Executive Chef - UK Aviation

Sodexo; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Executive Chef to lead culinary innovation in prestigious UK airport lounges. This exciting role involves developing menus, ensuring high-quality food presentation, and managing kitchen teams to deliver exceptional service. The ideal candidate will possess multiethnic food knowledge, strong client relationship skills, and experience in fine dining. Join a forward-thinking team that values creativity and excellence, with opportunities for career progression and professional development in a dynamic work environment. If you are passionate about food and ready to make an impact, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Performance-related bonus

Employer pension contribution

Life assurance

Flexible benefits fund

Access to ongoing training and development

Sodexo Discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering high-quality food across multiple locations.
• Strong knowledge of food safety compliance and culinary standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead menu and recipe development for multiple sites.
• Ensure culinary excellence meets commercial success through audits.
• Drive innovation in food concepts and customer experience.

Skills

Multiethnic food knowledge

Client relationship skills

Food / recipe development knowledge

Food photography knowledge

Organisational and workforce planning Skills

Calm and patient under pressure

Fine Dining experience

Education

IOSH Managing Safely

CIEH Level 3

Tools

Excel

Job description

Sodexo Live! have a rare opportunity for a highly talented Executive Chef to lead culinary innovation across our UK aviation lounges. As our Executive Chef – UK Aviation, you’ll be the driving force behind the culinary experience at some of the busiest and most prestigious UK airport lounges. Working across multiple sites, you’ll develop and elevate our food offer, shape culinary standards, and lead kitchen teams to deliver five-star service to some of the world’s most discerning travellers.

This exciting role will suit an Executive Chef experienced in delivering high-quality, consistent food across multiple locations, managing food costs to meet margin targets, and building strong client relationships. You’ll be confident navigating food safety compliance and driven to exceed customer and passenger satisfaction in a fast-paced, premium hospitality environment.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the culinary direction of premium airport lounges, work with global airline clients, and be part of a forward-thinking, passionate team at Sodexo Live! When you join Sodexo Live! you truly belong, you will have the opportunity to thrive with career and learning opportunities available across the organisation - we can’t wait for you to join us! This is a fantastic permanent position with opportunities for further career progression within a global organisation.

Main Responsibilities

What you’ll do:

1. Lead menu and recipe development in collaboration with our account and chef teams
2. Deliver culinary training and rollout support for new dishes across lounges
3. Own menu specification and costing, ensuring culinary excellence meets commercial success
4. Ensure consistent food presentation and quality through regular site visits and audits
5. Champion food safety and compliance across all kitchen operations
6. Partner with global teams on airline tenders and culinary presentations
7. Support FLOW training and SOP development with up-to-date culinary insights
8. Drive innovation in food concepts, plating, and customer experience

For a full list of responsibilities please read the attached job description.

The Ideal Candidate

What you bring:

1. Essential Multiethnic food knowledge
2. IOSH Managing Safely
3. CIEH Level 3
4. High Level Excel Skills for menu costing and menu cost analysis
5. Client relationship skills
6. Food / recipe development knowledge
7. Food photography knowledge
8. Organisational and workforce planning Skills
9. Financial awareness and understanding
10. Calm and patient under pressure
11. Able to work within a very busy lounge and stressful environment
12. Fine Dining experience
13. Overall, a passion for food

What we offer

You will be rewarded with a salary of £60,000pa - £65,000pa and access to a range of benefits, including a performance-related bonus, employer pension contribution, and life assurance – 1 x annual salary. Flexible benefits fund of £1,300 to utilise across an array of benefits. A flexible and dynamic work environment, fostering work-life balance. Competitive compensation, recognizing your valuable contributions. Access to ongoing training and development programs, empowering you to grow professionally. Countless opportunities to grow within the company, supporting your career progression.

We also offer Sodexo Discounts site promoting discounted mobile phone tariffs, savings across restaurant chains and days out, where you and your family can save money on everything from your weekly food shop to the latest cinema blockbuster and much more! For more information on all the great benefits Sodexo offer to support you and your loved ones, check out the attached Benefits Guide at the bottom of this advert!

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today! 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. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Keywords: executive chef, chef aviation, Culinary Innovation, Menu Development, Food Cost Control, Client Relationship Management, Food Safety Compliance, Team Training & Leadership, Multi-site Operations, Premium Hospitality, chef airport lounges