Head Butcher·Butchery Manager·Head Fishmonger·Seafood Manager·

Don't see your role listed? Apply anyway and we'd love to hear from you.

The Process

What Happens After You Apply

Our vetting process is thorough, because our clients expect the best, and so do you.

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Step 01

Submit Your Application

Fill out the form below. Include your CV, any relevant certifications, and, importantly, photos or examples of your work.

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Step 02

In-Depth Interview with a Cookaburra Recruiter

If your application stands out, a Cookaburra recruiter will reach out personally for a conversation about your experience, goals, and what the ideal role looks like for you.

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Step 03

Reference Verification

We speak with previous employers to confirm your experience and work ethic. Honesty in your application matters here.

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Step 04

Matched to the Right Brief

When a client role matches your profile, we'll present you as part of a curated shortlist, never a bulk CV drop. You'll always know before we present you.

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Step 05

Check-Ins That Keep You Supported

We don't disappear once you start. At 4 weeks and 12 weeks we check in personally to make sure you're settling in well and the role is everything it was meant to be. We're here if anything needs addressing.

Show Us Your Work: This Sets You Apart

Anyone can write a CV. What we want to see is your craft. Include photos of dishes you've plated, service you've led, events you've run, or kitchens you've been proud to call yours. If you post your work on Instagram or LinkedIn, let us know. We love to see it. This is the part of the application that tells us who you really are as a hospitality professional.

Meet Alexander

Alexander founded Cookaburra with one conviction: that great hospitality professionals deserve a recruiter who actually understands their craft. He reads every application personally, not because it's efficient, but because it's the only way to get it right.

When you apply, you're not entering a database. You're starting a conversation with someone who cares about finding the right fit for you, not just filling a role.

Permanent Placements OnlyLondonPersonally Reviews Every Application
Alexander Scrase, founder of Cookaburra Recruitment
Apply Now

Submit Your Application

We read every application personally. Be honest, be specific, and show us what makes you exceptional.

This is the most important part of your application. Be specific, not what you think we want to hear, but what's genuinely true for you.

Required · PDF or Word · Max 3 MB

Optional · Barista certifications, food safety, sommelier qualifications, etc.

Show Us Your Work

This sets you apart. Share photos of your craft, or link us to your Instagram.

Optional · JPG or PNG · Max 3 MB each

Regarding sponsorship: Cookaburra does not directly offer work sponsorships. Some clients may be open to sponsoring the right candidate at their sole discretion, though this cannot be guaranteed. If sponsorship is relevant to you, please mention it in your passion statement above.

Data Collection Notice: Cookaburra Ltd is the data controller for the personal information you submit (including name, contact details, work history, CV, and portfolio materials). We process this data on the basis of legitimate interests to assess your suitability for hospitality roles. With your explicit prior consent, we may present your profile to prospective employers. We will always speak with you before doing so. Your data is stored securely and will not be shared without your knowledge. You have the right to access, correct, erase, restrict, or object to the processing of your data, and to lodge a complaint with the ICO. See our Privacy Policy for full details including retention periods.

We read every application personally. If there's a match, a Cookaburra recruiter will reach out directly.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with Cookaburra as a candidate. We only recruit permanently, London, always.

No. Cookaburra is completely free for candidates. Our fees are paid by the employer once a successful permanent placement is made. You'll never be asked to pay for anything.

Every application is personally reviewed by a Cookaburra recruiter. If there's a potential match, we'll reach out directly to arrange a conversation. If there isn't an immediate fit, we keep your details on file and the right opportunity may come up in the future.

Primarily, yes. Most of our clients are looking to fill senior or senior-adjacent positions like Head Chef, Restaurant Manager, Bar Manager, and similar roles. If you're early in your hospitality career, we may not always have the right fit, but we'll be honest with you upfront.

It varies. Some candidates are placed within weeks; for others it may take several months to find the right match. We only present you for roles that genuinely suit your experience and goals. We don't rush it.

Completely. We will never share your details with any employer without your knowledge and consent. Before presenting you to a client, a Cookaburra recruiter will always speak with you first.

Yes. We regularly place candidates who are moving to London from elsewhere in the UK or from overseas. Be upfront about your timeline and current location when you apply, and we'll factor that into how we match you with opportunities. Most of our client venues are experienced in welcoming candidates who are in the process of relocating to the city.

We don't directly offer or arrange sponsorships. However, some client venues may be willing to sponsor the right candidate, though this is entirely at their discretion and can't be guaranteed. If sponsorship matters to you, mention it in your application and we'll be transparent about what's possible.

Our focus is London, a market we know intimately. We do not currently place roles outside London, but if you are relocating to the capital, we would love to hear from you.

Salaries vary significantly by role, venue, and experience level. We never send you into a conversation blind. Before presenting you to a client, we'll be upfront about the package on offer and make sure it aligns with your expectations. We advocate for fair, market-competitive compensation.

This is very common, and we handle it carefully. We will never approach your current employer or share your details with anyone without your explicit consent. Everything stays confidential until you're ready to move forward.

Honesty and specificity. Tell us about your best role and what you're genuinely looking for next, not what you think we want to hear. Show us your work: photos, Instagram, certifications. A well-designed CV that reflects your personality and creativity goes a long way too; we love seeing candidates who put thought into how they present themselves, not just a plain white page with text. The candidates who stand out are the ones who make their craft visible and their intentions clear.

Still have a question? Reach out via your application and include it in your passion statement.

Where We Place

Roles Across London

We place permanent hospitality professionals across Central and Greater London. Explore opportunities near you.

Central London

Placement Area

From Mayfair fine dining to Soho's buzzing independents, Shoreditch's creative scene and Islington's neighbourhood bistros, across every postcode in the heart of London.

MayfairSohoCovent GardenMaryleboneChelseaKensingtonFitzroviaBelgraviaCanary WharfThe CityCamdenShoreditchIslingtonNotting HillHackneyBrixtonClaphamPeckhamRichmondGreenwichHampstead

Greater London

Placement Area

Wimbledon, Croydon, Ealing and beyond, London's outer boroughs have a thriving hospitality scene and we recruit across them with the same rigour we apply everywhere.

WimbledonCroydonKingstonEalingStratfordWembleyBromleyLewishamChiswickBarnetEnfieldSuttonTootingBalhamHarrowHounslowIlfordRomfordDulwichCrystal Palace

Roles We Place Candidates In

Permanent senior roles across all front and back of house disciplines. Every role is personally vetted.

Head ChefSous ChefChef de PartieExecutive ChefPastry ChefGeneral ManagerRestaurant ManagerFront of House ManagerBar ManagerHead BaristaHead BartenderSommelierBeverage ManagerHotel ManagerFood & Beverage ManagerEvents ManagerCatering ManagerMaître d'Guest Relations ManagerReservations Manager

Wellness Perks, Included With Every Placement

Every candidate placed through Cookaburra receives discounted access to wellness facilities across London at no extra cost to you.

Gym MembershipsSauna AccessIce BathsPilatesMeditationYogaBreathworkSteamrooms

Based outside London? Apply anyway and we'd still love to hear from you.

Cookaburra Recruitment

London's specialist hospitality recruitment agency. Permanent placements only. Australian warmth. British hospitality. Exceptional people.

© 2026 Cookaburra Ltd trading as Cookaburra Recruitment  ·  Registered in England & Wales  ·  Co. No. 15506558

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