CREATIVE HEAD CHEF / Flip Dog Bar — London
Create the food concept. Shape the experience. Build something people will remember.
Flip Dog Bar is looking for a Creative Head Chef to lead the food direction of our new cocktail destination in the heart of Old Street, London.
This is not a traditional restaurant kitchen role.
We are looking for a chef with ideas, personality and ambition — someone who sees food as part of the overall guest experience and wants to create a distinctive, modern food concept that works hand-in-hand with an innovative cocktail program.
If you enjoy creating dishes, experimenting with flavours, working with exceptional ingredients and pushing beyond conventional bar food, we want to hear from you.
ABOUT FLIP DOG BAR
Flip Dog Bar is a new two-level cocktail destination founded by Artem Skapenko, IBA World Champion and concept creator, and Alex Kosteniuk, international judge and hospitality consultant.
Our philosophy is simple:
Technique leads. Flavour follows.
We are bringing the same approach to food — creating dishes that are precise, playful, modern and designed specifically for a cocktail-led environment.
The venue offers two distinct experiences:
GROUND — 20 seats
An intimate, energetic space inspired by pop-up installations, creative collaborations and contemporary cocktail culture.
BASEMENT — 80 seats
A refined, immersive environment focused on technique-driven cocktails, thoughtful hospitality and a strong food experience.
The interior is designed by YOD Group, the award-winning Kyiv-based studio recognised internationally for its creative and highly detailed hospitality spaces.
THE OPPORTUNITY
As our Creative Head Chef, you will have the opportunity to build and lead the food concept from the ground up.
You will work closely with the founders and bar team to develop a menu that doesn't simply accompany the cocktails — it becomes part of the Flip Dog experience.
We are looking for someone who can think beyond recipes and ask:
How should this dish make the guest feel?
How can food interact with a cocktail?
How can we create something people haven't seen before?
You will have a real voice in the creative direction of the kitchen, from the initial menu concept through to launch and future seasonal development.
YOUR ROLE
- Lead the creative direction and development of the Flip Dog food concept
- Create an original, modern small-plate and finger-food menu designed around our cocktail program
- Develop dishes that are visually exciting, commercially viable and operationally smart
- Collaborate with the bar team on food & cocktail pairings
- Experiment with flavours, textures, techniques and presentation
- Develop seasonal menus and limited-time creations
- Lead tastings, menu trials and recipe development
- Establish recipes, preparation methods, portion sizes and presentation standards
- Build an efficient kitchen operation suitable for a fast-paced cocktail bar
- Manage daily mise en place and service
- Control food costs, stock levels and purchasing
- Develop systems to minimise waste and maximise product utilisation
- Maintain consistently high standards during service
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene and HACCP requirements
- Maintain a clean, organised and professional kitchen environment
- Work closely with the founders and management team on the ongoing evolution of the concept
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are more interested in your creativity, mindset and ambition than in a long list of previous job titles.
You could be a chef who has worked in a restaurant, cocktail bar, hotel, creative kitchen or modern hospitality concept.
What matters is that you:
- Have a genuine passion for food and hospitality
- Love creating and developing new dishes
- Understand flavour balance and ingredient quality
- Are curious about modern cooking techniques
- Enjoy collaborating with bartenders and other creative people
- Have a strong eye for presentation and detail
- Can turn an idea into a dish that actually works in service
- Understand the balance between creativity and commercial reality
- Stay calm, organised and focused during busy service
- Take ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do
- Want to build something rather than simply run someone else's menu
Previous experience in a high-quality restaurant, cocktail bar, hotel or contemporary hospitality concept is highly desirable.
WHY FLIP DOG?
Because you will have the chance to create, not just execute.
You will join Flip Dog at the beginning of its journey and have a direct influence on what the food experience becomes.
You will work alongside an international hospitality team, surrounded by bartenders and industry professionals who care deeply about creativity, technique and guest experience.
There is also an opportunity for long-term development within Flip Dog and our future international hospitality projects.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Full-time, permanent position
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Creative ownership of the food concept
- Opportunity to develop and launch a new menu from the ground up
- Close collaboration with an international hospitality team
- Employee discounts
- Company pension
- Sick pay
- Long-term career development opportunities
- Potential involvement in future Flip Dog projects internationally
LOCATION & START
Flip Dog Bar
Unit 1, 104–122 City Road
Old Street, London
EC1V 2NR
Position: Creative Head Chef
Employment: Full-time, Permanent
Start: Pre-opening / menu development period ahead of launch
READY TO CREATE SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
If you have the creativity, energy and ambition to build a food concept from the ground up, send us your CV and a short introduction about yourself.
We would love to hear about the dishes you are excited about, the kind of food you want to create, and why Flip Dog could be the right place for your next chapter.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £45,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person