Head Chef- Nec Exhibitions - Birmingham

Equipment Sales & Service Limited.; Park Central; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Wellbeing

Annual leave

Life assurance

Meals on duty

Pension

Discounts

Birthday off

Meal allowance

Career development

Job summary

Levy UK & Ireland at NEC Birmingham is hiring a Head Chef to lead a high-volume kitchen delivering premium experiences across exhibitions, conferences, banqueting and live events. You will coach a diverse kitchen team, develop menus with the Executive Chef and ensure exceptional food quality, safety and service.

Join a passionate, sustainability-focused venue partner offering comprehensive benefits and a clear career path within a world-class events environment.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef experience in high-volume events.
• Ability to lead and develop a diverse kitchen team.
• Strong food safety and HACCP knowledge.
• Experience delivering food for exhibitions, conferences, banqueting, and large events.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day running of kitchen operations and maintain high food quality and service.
• Lead, motivate and develop a talented kitchen brigade.
• Deliver exceptional food across exhibitions, conferences, banqueting, hospitality and live events.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef to implement Levy menus and concepts.
• Plan food production to meet high-volume event demands.
• Ensure kitchen is prepared and resourced for each event.
• Work with Operations, Events and Front of House for seamless service.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene, cleanliness and HACCP compliance.
• Own food cost, waste management, stock control and labour.
• Support menu development and introduce new ideas.
• Adapt to changing event requirements and last-minute requests.
• Coach and develop chefs at all levels and support their progression.
• Assist recruitment, onboarding and training of new kitchen staff.
• Identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and guest experience.
• Lead by example during busy services and stay calm under pressure.
• Champions Levy's sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Skills

Leadership

Culinary excellence

Food safety

Cost control

Staff development

Organisation

Education

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Job description

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.

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

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.