Job Introduction
Performance Chef - Kia Oval
£50,000 per annum + Benefits
At Levy, we are proud to be the official catering and hospitality partner of The Kia Oval, one of the most iconic cricket venues in the world. We have deliver exceptional food and beverage experiences to hundreds of thousands of guests, from passionate cricket fans to corporate event attendees.
Our commitment to The Kia Oval ensures we continue to elevate match-day hospitality and non-match event catering. With a focus on quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, we tailor our menus based on guest feedback and evolving food trends, creating a first-class experience across all areas of the stadium.
Beyond match days, The Kia Oval hosts a wide range of events, from corporate conferences to private celebrations. Our diverse event spaces allow us to cater to gatherings of all sizes. Whether serving gourmet dishes at a high-profile cricket fixture or crafting bespoke menus for private functions, our team is dedicated to excellence in every detail.
At Levy, we believe in innovation, teamwork, and passion for hospitality. If you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and love delivering outstanding service, we’d love to have you on our team at The Kia Oval.
We’re offering an extraordinary opportunity to be part of a prestigious professional cricket club as a Performance Chef. This is a unique chance for an experienced chef to showcase their culinary talents while supporting the physical performance of top-tier athletes. You’ll be crafting exceptional, nutritious meals tailored to meet the rigorous demands of professional cricket, ensuring every dish fuels peak performance.
As a Performance Chef, you will collaborate with our Performance Nutritionist to create a menu that maximizes player energy, recovery, and overall well-being. While prior experience in catering for professional sports teams is a plus, it’s not essential. What we value most is your passion for food, a keen interest in performance nutrition, and a drive to learn and grow in the world of elite sport nutrition.
Own the Culinary Experience: Ensure the quality of food and atmosphere in the players’ restaurant aligns with the highest standards.
Build Strong Relationships: Develop rapport with athletes and staff, fostering trust and respect.
Inspire Through Expertise: Use your culinary knowledge to educate athletes on food choices that enhance their performance.
Customize for Athletes: Create and modify recipes to meet individual dietary needs and preferences.
Global Cuisine Mastery: Cater to a diverse squad by incorporating a wide range of global cuisines.
Continuous Learning: Stay updated on culinary trends and performance nutrition, incorporating new techniques and ingredients into your work.
Collaborate with Nutrition Experts: Work closely with the performance nutritionist to develop menus and lead cooking sessions focused on performance goals.
Lead & Empower the Team: Demonstrate strong leadership, ensuring catering staff work efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards while maintaining a supportive team culture.
- Professional Catering Qualifications & Experience – Bring your relevant industry qualifications and proven experience in catering for elite sports teams.
- Leadership & Team Management – Lead and motivate a team with strong people management skills, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
- Ability to Perform Under Pressure – Thrive in high-pressure environments, maintaining focus and delivering top-quality results.
- Creative Culinary Expertise – Show your passion and creativity in the kitchen, crafting delicious and innovative dishes tailored to athletes’ needs.
- Strong Communication & Rapport Building – Build strong, effective relationships with staff, athletes, and stakeholders to ensure smooth operation.
- Commitment to Excellence & Continuous Improvement – Stay motivated to improve your skills and drive high standards for yourself and your team.
- Knowledge of Performance Nutrition – Use your understanding of nutrition to create meals that support the athletic performance of professional teams.
- Professional Development & Safeguarding – Dedicate yourself to ongoing training, development, and adherence to the Club’s brand values and safeguarding protocols.
Benefits
- Healthcare & Wellbeing – Medicash health benefits (including dental, mental health & optical for you and up to 4 children), free annual health check with Aviva Digicare, discounts at Nuffield Health & Pure Gym, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Exclusive Perks & Discounts – Save on entertainment (up to 55% off cinema tickets), shopping (up to 15% off), Vodafone plans, and travel with top providers such as TUI & Expedia.
- Workplace Benefits – Meals on duty, pension scheme, life assurance, and professional subscriptions paid.
- Leave & Family Support – 23 days + bank holidays, your birthday off, extra leave after maternity return, a day off for your baby’s 1st birthday, and a holiday purchase scheme.
- Career & Financial Support – Ongoing training & development, career pathways, financial wellbeing programme, and preferred rates on salary finance products.
Who we are:
Levy is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality.
In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long-standing partnerships with venues across sport, entertainment, and events. Our partnerships include venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Principality Stadium, Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and ExCel London.
We are culinary champions – it’s what we do and it’s what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service is key to creating legendary experiences.
Focused on ‘doing the right thing’ for our people and the planet, sustainability, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.
We have a commitment to being Net Zero by 2027, are official partners of the British Paralympic Association, and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.
Why Join Us?
At Levy UK & Ireland, we take pride in fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion. We believe that our differences are our greatest strengths, and we are committed to creating an environment where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered.
Our team is a vibrant tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, which enriches our creativity, innovation, and overall success. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities, promoting fairness, and ensuring that all voices are heard.
We firmly believe that a diverse team leads to innovation and creativity. We welcome candidates from all walks of life and backgrounds to join us in our mission to create a supportive and equitable work environment where everyone has the chance to excel and collaborate.
Join us in our journey towards a more diverse and inclusive world, where every person has the chance to thrive and contribute their unique talents. Together, we can achieve greatness.