Elite Performance Chef & Nutrition Lead

Barnsley Football Club; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford United Football Club is seeking a Head Performance Chef to lead the culinary provision for the club, designing meals that support training load, match performance and recovery, and to run the training ground kitchen and restaurant.

The role requires credibility in high‑performance environments, knowledge of performance nutrition, and leadership to develop the restaurant team and engage players and staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering.
• Significant experience as a chef in professional sport or high‑performance catering.
• Strong knowledge of performance nutrition, hydration, fueling and recovery.
• Experience delivering tailored athlete meal planning and dietary requirements.
• Proven leadership and kitchen management, including recruitment and staff development.
• Experience with food standards, allergen compliance and hygiene systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver performance and recovery‑focused menus aligned to the training cycle, match schedule and individual player demands.
• Tailor individual meals to player dietary requirements, allergies and performance or recovery goals.
• Lead the food offer across the training ground restaurant, ensuring consistency, quality and presentation at every service.
• Support performance through the wider dining experience — a welcoming environment and well‑presented displays and buffets.
• Manage kitchen operations, including hygiene, allergen control and compliance with statutory standards.
• Lead, develop and upskill the restaurant team, setting clear standards and supporting progression.
• Control stock, ordering, supplier relationships and budgets, balancing quality with commercial responsibility.
• Work with sustainability in mind, reducing waste and responsible sourcing.
• Deliver education sessions and cooking demonstrations for players and staff on fueling, cooking skills and food hygiene.

Skills

Nutrition knowledge

Athlete meals

Leadership

Food safety

Budgeting

Communication

High-pressure catering

Education

Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering

Job description

Oxford United Football Club is seeking a Head Performance Chef to lead the culinary provision for the club, designing meals that support training load, match performance and recovery, and to run the training ground kitchen and restaurant.

The role requires credibility in high‑performance environments, knowledge of performance nutrition, and leadership to develop the restaurant team and engage players and staff.