Job Vacancy: ACE Pizza Second Chef (Pizza Chef) at The Pembury Tavern

Location: The Pembury Tavern, 90 Amhurst Road, London, E8 4RG
Salary: £16 per hour
Hours: Full-time, 40+ hours per week (evenings and weekends included)

ACE Pizza is on the lookout for a skilled and passionate Pizza Chef to join us as
Second-in-Command at The Pembury Tavern. Working side-by-side with our Head
Chef, you’ll be an essential part of our kitchen leadership — from dough prep and
shaping to oven finesse and team management.

We take pride in every pizza that leaves our kitchen. That means crafting everything
in-house — dough, sauces, toppings — and maintaining the highest standards in
quality, consistency, and creativity. Our menu is bold, seasonal, and strongly
vegan-friendly.

If you love pizza, lead with calm confidence, and thrive in a fast-paced kitchen, we
want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Dough Management: Mix, shape, proof, and troubleshoot dough -
  maintaining records and standards.
• Service Leadership: Run the pizza station during busy services -
  hand-stretching, topping, and managing the oven.
• Team Supervision: Lead the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence - assign
  tasks, support staff, and ensure smooth prep.
• Prep & Stock: Oversee prep schedules, stock rotation, and ordering - ensuring
  the kitchen never runs dry.
• Training: Mentor junior team members, ensuring recipe adherence and high
  standards.
• Operational Communication: Coordinate with FOH and management to
  ensure seamless service and timely updates.
• Quality Control: Guarantee consistent pizza excellence - leoparding crust,
  charred base, quick ticket times.
• Hygiene & Safety: Uphold food safety standards, lead daily clean-downs, and
  assist with deep cleans.

Who You Are

• At least 2 years’ experience in a professional pizza kitchen
• Confident leading a team and maintaining a high standard under pressure
• Expert in hand-stretching and shaping dough during busy services
• Experienced in dough mixing and fermentation (training can be provided)
• Calm, organised, and quality-obsessed
• Holder of a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willing to obtain within 3
  months)

Perks & Benefits

• £16 per hour, paid monthly via PAYE (20th–19th monthly cycle)
• 28 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Free pizza on shift + end-of-shift drink
• Extra paid day off for your birthday and a community day
• Staff discounts across our venues and at local businesses
• Support for professional development – we’ll cover or contribute to training
  including:
  • First Aid
  • Level 3 Food Hygiene
  • HACCP
  • Fire Safety
  • Sustainability

About ACE Pizza @ The Pembury Tavern

We’re not your average pizza joint. ACE Pizza makes a Neo-Neapolitan hybrid, cold-fermented for 72+ hours with locally sourced, high-quality ingredients. We were proudly named Time Out’s Top Pizza in London (2023) — and our crisp, leoparded crusts and creative toppings speak for themselves. Plus, they go great with a pint 🍺

📸 Instagram
🌐 Website

How to Apply

Please send a cover email or letter explaining why you think you would be the perfect fit to stuart@pemburytavern.co.uk for The Pembury Tavern. Please mark the subject “Bar Staff Application” and attach an up-to-date CV.

Closing date is Sunday, 31 August. Interviews with suitable qualified candidates may be held in advance of this date.