Head Chef in Liverpool

Aramark UK have an incredible opportunity for a dynamic inspirational hospitality leader to join us as Head Chef at Everton Football Club for our 16 Premium Dining concepts. The impressive brand-new Bramley-Moore Liverpool stadium is set to be one of the most revolutionary and advanced venues for fan experience in Europe. Serving 52,888 fans per matchday, the mission is to set the standard for excellence and create exceptional experiences for Evertonians.

Reporting to the Executive Stadia Chef and Culinary Director, the Head Chef for Premium Dining will take full ownership of the coordination and delivery of an exceptional culinary experience, across a variety of premium dining outlets to match the venue's ambition, brand specifications and standards. You will come with a passion for food and be inspired to deliver A la Carte dining across a variety of premium outlets. This role is crucial in ensuring that all our premium dining offerings including A la Carte restaurants, private dining and conference and event catering are delivered with the highest standards of health and safety, quality, creativity and consistency.

You will be responsible for all premium kitchen operational processes; this role is critical to the success of the pre-opening mobilisation of the Everton Stadium. This person will be a key part of the Aramark culinary team leading a brigade of fixed term chefs and up to 40 variable chefs on match and event days. This is a full time and permanent position which will be based at the stunning, new, Everton Stadium, due to open for the new season in August 2025.

What's in it for you:

• Competitive salary
• Permanent position with the requirement to work both weekdays and weekends where necessary to manage the retail operations during match games, concerts and more
• Generous annual leave that increases in line with service, with the opportunity to buy extra
• Defined contribution pension scheme and life assurance benefits
• Access to an employee benefit scheme that offers discounts across hundreds of retail and leisure providers
• Employee Assistance Programme and in-house Mental Health Champions
• A plethora of opportunities to attend in-house events and try out the culinary genius of our teams

Key Responsibilities:

• Mobilisation: During mobilisation you will support with the creation of menus, product sourcing, menu costing and set up of the kitchen spaces.
• Create specification cards, develop health and safety processes for the kitchens including cleaning rotas, standard operating procedures, ideal rotas, training manuals and operational processes for business as usual.
• You will build team structure for service, support with recruitment and training for permanent team members and implement a culture of continual feedback and development that will ensure we are set for success on opening.
• Develop strong relationships with procurement, logistics and third-party suppliers to ensure that product quality, stock control and stock holding is adhered to.
• Support with the set up of the kitchens making sure they are adaptable and highly functional to support with speed of service, safety and easy to maintain to the highest standards.
• Business as usual: Food Production & Operational Delivery of all premium restaurants.
• Ownership of the day-to-day delivery of consistent and exceptional product quality and service standards to achieve, and ideally exceed department targets, and grow our reputation for celebrated customer experiences.
• Drive our guest focused culture through consistently demonstrating an in-depth knowledge and appreciation of hospitality standards and client needs, that is infectious throughout your team.
• Extensive knowledge of food handling and food safety standards that comply with UK law on food safety.
• Stock management including stock ordering, stock usage, wastage and waste recording is imperative to ensure that you are not holding excessive stock that could perish.
• Ability to manage labour cost, food costs not to impact on profit potential or be detrimental to service delivery.
• Ensure that effective and robust recruitment plans and processes exist to source and deploy large volumes of casual workers per differing event requirements.
• Develop training programs to ensure staff are equipped to provide exceptional service to Premium outlets.
• Work closely with the management team to develop and sustain a high level of team energy and engagement, focused on great food and hospitality.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and talent management / succession planning activity, based on agreed and measurable KPI's.
• Ensure the nutritional philosophy is present across all sites, with focus on new food trends and innovation.
• To manage the procurement systems ensuring all users submit invoices and documentation within the agreed timescales.
• Responsible for Premium staffing planners and weekly labour, producing schedules, closing off rotas and providing variable staffing requirements in line with budget.

Key Requirements:

• A naturally confident leader, with senior management experience to inspire a large kitchen team to deliver results.
• Ability to communicate effectively on both sides of the pass to ensure open and positive communication between front and back of house teams.
• Extensive experience in restaurants or A la Carte environment preferred.
• Positive and passionate focus on food – a natural flair for hospitality.
• Experience of working in a similar environment.
• Trained to Level 3 food safety (desired).
• Previous P&L accountability and evidence of commercial nous.
• Exudes confidence, energy and charisma.
• Can effectively switch between being the leader and a team player according to the situation at hand.
• Structured approach but also demonstrates flexibility and agility.
• Calm and resilient.
• Problem solving skills.
• Willing to work evenings and weekends as required.
• To lead a safe & hygienic operation, complying with all Company & legislative requirements, driving excellence in safety performance.

If you are applying for this role and you already work for Aramark, you must notify your line manager before submitting your application. At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey. We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.