Job Introduction
Restaurant Head Chef – Royal Dublin Society (RDS), Dublin | Full-Time / Permanent
Up to €60,000 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 20 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, retail discounts, meals on duty, and more.
We're looking for an innovative and passionate Head Chef to lead the culinary vision and day-to-day food operations across all restaurants in the RDS - one of Ireland’s most prestigious event venues, hosting conferences, exhibitions, concerts, sporting events, and the world-famous Dublin Horse Show!
If you're an experienced Head chef with a background in premium fine dining restaurants and the ability to lead and nurture a talented culinary team, we want to hear from you!
Here's an idea of what your shift patterns will be: 5 out of 7 days
We are Levy Ireland
We are a visionary venue partner. We design and deliver bespoke guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet.
We partner with some of the most iconic venues in the UK and Ireland to deliver legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality, including Royal Dublin Society (RDS), The Convention Centre Dublin (CCD), and Aviva Stadium and – we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.
Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.
We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.
Restaurant Head Chef - The role
Working with Levy’s market-leading food philosophy, you’ll be responsible for delivering outstanding restaurant quality dishes across this world-class venue.
Culinary Leadership & Strategy
- Lead the overall culinary restaurant team in line with Levy standards and brand values.
- Develop menus that are innovative, commercially sound and operationally scalable for large-volume events.
- Drive continuous improvement, creativity and food innovation across all offers.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee all restaurant kitchen operations across RDS.
- Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality food, presentation and service at scale.
- Plan and resource kitchens effectively to meet fluctuating event demands.
People Leadership & Development
- Lead, motivate and develop a growing kitchen team.
- Build a strong talent pipeline through training, mentoring and succession planning.
- Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performance kitchen culture.
Financial & Commercial Control
- Work closely with senior kitchen team to manage food costs, gross profit, labour and stock management.
- Assist in purchasing, supplier relationships and cost control in line with Levy and Compass Group standards.
- Drive waste reduction and sustainable practices across the operation.
Food Safety, Compliance & Standards
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, health & safety and HACCP requirements.
- Maintain audit readiness and uphold Levy’s quality and safety standards at all times.
- Ensure all equipment, kitchens and storage areas are maintained to the highest standards.
Stakeholder Collaboration
- Work closely with the restaurant managers to deliver seamless event experiences.
- Support client tastings, menu presentations and bespoke event proposals.
- Represent Levy and RDS with professionalism at all times.
What we’re looking for
- A confident, visible leader who leads from the front.
- Calm under pressure and highly organised.
- Passionate about food, people and delivering excellence at scale.
- Flexible to meet the demands of a busy events calendar
What you'll get in return:
- 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
- Healthcare & wellbeing: HSF Health (dental, optical, therapy treatments)
- Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
- Family benefits
- Perks & discounts
- Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts
- Financial wellbeing
- Development opportunities
- Ongoing training and structured career pathways
- Meals on duty included
- Free Parking on site
Why join us?
Levy Ireland is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company. We partner with some of the most iconic venues in the UK and Ireland to deliver legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality.
