Head Chef - High-Volume Hotel & Events Kitchen Leader

Wolverhampton Racecourse and Conference Centre; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 Annual Members’ passes for racedays

Hotel discounts and complimentary golf

Annual leave 22–28 days

Pension & group life assurance

Healthshield – 24/7 GP & EAP

Funded training & development

Job summary

Arena Racing Company (Wolverhampton Racecourse) is seeking an ambitious Hotel Head Chef to lead the hotel kitchen operation, from menus and purchasing to people and food safety. You will drive profitability in a fast-paced venue, balancing banqueting, dining and race-day demands.

Join a diverse team at Wolverhampton Racecourse and deliver exceptional guest experiences while upholding HACCP and allergen standards, with opportunities for growth and development.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of Head Chef experience in hotel, hospitality or high-volume operation.
• Experience across hotel dining, banqueting, events, retail and/or fine dining.
• Proven track record of managing and improving food costs and margins.
• Strong experience managing labour and staffing costs against budget.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP, nutrition and allergens.
• Experience with purchasing, stock control and kitchen management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead & inspire – manage, motivate and develop a team of Chefs and Kitchen Porters, creating a positive, high-performing kitchen culture.
• Deliver exceptional food – oversee menus, preparation, presentation and quality across the hotel and events operation.
• Drive commercial performance – manage food costs, GP, purchasing, stock, waste and labour to achieve agreed budgets and targets.
• Plan & organise – ensure the kitchen is fully resourced and prepared for hotel operations, functions, events and race days.
• Set the standard – maintain the highest standards of food safety, HACCP, allergens, hygiene and legal compliance.
• Develop the operation – identify opportunities to improve menus, processes, kitchen performance and the overall guest experience.
• Work collaboratively – build strong relationships with the wider hotel and catering teams to deliver outstanding service.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Food safety knowledge

Budgeting / cost control

Purchasing

Stock control

Kitchen communication

Education

Level 3 Food Safety

Level 3 HACCP

Allergen qualification

Level 4 Food Safety Management

Job description

Arena Racing Company (Wolverhampton Racecourse) is seeking an ambitious Hotel Head Chef to lead the hotel kitchen operation, from menus and purchasing to people and food safety. You will drive profitability in a fast-paced venue, balancing banqueting, dining and race-day demands.

Join a diverse team at Wolverhampton Racecourse and deliver exceptional guest experiences while upholding HACCP and allergen standards, with opportunities for growth and development.