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- Tasks: Lead culinary innovation and create exciting menus for match days and events.
- Company: Join Sodexo Live! at the iconic St James' Park, home of Newcastle United FC.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work hours, mental health support, and a range of employee discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping high-end food experiences in a vibrant atmosphere.
- Qualifications: Experience in fine dining, strong leadership skills, and a creative mindset required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive, inclusive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 48000 £ per year.
Social network you want to login/join with:
- Newcastle United Football Club, St James Park
- £40,000pa + excellent bonus and benefits
- Great family/work life balance!
- 5/7 mostly to 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:
Lead the development of innovative food concepts and menus that reflect emerging trends and wow our guests.
Work closely with the Executive Head Chef to deliver excellence across match days, events, tastings, and fine dining operations.
Maintain exceptional food quality, hygiene, and safety standards in line with company and statutory regulations.
Own and implement culinary development plans, ensuring NUFC remains at the forefront of culinary innovation.
Drive cost efficiencies through smart purchasing, labour control, and budget management.
Act as a key contact for client-facing tastings and presentations, championing our food with passion and flair.
Lead, inspire and develop the culinary team, ensuring consistent training, development, and engagement.
What You Bring:
Proven experience in fine dining or high-end volume catering environments
A creative mindset and a track record of food innovation
IOSH Managing Safely & CIEH Level 3 (or working towards)
Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
Experience managing budgets and achieving financial targets
A collaborative, flexible, and can-do attitude
What we offer:
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance tobe part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you foryou;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 tobeingan 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.
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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 sports venues. Research what innovative food concepts have been successful at similar locations and think about how you can bring your unique twist to them.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the culinary field, particularly those who have experience in high-volume catering or sports hospitality. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your leadership skills during the interview process. Think of examples where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a fast-paced environment, as this will resonate well with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your approach to maintaining food quality and safety standards. Have specific strategies in mind that demonstrate your commitment to hygiene and excellence, as these are crucial in a high-profile venue like St James' Park.
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 or high-end volume 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, particularly around menu development and client-facing presentations.
Showcase Your Creativity: If possible, include a portfolio or examples of your previous culinary creations. This could be photos of dishes you've designed or menus you've developed, demonstrating your ability to lead and innovate in a high-pressure environment.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you mention any relevant qualifications such as IOSH Managing Safely or CIEH Level 3. If you're working towards these, make it clear in your application to show your commitment to maintaining high standards in food safety and hygiene.
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 work. Bring examples of your creative dishes or concepts to the interview.
✨Understand the Venue's Atmosphere
Familiarise yourself with St James' Park and its culinary offerings. Research the types of events held there and think about how you can enhance the guest experience through your food concepts. This will show your genuine interest in the role and venue.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
The role requires strong leadership and team development. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led a culinary team, managed training, and inspired others. Highlight any specific achievements that showcase your ability to motivate and engage a team.
✨Prepare for Client-Facing Scenarios
Since you'll be acting as a key contact for tastings and presentations, practice how you would present your ideas and dishes to clients. Think about how to communicate your passion for food and how you can champion the culinary offerings effectively.