At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of chefs to create exciting menus for matchdays and events.
- Company: Join Levy UK, the official catering partner of Aston Villa FC.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, healthcare benefits, and discounts on various services.
- Why this job: Be part of a legendary venue and make food an unforgettable experience for fans.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-pressure kitchens and a passion for culinary creativity.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a commitment to sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Levy UK is the official catering partner to Aston Villa Football Club, delivering world-class hospitality and retail experiences across the iconic Villa Park stadium and the wider Aston Villa estate. Since 1874, Aston Villa has been at the heart of English football. Today, Villa Park welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans and guests every season — from buzzing concourses and vibrant fan zones to suites, boxes, and conferences. Every matchday, every event, every service is an opportunity to celebrate the passion, pride, and tradition of the Villans.
Now, we’re looking for a Retail Head Chef to lead from the front in our stadium kitchens. This is more than a chef role — it’s a chance to bring bold, crowd-pleasing menus to one of the most historic football venues in the world. This isn’t your average kitchen. This is Villa Park — a ground where legends are made, memories are shared, and food is part of the experience.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Leading and motivating a brigade of chefs across multiple retail kitchens on matchdays and major events
- Driving food quality, speed, and consistency — feeding thousands of fans without missing a beat
- Designing and delivering menus with a street food edge and stadium atmosphere
- Training, mentoring, and energising teams to deliver Levy’s signature flair with every dish
- Partnering with operations and culinary leaders to achieve commercial goals while never compromising flavour
- Championing food safety, hygiene, and sustainability standards across all kitchens
What we’re looking for:
- A passionate, people-focused Head Chef — or an ambitious Sous Chef ready to step up
- Proven success running high-volume, high-pressure kitchens (stadiums, arenas, or large-scale hospitality an advantage)
- Creativity with commercial know-how — you know what sells, and how to deliver it fast
- Strong leadership and resilience — calm under pressure, inspiring in the heat of service
- Hands-on leadership — you lead from the line, not just the office
- A strong commitment to sustainability: sourcing seasonal, local ingredients, reducing waste, promoting low-carbon menus.
What you’ll get in return:
- Competitive salary of £40,000 per annum
- Pension scheme & life assurance
- 23 days holiday + Bank Holidays, plus your birthday off
- Healthcare benefits including dental, optical, therapy treatments & free annual checks
- Discounts including Vodafone, Nuffield Health, Pure Gym, shopping & travel perks
- Holiday purchase scheme
- Ongoing training & development through Levy career pathways
- Family-friendly benefits (2 days extra leave post-maternity return, day off for baby’s first birthday)
- Employee Assistance Programme & wellbeing support
Levy is about elevating experiences. As the global leader in sports and entertainment hospitality, we design and deliver unforgettable guest experiences that celebrate people, planet, and passion. From Premier League clubs to world-class arenas, we combine culinary innovation, seamless operations, and sustainability leadership to make every event extraordinary. At Villa Park, our mission is simple: to fuel the pride of the claret and blue, one unforgettable matchday at a time.
Retail Head Chef- Aston Villa FC in Birmingham employer: Levy
Contact Detail:
Levy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Head Chef- Aston Villa FC in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the venue! Familiarise yourself with Villa Park and its unique atmosphere. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely excited about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff at Levy or Aston Villa FC on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just land you a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Prepare a few menu ideas that reflect your style and the stadium vibe. Presenting these during your interview can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Levy team and contributing to the amazing experiences at Villa Park.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Head Chef- Aston Villa FC in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for food and football shine through! We want to see that you’re not just a chef, but someone who gets excited about creating memorable experiences for fans at Villa Park.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Retail Head Chef role. Highlight any experience in high-pressure kitchens or large-scale events, as this is key for us when we’re looking for the right fit.
Be Creative with Your Menu Ideas: Since this role involves designing bold, crowd-pleasing menus, don’t hesitate to share some of your innovative ideas in your application. We love creativity, especially when it comes to street food vibes that can elevate the matchday experience!
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Aston Villa FC!
How to prepare for a job interview at Levy
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of food that are popular at stadiums and what might resonate with Aston Villa fans. Think about how you can bring a street food edge to your menu ideas and be ready to discuss specific dishes that could work well in a high-volume setting.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Retail Head Chef, your leadership will be key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've motivated teams in high-pressure environments. Discuss your hands-on approach and how you lead from the line, not just from behind a desk.
✨Emphasise Sustainability
Levy is committed to sustainability, so come armed with ideas on sourcing local ingredients and reducing waste. Talk about any previous experiences where you’ve implemented sustainable practices in the kitchen and how you plan to champion these standards at Villa Park.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills under pressure. Think about past challenges you’ve faced in busy kitchens and how you overcame them. This will show your resilience and ability to maintain quality and speed during peak times.