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- Tasks: Lead culinary innovation and create exciting menus for match days and events.
- Company: Join Sodexo at Newcastle United Football Club, a premier venue in the Northeast.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, mental health support, discounts, and career growth opportunities.
- 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: Full training provided, with a focus on inclusivity and community support.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Development Chef – Newcastle United Football Club
Employer Sodexo Location Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear Salary £40,000pa + excellent bonus and benefits Closing date 7 Jul 2025
Development Chef – Newcastle United Football Club
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.
Visit this company’s hub to learn about their values, culture, and latest jobs.
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Development Chef - Newcastle United Football Club employer: Sodexo
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef - Newcastle United Football Club
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the culinary trends and preferences specific to high-end dining, especially in sports venues. Research what other clubs are doing and think about how you can bring something unique to Newcastle United.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the culinary and hospitality industry, particularly those who have experience in sports catering. Attend events or join online forums where you can connect with others who might provide insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your creativity by developing a few innovative menu ideas that could fit within the context of a football club. This will demonstrate your passion and readiness to contribute to the culinary team at St James' Park.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you would inspire a culinary team. Think about examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or implemented new ideas in a kitchen setting.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef - Newcastle United Football Club
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in fine dining or high-end catering environments. Emphasise any innovative food concepts you've developed and your leadership skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for culinary innovation and your understanding of the role at Newcastle United Football Club. Mention specific examples of how you've led teams or developed successful menus.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Include any relevant qualifications such as IOSH Managing Safely or CIEH Level 3. If you're working towards these, mention that too, as it shows your commitment to professional development.
Showcase Your Creativity: In your application, provide examples of how you've driven culinary innovation in previous roles. This could include unique dishes you've created or successful events you've managed.
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 culinary creations and how they reflect current food trends. Bring along a portfolio or photos of your best dishes to impress the interviewers.
✨Understand the Venue's Atmosphere
Familiarise yourself with Newcastle United Football Club and its dining offerings. Understanding the venue's unique atmosphere will help you tailor your ideas to fit their brand and clientele, showing that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments like match days or large events. Highlight your approach to training and developing team members.
✨Prepare for Client-Facing Scenarios
Since you'll be involved in tastings and presentations, practice how you would present your culinary concepts to clients. Think about how to communicate your passion for food and engage your audience effectively during these interactions.