Head Chef - Brentford FC

We're looking for a multifaceted Head Chef to join our passionate and dedicated culinary team at Brentford GTech Community Stadium, a state-of-the-art conference and events venue and home of Brentford Football Club. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative Head Chef with exceptional leadership and people development skills to deliver seamless culinary experiences across live football matches, conferences, and exhibitions.

We are Levy, a visionary venue partner. We design and deliver bespoke guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet. Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.

Head Chef - the role

• Create and deliver exceptional, event-led menus that exceed guest expectations while catering for dietary needs, cultural preferences, and sustainability goals.
• Lead all kitchen operations, ensuring outstanding food quality, presentation, safety, and hygiene standards.
• Inspire, develop, and mentor a high-performing culinary team, fostering a positive and collaborative culture.
• Partner with event planners and stakeholders to design memorable dining experiences that enhance every event.
• Manage supplier relationships, sourcing premium ingredients while driving value and cost efficiencies.
• Take ownership of budgets, forecasting, cost control, and profitability, ensuring strong commercial performance.
• Stay ahead of culinary trends and innovations, introducing fresh concepts that keep offerings exciting and relevant.
• Champion quality assurance through regular reviews, maintaining consistency and compliance across all operations.
• Coordinate the delivery of culinary operations for match days and events, adapting seamlessly to changing requirements and ensuring flawless execution.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate the guest experience.

What we're looking for

• Extensive and proven experience in culinary arts, with a focus on large-scale event catering. Stadium/arena experience is a bonus!
• Exceptional culinary skills with a demonstrated ability to create diverse and innovative menus.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse culinary team.
• Proven experience in effectively managing kitchen operations, ensuring efficiency, and maintaining high standards.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively liaise with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Solid financial management skills, including budgeting, cost control, and profitability analysis.
• Ability to negotiate and manage relationships with suppliers to ensure cost-effective ingredient sourcing.
• A strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, in alignment with matchday and event schedules.
• Willingness to stay abreast of industry trends, culinary innovations, and emerging technologies.
• Resilience and the ability to thrive in a high-pressure environment.
• Positive and approachable demeanour, fostering a positive team culture.

What you’ll get in return:

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus and full company benefits.
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme.
• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments).
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Family benefits: 2 days’ additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby’s first birthday, enhanced family leave.
• Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships.
• Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products.
• Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways.
• Meals on duty included.

Why join us? Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality. We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive. Together, we create unforgettable experiences – and shape the future of hospitality.