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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary innovation and create exciting menus for a top sporting venue.
- Company: Join Sodexo Live! at Newcastle United Football Club, a leader in hospitality services.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, mental health support, discounts, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant atmosphere while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in fine dining, strong leadership skills, and a creative mindset required.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and community involvement.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 48000 £ per year.
Development Chef
- Newcastle United Football Club, St James Park
- £40,000pa + excellent bonus and benefits
- Great family/work life balance!
- 5/7 mostly 08.00 to 16.30 but flexibility essential depending on football fixtures
Job Introduction
Are you a culinary innovator with a passion for high-end food experiences? Are you ready to lead and elevate hospitality at one of the UK\’s most iconic sporting venues?
Sodexo Live! has a fantastic opportunity for a Development Chef to join our award-winning team at St James\’ Park , Newcastle United Football Club . This is your chance to shape the culinary future of a world-class venue.
Home of Newcastle United Football Club, St. James\’ Park stands as Newcastle\’s iconic landmark and a premier destination in the Northeast, offering some of the most expansive, state-of-the-art facilities for meetings, conferences, and events of all scales. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a renowned venue celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and prestige.
We are seeking a highly motivated and passion-driven Development Chef to join our dynamic culinary team. This is a unique opportunity for a creative chef to lead the development and execution of innovative food offerings that cater to the evolving tastes and preferences of our diverse clientele
What You\’ll Do:
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Lead the development of innovative food concepts and menus that reflect emerging trends and wow our guests.
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Work closely with the Executive Head Chef to deliver excellence across match days, events, tastings, and fine dining operations.
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Maintain exceptional food quality, hygiene, and safety standards in line with company and statutory regulations.
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Own and implement culinary development plans, ensuring NUFC remains at the forefront of culinary innovation.
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Drive cost efficiencies through smart purchasing, labour control, and budget management.
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Act as a key contact for client-facing tastings and presentations, championing our food with passion and flair.
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Lead, inspire and develop the culinary team, ensuring consistent training, development, and engagement.
What You Bring:
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Proven experience in fine dining or high-end volume catering environments
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A creative mindset and a track record of food innovation
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IOSH Managing Safely & CIEH Level 3 (or working towards)
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Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
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Experience managing budgets and achieving financial targets
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A collaborative, flexible, and can-do attitude
What we offer:
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it\’s a chance to be part of something greater.You\’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you\’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you\’ll be able to thrive in your own way.In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:
- 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
- Full training and full protective uniform supplied.
Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!Career progression for the caring profession.
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.
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.
Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.
Keywords:
Sodexo, Sodexo Jobs, Sodexo Jobs near me, disability confident, family friendly, inclusive, forces friendly, Development Chef, Fine Dining, Culinary Innovation, Executive Chef Support, Menu Development, Stadium Catering, Event Catering, Food Safety Compliance, Team Leadership,
Cost Control #J-18808-Ljbffr
Development Chef employer: Sodexo
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the culinary trends and preferences specific to high-end dining, especially in a sports venue context. Research what other successful Development Chefs have implemented in similar environments to inspire your own ideas.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the culinary and hospitality industry, particularly those who have experience in stadium or event catering. Attend relevant events or workshops to make connections that could help you stand out during the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you would inspire and develop a culinary team. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully led a team or implemented innovative food concepts.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to showcase your passion for food innovation during interviews. Consider creating a portfolio of your previous work, including menu designs and photos of dishes you've created, to visually demonstrate your creativity and expertise.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in fine dining and high-end catering environments. Emphasise any innovative food concepts you've developed and your leadership skills, as these are key for the Development Chef role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for culinary innovation and how you can contribute to the hospitality at St James' Park. Mention specific examples of your previous work that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Creativity: If possible, include a portfolio or examples of your previous menu designs or food concepts. This will demonstrate your creative mindset and ability to lead culinary development.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you mention any relevant qualifications such as IOSH Managing Safely and CIEH Level 3. If you're working towards these, make that clear too, as it shows your commitment to professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
As a Development Chef, your ability to innovate is key. Prepare to discuss your previous experiences with menu development and how you've incorporated emerging food trends into your dishes. Bring examples of your work or ideas that could wow the guests at St James' Park.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership and team management. Be ready to share specific instances where you've successfully led a culinary team, inspired creativity, or improved team performance. Highlight your communication style and how you engage with your team.
✨Understand the Venue's Unique Environment
Familiarise yourself with Newcastle United Football Club and its culinary offerings. Research their current menus and think about how you can elevate the dining experience. Showing that you understand the venue's atmosphere will demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Prepare for Client-Facing Scenarios
Since you'll be acting as a key contact for tastings and presentations, practice how you would present your culinary concepts to clients. Think about how to convey your passion for food and how you can tailor offerings to meet diverse clientele needs.