Head Chef in Antwerp

Head Chef

Salary: Negotiable

Location: Antwerp city centre

Language: Fluent Dutch required and English

I am looking for an experienced, creative Head Chef to lead the kitchen of a high-energy, hype-driven venue in the heart of Antwerp.

You will bring strong French and Belgian culinary expertise, a sharp understanding of the local Antwerp dining scene, and the leadership to deliver outstanding food with a small, close-knit team.

Antwerp’s city-centre dining scene combines Belgian classics with French technique and contemporary, experience-led hospitality, making it an exciting market for a chef who can balance quality, identity, and commercial appeal.

About the Role

As Head Chef, you will own the culinary direction, daily kitchen operations, menu development, food quality, and team performance.

You will create dishes that are bold, seasonal, and memorable—food that fits a vibrant, high-profile venue and keeps guests coming back.

You will work closely with the management team to deliver a strong guest experience while maintaining cost control, consistency, hygiene standards, and efficient service during busy periods.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and inspire a small kitchen team, setting clear standards and creating a positive, ambitious working culture.
• Develop and refresh menus with a focus on French and Belgian cuisine, seasonal ingredients, and strong flavour.
• Design dishes and menus that reflect the venue’s energy, style, and positioning in the Antwerp market.
• Manage purchasing, stock, food cost, waste, portioning, and kitchen profitability.
• Ensure consistent execution, presentation, food safety, and hygiene across every service.
• Plan production, prep, and service for high-volume periods and special events.
• Monitor kitchen performance, resolve operational issues quickly, and maintain smooth communication with front-of-house.
• Stay connected to Antwerp’s food scene, guest expectations, competitors, and emerging culinary trends.

Who We’re Looking For

• Experienced Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef with proven leadership in a professional restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Strong background in French and Belgian cuisine, with a refined but approachable cooking style.
• Excellent knowledge of the Antwerp market, its guests, suppliers, dining trends, and competitive landscape.
• Fluent in Dutch, both spoken and written; additional languages are a plus.
• Well presented, confident, and comfortable representing the venue to guests, partners, and the wider team.
• Passionate about creating exceptional food and delivering a memorable experience in a lively, high-profile setting.
• Hands-on, organised, calm under pressure, and able to lead a small team through busy services.
• Strong understanding of food cost, stock management, HACCP, food safety, and kitchen operations.

• Seniority Level

Mid-Senior level

• Industry
  • Hospitality
• Employment Type

Full-time

• Skills
  • Preps
  • Cooking
  • English
  • Appeals
  • Special Events
  • Presentations
  • Hospitality Industry
  • Passionate about Work
  • Culinary Arts

Voceer presents this job opportunity for COREcruitment, a 50 person sized company who are categorized as a Recruitment Agency.

This position is being managed by COREcruitment, a reputable recruitment agency known for placing candidates in desirable positions.