Head Chef- NEC Exhibitions

Chartwells Independent; Park Central; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

23 days annual leave

Birthday off

Meals on duty

Pension

Mental health support

Job summary

Levy UK & Ireland is seeking a Head Chef to lead the culinary operation at NEC Exhibitions, Birmingham. You will head a busy kitchen, deliver exceptional food across exhibitions, conferences and banqueting, and manage a large kitchen brigade with a focus on quality, safety and cost control.

Join a dynamic team dedicated to guest experience, sustainability, and continuous menu development, working evenings and event-driven schedules in a high-profile venue.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or senior culinary leader in hospitality or live event environments.
• Experience in high-volume, fast-paced kitchen operations.
• Experience delivering food for exhibitions, conferences, banqueting, hospitality or large-scale events.
• Strong leadership with ability to coach and develop a diverse kitchen team.
• Excellent culinary skills with passion for quality food.
• Understanding of food cost, waste, stock control and labour planning.
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day running of your kitchen operation, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service.
• Lead, motivate and develop a talented kitchen brigade, creating a positive culture where people can thrive.
• Deliver exceptional food across exhibitions, conferences, banqueting, hospitality and live events.
• Work closely with the Executive Chef and wider culinary team to bring Levy menus and concepts to life.
• Plan and organise food production to meet the demands of high-volume event days.
• Ensure the kitchen is fully prepared, resourced and operationally ready for each event.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Events and Front of House teams to deliver seamless service.
• Maintain excellent standards of food safety, hygiene, cleanliness and HACCP compliance.
• Take ownership of food cost, waste management, stock control and labour within your kitchen.
• Support menu development and bring creativity and new ideas to the food offer.
• Adapt quickly to changing event requirements and last-minute requests.
• Coach and develop chefs at all levels, supporting their progression and career development.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and training of new kitchen team members.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and the overall guest experience.
• Lead by example during busy services and remain calm, organised and solutions-focused under pressure.
• Champion Levy's commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing

Skills

Leadership

High-volume kitchen

Food safety awareness

Guest experience focus

Education

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Job description

Head Chef – NEC Exhibitions, Birmingham | Full-Time / Permanent

Competitive salary + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We’re looking for...

We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Head Chef to join our culinary team at the NEC Birmingham, one of the UK's largest and busiest exhibition and live events venues. From large-scale exhibitions and conferences to premium hospitality and banqueting, you'll lead a talented kitchen team and play a key role in delivering exceptional food experiences for thousands of guests.

We are Levy

We are a visionary venue partner. We design and deliver bespoke guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world’s most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events – from Wimbledon and Twickenham to 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 – NEC Exhibitions - The Role

As Head Chef, you'll play a key role in leading the culinary operation across one of the UK's busiest and most prestigious exhibition venues.

• Lead the day-to-day running of your kitchen operation, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation and service
• Lead, motivate and develop a talented kitchen brigade, creating a positive culture where people can thrive
• Deliver exceptional food across exhibitions, conferences, banqueting, hospitality and live events
• Work closely with the Executive Chef and wider culinary team to bring Levy menus and concepts to life
• Plan and organise food production to meet the demands of high-volume event days
• Ensure the kitchen is fully prepared, resourced and operationally ready for each event
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Events and Front of House teams to deliver seamless service
• Maintain excellent standards of food safety, hygiene, cleanliness and HACCP compliance
• Take ownership of food cost, waste management, stock control and labour within your kitchen
• Support menu development and bring creativity and new ideas to the food offer
• Adapt quickly to changing event requirements and last-minute requests
• Coach and develop chefs at all levels, supporting their progression and career development
• Support recruitment, onboarding and training of new kitchen team members
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and the overall guest experience
• Lead by example during busy services and remain calm, organised and solutions-focused under pressure
• Champion Levy's commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or senior culinary leader within hospitality, events, exhibitions, hotels, stadia or contract catering
• Experience working in a high-volume, fast-paced kitchen environment
• Experience delivering food for exhibitions, conferences, banqueting, hospitality or large-scale events
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach and develop a diverse kitchen team
• Excellent culinary skills and a genuine passion for great food
• Strong understanding of food cost, waste management, stock control and labour planning
• Excellent organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Calm, resilient and adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a busy event environment
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Passion for guest experience, food quality and service excellence
• Creative and solutions-focused, with a desire to continuously improve
• Level 3 Food Safety qualification, or willingness to obtain
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and event-specific schedules
• Full eligibility to work in the UK

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary with bonus 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: Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. 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.

At the NEC Birmingham, no two days are the same. From major international exhibitions and conferences to live events, banqueting and premium hospitality, our teams deliver outstanding experiences to thousands of guests every day.

As part of Levy UK & Ireland and Compass Group UK&I, you'll be joining a business where there are genuine opportunities to develop your career, learn from some of the best people in the industry and work across some of the UK's most iconic venues.

Job Reference: com/1409/43420001/52833011/SU #Levy UK

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!