Head Chef - Kempton Park Racecourse

Chartwells Independent; Sunbury-on-Thames; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in Sunbury-on-Thames is seeking a motivated Head Chef to oversee kitchen operations for Kempton Park Racecourse. The ideal candidate will lead a dedicated team, manage culinary standards, and drive menu innovation. A competitive salary of up to £45,000 plus excellent benefits including healthcare and 23 days' annual leave is offered. Join us and contribute to unforgettable dining experiences.

Benefits

Healthcare & wellbeing support

23 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension scheme

Meals on duty included

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in large events with a high volume of casual workforce is advantageous.
• Passion for fresh ingredients and quality food.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations for events and race days.
• Manage culinary team and maintain high culinary standards.
• Plan orders of ingredients and equipment.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Menu Innovation

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Computer Literacy

Job description

Overview

Head Chef - Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey | Full time / Permanent

Up to £45,000 + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We seeking a motivated Head Chef at Kempton Park Racecourse as part of Jockey Club Catering, a partnership between the leading commercial group in British horse racing - The Jockey Club, and Compass Group UK & Ireland.

As Head Chef you will lead the day-to-day running of the kitchen for both Conference and Events and Race Days at Kempton Park Racecourse, with occasion travel to one of our other leading racecourses. You will be responsible for setting and maintaining high culinary standards, driving menu development and innovation, and managing your dedicated culinary team.

If you have the passion and motivation to inspire your kitchen to achieve top culinary standards, we want to hear from you!

We are Levy

Levy is about elevating experiences. We are a leading global hospitality partner, designing and delivering unforgettable guest moments that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world’s most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events – including Wimbledon, Twickenham, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London – we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.

Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show-stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.

We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.

Head Chef – the role

• Leading the brigade to successfully deliver the highest possible culinary standards.
• Ensuring sufficient staff are allocated to all locations.
• Liaising with management and the culinary team, ensuring any event changes are reacted to in a timely manner.
• Planning orders of equipment and ingredients according to identified shortages.
• Building relationships with casual workforce and supporting recruitment.
• Acting as the point of contact on live event days.
• Managing all company and legislative paperwork surrounding Health and Safety and Food Safety.
• Directing food preparation processes and any other related activity.
• Using your passion for fresh local produce to develop culinary activity.
• Striving for continuous innovation and improvement of the work environment and unit performance.
• Managing food gross profit, food cost of sale, food stock takes, culinary department’s payroll costs.
• Managing the delivery, stock take and waste management of all culinary goods including order reporting

What we’re looking for

• A passion for fresh ingredients and menu innovation
• Flexible working subject to business requirements
• Computer literate
• The role will be working in a fast-paced environment so experience in large events with a high volume of casual workforce would be an advantage.
• A love of hospitality, food, and quality fresh ingredients.
• The ability to work under pressure, whilst maintaining a positive attitude.
• Great leadership skills - Kitchen and Team management

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary and full company benefits
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments)
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Family benefits: 2 days’ additional leave after returning from maternity leave, day off for your baby’s first birthday, enhanced family leave
• Perks & discounts: Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts, 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships
• Financial wellbeing: Pension scheme, Life Assurance, preferred rates on salary finance products
• Development opportunities: Professional subscriptions, ongoing training and structured career pathways
• Meals on duty included

Why Join Us?

Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality.

We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.

Together, we create unforgettable experiences – and shape the future of hospitality.