Head Chef — Hotel & Events Kitchen Leader

Wolverhampton Racecourse; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 Annual Members’ passes

Hotel discounts

Annual leave 22–28 days

Pension & life assurance

Healthshield - GP access

Training & development opportunities

Job summary

Arena Racing Company is seeking a Hotel Head Chef to lead our hotel kitchen operation at Wolverhampton Racecourse. You will manage menus, purchasing, people, food safety and profitability in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

You will oversee hotel dining, banqueting and race-day events, building a high-performing team and delivering exceptional guest experiences while driving commercial performance. This role offers opportunities for growth within ARC.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience as Head Chef in hotel or high-volume operation.
• Experience across hotel dining, banqueting, events, and retail.
• Strong track record of managing food costs and margins.
• Excellent knowledge of HACCP, allergens, and food safety.
• Experience with purchasing, stock control, and kitchen 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

Team leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

Purchasing

Budgeting

Staff management

Education

Level 3 Food Safety

Level 3 HACCP

Allergen qualification

Level 4 Food Safety

Tools

Kitchen management systems

Job description

Arena Racing Company is seeking a Hotel Head Chef to lead our hotel kitchen operation at Wolverhampton Racecourse. You will manage menus, purchasing, people, food safety and profitability in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

You will oversee hotel dining, banqueting and race-day events, building a high-performing team and delivering exceptional guest experiences while driving commercial performance. This role offers opportunities for growth within ARC.