Head Chef - ICC

Utilita Arena; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted tickets

25 days annual leave

Life Assurance

5% pension contribution

HealthShield cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Eye care vouchers

Cycle to Work

Refer a friend

Will writing service

Mortgage advice

Rail season ticket

Job summary

Legends Global in London is seeking a Head Chef to lead all culinary operations at Olympia's International Convention Centre, delivering world‑class food experiences across conferences, exhibitions, banquets, VIP events and live cooking stations.

You will drive menu innovation, oversee training and staffing, ensure food safety and health & safety compliance, manage costs and stock, and collaborate with event and operations teams to create exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef leadership experience.
• Strong operational and event catering expertise.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety and compliance.
• Commercial awareness and financial acumen.
• A collaborative and customer-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver world-class culinary operations across conventions, exhibitions, banquets, VIP events and special functions, ensuring seamless execution and premium quality at scale.
• Drive menu innovation and culinary excellence, creating diverse, seasonal and bespoke dining experiences that reflect global trends, sustainability and exceptional presentation standards.
• Inspire and develop high-performing kitchen teams, overseeing training, staffing, rota planning and cross-functional collaboration to foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Own operational performance and compliance, maintaining the highest standards of food safety, health & safety, sustainability, waste reduction and service delivery.
• Support commercial success and stakeholder engagement, managing budgets, food costs, inventory and forecasting while leading tastings, contributing to client proposals and representing the culinary brand at high-profile events.

Skills

Head Chef leadership

Event catering experience

Food safety knowledge

Budget management

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Food Hygiene qualification

Job description

The Venue

Olympia Events manages the iconic event venues at Olympia, a cultural and architectural landmark that has hosted extraordinary events since 1886. From internationally renowned consumer exhibitions and trade shows to sporting events, concerts and conferences, Olympia continues to bring world-class experiences to London. Its distinctive architecture and nearly 140-year heritage make it one of the UK's most recognisable and sought-after event destinations.

Today, Olympia is entering an exciting new chapter. At the heart of a £1.3 billion transformation, the estate has been reimagined as London's newest fully integrated entertainment, culture and business destination. Designed by Heatherwick Studio and SPARCC for Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International, the redevelopment combines Olympia's historic event spaces with an exceptional new destination for visitors, businesses and event organisers.

About the Role

The Head Chef is responsible for leading all culinary operations within the International Convention Centre, delivering world‑class food experiences across conferences, exhibitions, banquets, VIP events, and live cooking stations. The role ensures exceptional quality, innovation, food safety compliance, cost control, and seamless coordination with event and operations teams.

What we can offer

At Legends Global, hosting events is what we do best—and we want our people to experience it too. Enjoy discounted tickets to your favourite events and unleash your inner superfan.

Work hard, rest well: you’ll get 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

We care about life outside work—our Life Assurance policy helps protect your loved ones while you focus on success.

Plan for the future with our 5% pension contribution, so your golden years are all about the bucket list.

HealthShield helps cover unexpected medical costs such as dental, physio, and counselling expenses—for you and your children.

We’ve partnered with AXA Health to offer an Employee Assistance Programme supporting mental wellbeing.

See clearly and think big with our eye care vouchers and glasses contribution.

Go green and get fit with our Cycle to Work scheme.

And because great people know great people—refer a friend and get rewarded.

Gain extra peace of mind with a free will writing service through mylastwill.com, helping you protect what matters most.

Take the stress out of homeownership with free mortgage advice, providing expert guidance when you need it.

Make your commute easier and more affordable with our Northern Rail season ticket scheme, helping you save on travel throughout the year.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and deliver world‑class culinary operations across conventions, exhibitions, banquets, VIP events and special functions, ensuring seamless execution and premium quality at scale.

• Drive menu innovation and culinary excellence, creating diverse, seasonal and bespoke dining experiences that reflect global trends, sustainability and exceptional presentation standards.

• Inspire and develop high‑performing kitchen teams, overseeing training, staffing, rota planning and cross‑functional collaboration to foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

• Own operational performance and compliance, maintaining the highest standards of food safety, health & safety, sustainability, waste reduction and service delivery.

• Support commercial success and stakeholder engagement, managing budgets, food costs, inventory and forecasting while leading tastings, contributing to client proposals and representing the culinary brand at high‑profile events.
  

We are looking for someone with:

• Proven Head Chef leadership experience, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop kitchen teams in fast‑paced hospitality, events or function‑led environments.

• Strong operational and event catering expertise, including planning and delivering high‑quality hospitality, banquets and large‑scale functions.

• Excellent knowledge of food safety and compliance, with a thorough understanding of food hygiene, health & safety and statutory requirements, supported by a Food Hygiene qualification.

• Commercial awareness and financial acumen, with experience managing food costs, budgets, stock control and operational efficiencies.

• A collaborative and customer‑focused approach, combining excellent stakeholder management, strong IT skills and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
  

Recruitment Process Outlined:

• 1st Stage-Intro Call with HR Team

• 2nd Stage-Interview with F&B Director

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.