At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic kitchen team and create exceptional culinary experiences across multiple outlets.
- Company: Join Oak View Group, a leader in live events and hospitality innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, gym discounts, and ongoing career development.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to excellence and community engagement.
- Why this job: Shape Nottingham's culinary scene and inspire the next generation of chefs.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading large kitchen operations and a passion for food.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Oak View Group is reinventing the way the world comes together. Driven by a passion to revolutionise the live events industry with dynamic thinking and an unshakeable dedication to those we serve, OVG turns up the volume on what makes life extraordinary. From inspired development to curated hospitality, from brand innovation to premium for all, OVG is setting new standards and redefining expectations for everyone.
The Island Quarter has already become an iconic canal-side destination for Nottingham, boasting three storeys of restaurants, bars, and events space. From casual all-day dining, drinks and entertainment at Binks Yard with its expansive outdoor terrace, stage and screen built for live performances and sports screening, to refined dining at the Cleaver & Wake restaurant and bar using the very best ingredients from across the British Isles, this multi-purpose venue is truly one of a kind.
We're looking for an Executive Head Chef to take full culinary ownership of a complex, multi-outlet operation and lead a brigade of over 30 kitchen professionals. You'll lead the Head Chefs across each outlet through empowerment, coaching, and genuine day-to-day presence - not from an office, but from the pass. You'll set the tone, the standards, and the culture of the kitchen across every part of the site, while staying commercially sharp and strategically engaged.
That means you'll need to be adaptable, entrepreneurial, and comfortable building things as you go - working through complexity rather than waiting for it to resolve itself. There are multiple stakeholders across the site and central OVG support teams to align with.
- Taking full culinary leadership of the site - setting menus, standards and direction across all four outlets in line with the venue's commercial and brand objectives
- Leading and inspiring a brigade of 30+ kitchen professionals, with Head Chefs reporting into you across the operation
- Coaching and developing Head Chefs through empowerment, regular feedback, and genuine investment in their growth
- Mentoring junior and emerging talent - nurturing the next generation of chefs within the team
- Owning food cost management, GP performance, supplier relationships, procurement, and kitchen efficiency across all outlets
- Aligning with OVG's central culinary and operational support teams, contributing to wider group initiatives and sharing best practice
- Driving community engagement - building relationships with local suppliers, culinary colleges, apprenticeship programmes, and industry bodies
- Maintaining full compliance across food safety, allergen management, HACCP, and health & safety in all kitchen environments
What we're looking for:
- You'll be an experienced senior chef who has led large, complex kitchen operations - ideally across multiple outlets or in a high-volume venue, hotel, or stadium environment.
- Proven experience as an Executive Head Chef, Executive Chef or Senior Head Chef across a multi-outlet or large-scale operation
- Demonstrable experience managing brigades of 20+ and developing kitchen leadership teams
- Strong commercial acumen - you understand GP, food cost, labour, and how culinary decisions drive business performance
- A coaching and empowerment style of leadership - you build people up rather than just directing them
- Experience across varied formats - fine dining, events catering, and high-volume covers - is a distinct advantage
- Confident engaging with multiple stakeholders, senior leadership, and support functions across a complex organisation
- Strong community and industry instincts - keen to engage with local suppliers, colleges, and the broader culinary ecosystem
- Full working knowledge of food safety legislation, allergen compliance, and HACCP
Nottingham's best mixed-use venue, operated by one of the most forward-thinking companies in live entertainment and hospitality, looking for someone to define what its culinary offering can be. Salary, benefits and package are competitive and will be discussed at interview. Excellent benefits including private healthcare, corporate gym discount, F&B discount, multiple training and development programmes, cross exposure to our growing portfolio of venues, restaurants and events in the UK and beyond, ongoing career progression and more!
Our Inclusion Commitments: OVG is for everyone. Diversity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. If you need any additional support or adjustments with your application, let us know and we will work with you to ensure you have everything you need.
Executive Head Chef Restaurant in Nottingham employer: leisurejobs
Oak View Group is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises innovation and community engagement. As the Executive Head Chef at The Island Quarter in Nottingham, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including private healthcare, gym discounts, and extensive training programmes, all while leading a passionate team in a dynamic, multi-outlet environment. With a commitment to employee growth and a focus on culinary excellence, OVG provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of hospitality in a truly iconic venue.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Executive Head Chef Restaurant in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events or on social media. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show up in person! If you’re eyeing a specific restaurant or venue, pop in and introduce yourself. A friendly face can make a lasting impression and might just lead to an opportunity.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your skills! Whether it’s a trial shift or a cooking demo, be prepared to whip up something amazing that highlights your culinary flair and leadership style.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to join our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Executive Head Chef Restaurant in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for food and cooking shine through. Share your culinary journey and what inspires you to create amazing dishes. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but someone who truly cares about the art of cooking.
Highlight Your Leadership Style:As an Executive Head Chef, your leadership style is crucial. Make sure to emphasise your coaching and empowerment approach in your application. We’re looking for someone who builds their team up, so share examples of how you've developed others in the kitchen.
Be Commercially Savvy:Don’t forget to showcase your understanding of food costs, GP performance, and how your culinary decisions impact business outcomes. We want to know that you can balance creativity with commercial acumen, so include any relevant experiences that demonstrate this.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at OVG!
How to prepare for a job interview at leisurejobs
✨Know Your Culinary Vision
Before the interview, think about your culinary philosophy and how it aligns with the venue's brand. Be ready to discuss your vision for the menus and how you plan to elevate the dining experience across all outlets.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led large kitchen teams in the past. Highlight your coaching and empowerment approach, and be ready to discuss how you nurture talent and build a positive kitchen culture.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of food cost management, GP performance, and how culinary decisions impact overall business success. Be prepared to discuss specific strategies you've implemented to drive profitability in previous roles.
✨Engage with the Community
Think about how you can build relationships with local suppliers and culinary colleges. Be ready to share ideas on community engagement and how you can contribute to the broader culinary ecosystem in Nottingham.
