Head Chef – Reykjavík, Iceland

Head Chef – Reykjavík, Iceland Lead the kitchen at a MICHELIN Guide-recommended restaurant, with creative freedom and exceptional Icelandic ingredients. We are looking for an ambitious, creative Head Chef to lead a well-established fine dining restaurant in Reykjavík. This is an opportunity for an experienced Head Chef or an outstanding Sous Chef ready to take the next step. The restaurant serves contemporary Icelandic cuisine rooted in local culinary traditions, with seasonality, sustainability and local ingredients at its heart. Following a recent move to new premises with a larger, upgraded kitchen, the restaurant is ready for its next chapter. What we offer

• A leadership role at a MICHELIN Guide-recommended restaurant
• Considerable creative freedom to develop menus and shape the culinary direction
• A larger, recently upgraded kitchen
• Access to distinctive Icelandic ingredients and local producers
• The opportunity to lead and develop a dedicated kitchen team
• An international career opportunity in Reykjavík, Iceland
• Accommodation options, discussed individually
• Salary, start date and other terms by agreement

Your role As Head Chef, you will take overall responsibility for the kitchen’s culinary direction and daily operations. You will combine hands-on leadership with creativity, clear planning and consistently high standards. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading, motivating and developing the kitchen team
• Creating seasonal menus that showcase Icelandic ingredients
• Ensuring quality and consistency throughout every service
• Organising kitchen workflows, preparation and service
• Balancing culinary ambition with financial discipline and reliable operations
• Building a professional, safe and inclusive kitchen culture
• Working with the restaurant team to develop its culinary identity and guest experience

About you You have a strong background in fine dining or a comparable culinary environment. You understand the precision and consistency required at a high level, and you know how to help a team deliver its best. We are looking for someone with:

• Substantial experience in a professional kitchen at a high culinary level
• Experience developing menus and working with seasonal ingredients
• A clear, supportive and hands-on leadership style
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• A genuine interest in sustainability and local sourcing
• The ability to combine creativity with sound operational judgement
• Confidence working in an international team

Experience at a MICHELIN Guide-recognised restaurant or an equivalent culinary level is an advantage. Leadership, ambition and potential are also important. Supporting women in gastronomy For the past ten years, the restaurant’s kitchen has been staffed by an all-female team. Supporting women in gastronomy and creating opportunities for female chefs to develop into leaders remain important parts of its culture. We welcome qualified applicants of all genders. Selection is based on skills, leadership, motivation and potential. Living and working in Reykjavík Reykjavík combines a vibrant food scene and creative city life with extraordinary natural surroundings. For a chef with an interest in Nordic ingredients, it offers the chance to work closely with local seafood, lamb, wild herbs, seaweed and seasonal produce. How to apply Please send your CV and a brief introduction describing your experience, leadership approach and culinary philosophy to jobb@wildcarduntap.com. Subject line: Head Chef – Reykjavík Recruitment is managed by Wildcard Untap, a recruitment partner for specialists and leaders in hospitality. Applications are reviewed and interviews held on an ongoing basis. All applications are treated confidentially. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: 55 000,00kr - 98 000,00kr per month Work Location: In person