Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary operations and create innovative menus for high-profile events.
- Company: Join Levy at the iconic Royal Dublin Society, a leader in hospitality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and exposure to diverse events.
- Why this job: Shape unforgettable dining experiences in a dynamic, high-energy environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in high-volume settings.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team that values diversity and growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
For nearly 200 years, the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) has stood as a cornerstone of Irish cultural, agricultural, and social life. Founded in 1731 to promote agriculture, arts, industry, and science, the RDS has grown from a learned society into one of Ireland’s most iconic live-events destinations — hosting everything from major exhibitions and concerts to sporting moments and international conventions.
As the hospitality partner at this storied venue, Levy brings world-class food, service, and event experiences to every occasion. Working with us at the RDS means being part of a passionate, dynamic team that thrives in a live environment and helps shape unforgettable moments for tens of thousands of visitors each year.
The Role
As Restaurant Head Chef at the RDS, you will lead the culinary vision and day-to-day food operations across all restaurants in the RDS. Working with Levy’s market-leading food philosophy, you’ll be responsible for delivering outstanding restaurant quality dishes across Ireland’s top racecourses.
Key Responsibilities
- Culinary Leadership & Strategy
- Lead the overall culinary restaurant team in line with Levy standards and brand values.
- Develop menus that are innovative, commercially sound and operationally scalable for large-volume events.
- Drive continuous improvement, creativity and food innovation across all offers.
- Operational Excellence
- Oversee all restaurant kitchen operations across RDS.
- Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality food, presentation and service at scale.
- Plan and resource kitchens effectively to meet fluctuating event demands.
- People Leadership & Development
- Lead, motivate and develop a growing kitchen team.
- Build a strong talent pipeline through training, mentoring and succession planning.
- Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performance kitchen culture.
- Financial & Commercial Control
- Work closely with senior kitchen team to manage food costs, gross profit, labour and stock management.
- Assist in purchasing, supplier relationships and cost control in line with Levy and Compass Group standards.
- Drive waste reduction and sustainable practices across the operation.
- Food Safety, Compliance & Standards
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, health & safety and HACCP requirements.
- Maintain audit readiness and uphold Levy’s quality and safety standards at all times.
- Ensure all equipment, kitchens and storage areas are maintained to the highest standards.
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Work closely with the restaurant managers to deliver seamless event experiences.
- Support client tastings, menu presentations and bespoke event proposals.
- Represent Levy and RDS with professionalism at all times.
About You
Essential
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef within a large-scale, high-volume environment.
- Strong background in fine dining restaurant or similar venue.
- Exceptional leadership and people-management skills.
- Strong and proven cost and margin control.
- In-depth knowledge of food safety, HACCP and compliance.
Desirable
- Experience working within a premium fine dining restaurant e.g. Michelin standard.
- Track record of menu innovation and culinary development.
What We’re Looking For
- A confident, visible leader who leads from the front.
- Calm under pressure and highly organised.
- Passionate about food, people and delivering excellence at scale.
- Flexible to meet the demands of a busy events calendar.
Why Join Levy at RDS?
- Work at one of Ireland’s leading events venues.
- Be part of Levy, a global and award-winning hospitality brand.
- Exposure to a diverse and high-profile events calendar.
- Clear opportunities for development and progression within Compass Group.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
Here’s an idea of what your shift patterns will be: 5 out of 7 days.
As part of Compass you’ll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK’s biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Restaurant Head Chef - RDS Dublin employer: Levy UK
Contact Detail:
Levy UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Restaurant Head Chef - RDS Dublin
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend culinary events, join local chef groups, or even hit up social media platforms to engage with fellow chefs. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even host a pop-up event. This not only showcases your culinary talent but also demonstrates your ability to manage a kitchen under pressure. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter during interviews!
✨Tip Number 3
Research the venue! Before any interview, dive deep into the RDS and Levy’s culinary philosophy. Understanding their values and what they stand for will help you tailor your approach and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at RDS. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence goes a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Restaurant Head Chef - RDS Dublin
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Culinary Passion: 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 your personality and passion for the kitchen!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in high-volume environments. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've led teams and innovated menus, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon that might confuse us. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at RDS. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Levy UK
✨Know Your Culinary Vision
Before the interview, take some time to think about your culinary philosophy and how it aligns with Levy's standards. Be ready to discuss innovative menu ideas that reflect your creativity and operational scalability for large events.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring and developing talent, as well as how you foster a positive kitchen culture. This will demonstrate your ability to lead from the front.
✨Understand Financial Management
Brush up on your knowledge of food costs, gross profit, and stock management. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed these aspects in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Head Chef position at RDS.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Make sure you're well-versed in food safety regulations, HACCP, and compliance standards. Be ready to talk about how you've maintained high standards in your previous kitchens, as this is essential for ensuring quality and safety at RDS.
