Chefs: salaries, benefits and perks

Having the right salary in place is so important to retain and attract talented Chefs.

So much has changed over the past 3 years with the Pandemic and Brexit, including the salaries for Chefs by up to 12% more in the last year. Are you paying current market rates?

May 2023

INDEPENDANT RESTAURANTS & NON-BRANDED GROUPS - London 

• EXECUTIVE CHEF : £65,000 - £110,000
• HEAD CHEF : £55,000 - £90,000 
• SENIOR SOUS CHEF : £48,000 - £60,000
• SOUS CHEF - £45,000 : £50,000
• JUNIOR SOUS CHEF : £40,000 - £45,000

Why is it really important to pay market rates? 

If you under pay, the chances are you will get chefs moving on or struggle to hire in such a competitive market. It is so important to offer market rates to fill your vacancies. These rates above are based on the average salaries clients are telling us they are paying in May 2023 for senior positions.

Key drivers to attracting talent:

In addition to an attractive salary, employers must present a comprehensive benefits package to appeal to new talent and have been updating their offerings to put this into action.

Below reveals candidates’ top sought after workplace benefits as:

• Flexible working hours (52%)
• Pay (46%)
• Bonuses (30%)
• Competitive pension programme (28%)
• Flexible shift patterns (28%)

Other Perks and Benefits as an example

• Service charge – this has always in addition to basic salary however is currently lower than basic, as the drive has been towards a higher basic in the last 3 years
• Hours – England (outside London). The average is about 45hrs for the contract with paid overtime. London, the average is 48 hrs with paid overtime up to Sous Chef

There has also been a big shift towards a 4 day working week since the pandemic

• Private health insurance – This can be a big draw especially for senior staff and we already work with a restaurant group that has this as standard for all their employees
• Discount in restaurants – Whether in your own group or others
• Access to a money management app that lets you track your earnings throughout the month, instantly access up to 40% of your pay as soon as you earn it and save directly from your salary
• Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) 
• Access to support your mental, physical, social, and financial wellbeing including a 24/7 UK-based online GP appointments, mental health counselling, a get fit programme, legal and financial guidance plus much more.
• Recommend a Friend scheme.
• Supplier visits
• An optional paid day each year to give back and volunteer.