Head Chef - Allianz Stadium (Twickenham)

Join the culinary force behind one of the world's most iconic sporting venues. Levy UK, the premium hospitality partner to Allianz Stadium, is seeking a visionary Head Chef to lead a dynamic kitchen brigade and deliver exceptional culinary experiences for guests on both match days and non-match days.

Since 2000, Levy has partnered with Allianz, transforming every match day into a premium hospitality showcase. Our team caters to over 10,000 guests across Allianz Stadium's East Stand, home to cutting-edge venues like The British Airways Rose Garden, The Gate, The Lock, and The East Wing. These offer everything from relaxed dining to five-star experiences for VIP clientele.

Purpose

As Head Chef, you will work closely with your team and oversee a team of 20+ dedicated culinary professionals. You'll be expected to champion:

• High-volume, high-quality execution during major sporting events
• Sustainable, British-sourced seasonal menus
• Innovation across Levy's diverse offerings, from The Rickshaw Club's Indian street food to Fuorvito's wood-fired pizzas
• Delivery of luxury experiences in hospitality areas like Rugby House, featuring Champagne receptions and multi-course plated dining

Outside of match days, you'll also play a pivotal role in curating bespoke menus for a broad range of events - conferences, weddings, gala dinners, and exhibitions - across 34 state-of-the-art event spaces within the stadium, hosting up to 1,200 guests. This is a rare opportunity to work at the forefront of UK stadium hospitality, driving food culture, creativity, and excellence at scale.

Responsibilities

• Oversee kitchen operations, including labour processes, procedures, and controls to ensure efficiency and value for customers and stakeholders.
• Maintain high standards of food quality and presentation across all menu offerings.
• Monitor market trends and guest feedback to drive continuous improvement and menu innovation.
• Lead structured management of food production and service delivery at Twickenham Experience Ltd.
• Drive culinary excellence to support top-line sales and enhance the guest experience.
• Manage departmental budgets, control costs, and analyse financial performance related to food, labour, and menu mix.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a large team of casual chefs and kitchen porters, including performance reviews and training plans.
• Foster strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, including RFU, sponsors, and suppliers.

Requirements

• Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining quality.
• Strong creative and analytical skills in food tasting, evaluation, and innovation.
• Passionate about delivering high-quality service with a positive, driven attitude.
• Excellent communication and client liaison skills; effective team player.
• Strong organisational and strategic management abilities, including man management.
• Financially savvy with experience managing budgets and operational costs.
• Self-motivated, disciplined, and able to manage tasks independently.
• Flexible schedule and ability to meet strict deadlines under pressure.

Benefits

• Healthcare & Wellbeing - Medicash health benefits (including dental, mental health & optical for you and up to 4 children), free annual health check with Aviva Digicare, discounts at Nuffield Health & Pure Gym, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Exclusive Perks & Discounts - Save on entertainment (up to 55% off cinema tickets), shopping (up to 15% off), Vodafone plans, and travel with top providers such as TUI & Expedia.
• Workplace Benefits - Meals on duty, pension scheme, life assurance, and professional subscriptions paid.
• Leave & Family Support - 23 days + bank holidays, your birthday off, extra leave after maternity return, a day off for your baby's 1st birthday, and a holiday purchase scheme.
• Career & Financial Support - Ongoing training & development, career pathways, financial wellbeing programme, and preferred rates on salary finance products.

Who are Levy?

Levy, part of Compass Group, known for delivering exceptional food, drink, and hospitality experiences at world-renowned venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, and Tottenham Hotspur. Focused on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, Levy prides itself on using sustainably sourced ingredients and providing outstanding service. The company is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2027, partnering with the British Paralympic Association, and ensuring all team members earn at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

Why Join Us?

At Levy UK & Ireland, we celebrate diversity and foster inclusion, valuing every individual's unique strengths. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and success. We promote fairness, ensure all voices are heard, and provide equal opportunities for all. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, equitable workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute. Together, we achieve greatness.