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- Tasks: Lead culinary excellence at Headingley Stadium, creating innovative menus and unforgettable dining experiences.
- Company: Join Sodexo Live!, a leader in world-class hospitality and dining.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, mental health support, discounts, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of stadium dining.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume catering and a passion for modern cuisine required.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 38000 £ per year.
Sodexo Live! delivers world-class hospitality and dining across some of the most exciting venues in the country and now we’re looking for a dynamic, ambitious Sous Chef to join our culinary leadership team at Headingley Stadium, home to extraordinary matchdays, high-profile events and premium guest experiences. This is your opportunity to bring creativity, innovation and passion to a venue that demands excellence every single day.
As Sous Chef, you’ll play a key leadership role in shaping the culinary vision at Headingley Stadium working closely with the Executive Head Chef and Head Chef. We’re looking for a chef with ambition, creativity and the drive to make a real impact. If you are driven by innovation, thrive in fast-paced event environments and want to deliver unforgettable experiences at Headingley Stadium, we’d love to hear from you!
What You’ll Do:
- Drive culinary delivery across matchdays, corporate events, hospitality suites and premium dining.
- Ensure outstanding food quality, consistency and presentation across all kitchens.
- Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing brigade of chefs.
- Create trend-led, forward-thinking menus that set the benchmark for stadium hospitality.
- Present dishes confidently and passionately during client tastings.
- Champion continuous improvement and introduce fresh ideas that elevate the food offer.
- Maintain full compliance with all food safety, health & safety and company standards.
- Support financial performance through effective food cost management, stock control, labour planning, and stepping in for senior chefs when required.
What You Bring:
Essential
- Experience in high-volume catering: major events, large-scale banqueting or stadium operations.
- Fine dining background (hotels, restaurants or high-end contract catering).
- A genuine passion for food trends, innovation and modern cuisine.
- Strong communication skills with confidence presenting to clients.
- Solid financial awareness and understanding of food margin control.
- Level 3 Food Hygiene.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage and inspire a team.
Desirable
- Supervising Food Safety Level 3 or IOSH Managing Safely.
- Senior Sous Chef or previous Head Chef experience.
- Experience in retail / production kitchens.
- Contract-catering client management exposure.
- Experience in staff training and talent development.
What we offer:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
- Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work-related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
- Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
- The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
- Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan.
- A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo.
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
- Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
- Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
- Flexible and dynamic work environment.
- Competitive compensation.
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.
About Sodexo: At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins. We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.
Sous Chef in Leeds employer: Sodexo Group
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sous Chef in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, attend culinary events, and connect with industry professionals 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 off your skills! If you get the chance, participate in cooking competitions or host pop-up events. This not only builds your portfolio but also demonstrates your creativity and passion for food to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your presentation skills. As a Sous Chef, you'll need to confidently present dishes and ideas. Role-play with friends or family to get comfortable showcasing your culinary vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Sodexo Live! and contributing to our exciting culinary journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and culinary innovation shine through. Share specific examples of how you've created exciting menus or led a team to success in high-pressure environments. We want to see your creativity and passion!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Sous Chef role at Headingley Stadium. Highlight relevant experience in high-volume catering and fine dining, and don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you've had. We appreciate when applicants take the time to connect their skills to our needs.
Be Confident and Authentic: In your written application, be yourself! Use a confident tone and don’t shy away from showcasing your personality. We’re looking for someone who can inspire a team and present dishes passionately, so let that enthusiasm come through in your writing.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll find all the details you need right there. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Sodexo!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo Group
✨Know Your Culinary Trends
Make sure to brush up on the latest food trends and innovations. As a Sous Chef, you’ll need to showcase your creativity and passion for modern cuisine during the interview. Be ready to discuss how you can bring fresh ideas to the menu at Headingley Stadium.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and motivated a team in high-pressure environments. Highlight your experience in managing a brigade of chefs and how you’ve inspired them to deliver outstanding results, especially during major events.
✨Demonstrate Financial Awareness
Familiarise yourself with food cost management and stock control. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve previously supported financial performance in your roles. This will show that you understand the business side of culinary operations, which is crucial for a Sous Chef.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
Since you'll be presenting dishes during client tastings, practice how you would confidently describe your culinary creations. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills and passion for food, as these are key attributes for the role.
