At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and deliver high-quality meals for players and staff in a dynamic football environment.
- Company: Join Birmingham City FC, a club with a rich history and exciting growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy matchday tickets, discounts, life assurance, and 24/7 wellbeing support.
- Other info: Flexible hours around training and matchdays with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Kickstart your culinary career while supporting elite athletes and their performance.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation & Cookery and basic kitchen skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Department
Executive Kitchen
Location
Across all Club sites
Hours
37.5 hours per week (flexible around training and matchday schedules)
Reports to
Head Chef
Birmingham City Football Club is on the rise.
With an incredible history dating back to 1875, Birmingham City Football Club is part of an exciting period of accelerated growth and modernisation, and is playing it’s part in once-in-a-generation opportunity to support the transformation of England’s second city as part of the Sports Quarter project.
With significant investment across our football, commercial, and community operations, we are rebuilding the Club for long-term success — on and off the pitch.
The journey we’re on involves strengthening our structures, elevating our performance environments, growing our teams, and investing heavily in the people, processes and culture that will define the next chapter of Birmingham City FC.
We are looking for a passionate and motivated
Trainee Performance Chef to support the preparation and delivery of high-quality, nutritionally balanced meals for our players and staff across the Senior Training Centre, Senior Women’s Programme, U21s and Academy.
This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring chef to develop their culinary skills within an elite football performance environment, working closely with experienced Performance Chefs and multidisciplinary teams to support player health, recovery and performance.
About the Role
You will play an important role in the day-to-day operation of our training ground kitchens, contributing to menu delivery, food safety standards and the evolving demands of high-performance sport.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the preparation, cooking and presentation of performance-focused meals for players and staff.
- Work alongside Performance Chefs on menu planning, recipe development and execution aligned to nutrition strategies.
- Assist with preparation of meat, fish and vegetables to the required elite standards.
- Maintain excellent kitchen organisation, cleanliness and hygiene at all times.
- Support allergen management, portion control, stock rotation and food waste reduction.
- Assist with food ordering, deliveries and safe storage procedures.
- Provide catering support for matchdays, travel days, residential camps and tournaments (including off-site preparation).
- Work flexibly in line with training schedules and competition demands, including travel with teams when required.
- Ensure full compliance with Club policies, including Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding, Health & Safety and EFL regulations.
About You
- NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation & Cookery (or equivalent).
- Level 2 Food Hygiene (or willingness to obtain).
- Level 2 Allergen Awareness (or willingness to obtain).
- Basic food preparation and knife-handling skills.
- Strong attention to detail, professionalism and high standards of cleanliness.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Flexible and reliable, with strong timekeeping and organisation.
- Experience working in a professional kitchen.
- Interest or knowledge in sports nutrition and performance catering.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Interest in football or high-performance sport environments
- The Benefits of Being Blues
Birmingham City Football Club , we put people at the heart of everything we do.
When you join the Club, you become part of the Blues family — and that comes with a range of benefits designed to support you both inside and outside of work.
- Matchday Tickets
- Blues Store Discount
- Life Assurance
- Pension Scheme
- Eye Care Voucher
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Help@Hand - 24/7 access to GP appointments, wellbeing services and mental health support.
- Safeguarding
Birmingham City Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
The safety and wellbeing of all individuals within our care is paramount, and all staff are expected to share and uphold this commitment.
All successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, and will be required to complete safeguarding training as part of the recruitment and induction process.
Birmingham City FC is proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process.
Candidates are assessed solely on merit, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or caring responsibilities.
We value diversity and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
If you require any adjustments to support you during the recruitment or interview process, please let us know when applying.
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Trainee Performance Chef in Birmingham employer: Birmingham City Football Club plc
Birmingham City F.C Foundation is an exceptional employer that prioritises the development of both its coaches and the young participants they serve. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and personal growth, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation in coaching practices. Located in Birmingham, this role offers unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the community while fostering a love for sport among children of all abilities.
Contact Details:
Birmingham City Football Club plc Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Performance Chef in Birmingham
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Dive into food fairs, science expos, and industry conferences in your area. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and get a feel for the latest trends in food science and technology. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Birmingham City Football Club plc!
✨Join Food Technology Communities
Get involved in online forums and local groups focusing on food science. Participating in discussions on platforms like LinkedIn or Reddit can showcase your passion, help you learn, and make useful connections. The more visible you are, the more likely someone from Birmingham City Football Club plc or elsewhere will take notice.
✨Internship-Specific Networking
As a trainee, you should tap into your university's career services and alumni network. They often have partnerships with companies like Birmingham City Football Club plc, and can help you find internship programmes or summer placements that aren’t publicly advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills Online
Create a blog or social media account where you share insights about food science trends or experiment results. This not only showcases your expertise but also helps you build a personal brand that might catch the eyes of recruiters, including those from Birmingham City Football Club plc. Don’t forget to link back to your application on our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Performance Chef in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Food Science:When crafting your application, let your enthusiasm for food science and technology shine through! Share any relevant projects or coursework you've undertaken, and don't hesitate to mention your favourite aspects of food innovation in your cover letter. We love to see candidates who are excited about what we do at Birmingham City Football Club plc.
Your CV Should Taste Like Success:For a trainee role in food science, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience, even if it's from coursework or internships. Include any lab work, research projects, or experience with food preparation techniques, as these will show us you're ready to dive into the practical side of things.
Certificates and Awards Matter:If you've earned any certificates related to food safety, quality control, or even relevant courses, don't forget to include them! They’re a great way to showcase your commitment and knowledge in food science and technology, which can set you apart from other applicants.
Tailor Your Motivation:In your cover letter, connect your motivation directly to what Birmingham City Football Club plc does. Discuss how this trainee position aligns with your career goals and what you hope to learn and contribute. We’re looking for a fresh perspective from someone eager to develop their skills in our innovative environment!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City Football Club plc
✨Know Your Food Science Basics
Brush up on key concepts in food science and technology, like food safety, preservation methods, and nutrition. We want to be able to discuss their applications in a real-world context — show Birmingham City Football Club plc you're not just book-smart but also understand how it relates to their products!
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect some practical questions or scenarios during your interview — they might ask how you would handle a specific problem or improve a food process. We should think through potential situations together, so we can showcase your analytical skills and creativity!
✨Show Enthusiasm for Learning
As a trainee, we want to demonstrate our eagerness to learn and grow in the food science field. Maybe mention specific technologies or techniques you're excited to learn about at Birmingham City Football Club plc, and how they fit into your career goals.
✨Highlight Team Collaboration
Food technology often involves teamwork, especially when developing new products or improving processes. We should be ready to share examples of how we've successfully collaborated in the past — even if it's from school projects or relevant experiences!
