Head Chef

Legends Global (Europe); York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Life Assurance

Pension contribution

Health support

Eye care vouchers

Cycle to Work

Employee Referral Scheme

Job summary

Legends Global is redefining excellence in sport, entertainment and live events. We are seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead our kitchen operation at York Racecourse, overseeing food production across racedays, hospitality, conferences and events with a focus on quality, presentation and service.

You will manage the kitchen team, control food costs and stock, maintain food safety standards and drive high-volume service in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ senior-level experience in a food & beverage, hospitality or similar high-volume environment.
• Confident leader who develops and nurtures talent.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Proactive, positive and solutions-focused with strong operational experience.
• Commercially aware with budgets, margins and cost control.

Responsibilities

• Menu Development: Create and develop innovative, seasonal menus across racedays, hospitality, conferences, banqueting, retail and premium experiences, incorporating local provenance and current food trends.
• Culinary Excellence: Lead all food production, ensuring high standards of quality, presentation, service and guest satisfaction.
• Event Delivery: Lead kitchen operations across racedays, conferences, banqueting and large-scale events, maintaining a hands-on approach during high-volume services.
• Team Leadership: Inspire, develop and manage the culinary team, ensuring staffing, training, performance and smooth day-to-day operations.
• Local Sourcing & Sustainability: Champion Yorkshire produce, seasonal ingredients and sustainable sourcing, building supplier relationships.
• Food Safety & Compliance: Ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and allergen management; maintain 5-star food hygiene rating.
• Cost & Commercial Management: Manage budgets through labour, stock and waste control while balancing quality and cost.
• Operational Collaboration: Work with wider teams to ensure efficient service delivery and high standards across events.

Skills

Team leadership

Food safety

Budgeting

Communication

Excel

Job description

Legends Global is redefining excellence in sport, entertainment and live events. With unrivalled expertise and international reach, we provide end-to-end solutions – from venue development and event programming to revenue strategy and hospitality.

We take a 360-degree, data-driven approach across Partnerships, Hospitality, Merchandise and Attractions, working with leading clients to deliver outstanding experiences that resonate worldwide.

Our organisation is committed to fostering an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where diversity drives innovation and collaboration. Guided by our values of Align, Scale, Connect, Team and Win... we create a culture where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

About The Venue

Located on the historic Knavesmire, York Racecourse is one of the UK’s most prestigious and well-loved racecourses, with over 280 years of history and a strong reputation for world-class flat racing. The venue is home to major fixtures including the internationally acclaimed Ebor Festival, attracting large numbers of racegoers and visitors each year.

Beyond racing, York Racecourse is a versatile events destination, offering a range of indoor and outdoor spaces for conferences, exhibitions, corporate hospitality, banquets, celebrations and large-scale events.

The venue combines its historic setting with modern facilities and is recognised for delivering high-quality food and beverage experiences, exceptional customer service and professional event operations.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen operation alongside our Executive Head Chef. You will be responsible for overseeing food production across racedays, hospitality, conferences and events, ensuring consistently high standards of quality, presentation and service.

You will lead and develop the kitchen team, manage food costs and stock, and ensure all food safety and operational standards are maintained. This is an exciting opportunity for a strong kitchen leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Working within a dynamic hospitality environment, flexibility is essential, with the role requiring commitment to evenings, weekends, and major event days to meet the needs of our clients, guests, and business operations.

What We Can Offer

• You will work hard at Legends Global , but you will be rewarded with lots of time to relax and rest with 25 days annual leave
• We understand that you have a life outside of work and want to ensure that your loved ones will always be taken care of whilst you’re contributing to our success with our Life Assurance policy.
• A healthy contribution of Pension so that your golden years are spent ticking off the items on your bucket list.
• Got a dental bill? Need to book a counselling session? Or even help with Physio costs? With the support of Healthshield; Legends Global will support with these unexpected costs. For you and any children.
• We understand that from time to time you might need a bit of support to get you back to feeling your best, so we have teamed up with AXA Health to provide our people with an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support mental health in the workplace.
• We are visionaries: both physically and metaphorically! When you join Legends Global you will be entitled to eye care vouchers and a contribution towards any glasses you require.
• Pedal your way to a greener, healthier commute—join our Cycle to Work scheme and turn every ride into a win for you and the planet
• Great people know great people! Refer a friend through our Employee Referral Scheme and get rewarded for helping us build an amazing team.

Key Responsibilities

• Menu Development: Create and develop innovative, seasonal menus across racedays, hospitality, conferences, banqueting, retail and premium experiences, incorporating local provenance and current food trends.
• Culinary Excellence: Lead all food production, ensuring consistently high standards of quality, presentation, service and guest satisfaction.
• Event Delivery: Lead kitchen operations across racedays, conferences, banqueting and large-scale events, maintaining a hands‑on approach during high-volume services.
• Team Leadership: Inspire, develop and manage the culinary team, ensuring effective staffing, training, performance and smooth day-to-day operations.
• Local Sourcing & Sustainability: Champion Yorkshire produce, seasonal ingredients and sustainable sourcing, while building strong supplier relationships.
• Food Safety & Compliance: Ensure the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, allergen management and health & safety, maintaining the venue’s 5-star food hygiene rating.
• Cost & Commercial Management: Support departmental budgets through effective labour, stock and waste management, balancing culinary quality with commercial performance.
• Operational Collaboration: Work closely with wider operational teams to ensure efficient service delivery, adequate support and consistently high standards across all events.

We Are Looking For Someone With

• Minimum 3 years’ senior-level experience in a food & beverage, hospitality or similar high-volume environment.
• A confident team leader who leads by example and is passionate about developing and nurturing talent.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Proactive, positive and solutions‑focused, with strong operational experience.
• Commercially aware, with a good understanding of budgets, margins and cost control.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and allergen awareness, with a commitment to maintaining the highest standards.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• IT literate, with a good working knowledge of Excel.
• Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work across racedays, events, evenings and weekends.

Recruitment Process Outlined

• 1st Stage- Intro Call with the Talent Team
• 2nd Stage- Interview with Exec Head Chef & Regional Exec Chef

Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks. These may include verification of identity, proof of address, right to work, employment history, qualifications, and—where relevant to the role—a basic or enhanced DBS check. All checks will be carried out in line with data protection law and we will only request information that is necessary for the role.

Inclusive Workplace

At Legends Global , we are committed to leading the entertainment industry towards a greener, faster, and more innovative digital future. There’s never been a better time to join our team. We aim to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. Join us and make a significant impact from day one.

We are committed to active inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities. This commitment begins with our recruitment and selection process. We welcome discussions about flexible working arrangements.

If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of our recruitment process, please let us know in your application. We are dedicated to providing a fair and transparent assessment process and will do our utmost to accommodate your needs.