Head Chef - Retail

Utilita Arena; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 Days Annual Leave

Life Assurance

5% Pension Contribution

Healthshield Cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Eye Care Support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Referral Scheme

Job summary

Legends Global at Olympia is seeking a Head Chef to lead all culinary operations within the Heritage Halls, delivering world-class food experiences across conferences, exhibitions, banquets, VIP events and live cooking stations.

You will ensure exceptional quality, food safety, cost control and seamless coordination with event and operations teams while inspiring your kitchen team to excel in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing hospitality, events and function catering in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, health & safety, and statutory requirements, with a minimum food hygiene qualification.
• Commercially minded with budgets, cost control and operational efficiencies.
• Confident communicator with strong customer service and IT system usage.

Responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations across exhibitions, banquets, VIP functions and special events.
• Create innovative menus featuring seasonal, international and bespoke dishes.
• Deliver outstanding event catering with high-volume, multi-outlet production.
• Inspire and develop the kitchen team through training and scheduling.
• Drive operational excellence with budgets, stock, wastage, compliance, reporting and stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Hospitality leadership

Team management

Customer service

IT systems proficiency

Education

Food hygiene qualification

Tools

Inventory management systems

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.

The Role

The Head Chef is responsible for leading all culinary operations within the Heritage Halls, 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

The Responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations across exhibitions, banquets, VIP functions and special events, ensuring exceptional standards and flawless delivery.

• Create innovative menus featuring seasonal, international and bespoke dishes that embrace culinary trends, sustainability and local sourcing.

• Deliver outstanding event catering, managing high-volume, multi-outlet food production, service excellence and premium presentation standards.

• Inspire and develop your team, leading, training and scheduling kitchen colleagues while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Drive operational excellence, managing budgets, stock, wastage, compliance, reporting, client tastings and stakeholder relationships while representing the ICC brand.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience managing hospitality, events and function catering within a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

• Strong leadership skills, with a track record of motivating, developing and managing successful teams.

• Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, health & safety and statutory requirements, supported by a food hygiene qualification as a minimum.

• Commercially minded, with experience managing budgets, controlling costs and delivering operational efficiencies.

• A confident communicator, providing exceptional customer service, building relationships across all levels and using IT systems effectively.

What can we offer?

25 Days Annual Leave - Work hard, rest well.

Life Assurance - Peace of mind knowing your loved ones are protected.

5% Pension Contribution - Helping you prepare for a bright future.

Healthshield Cover - Support with dental, physio, counselling and more for you and your children.

Employee Assistance Programme - AXA Health support whenever you need it.

Eye Care Support - Vouchers and contributions towards glasses.

Cycle to Work Scheme - A greener, healthier commute.

Employee Referral Scheme - Recommend great people and get rewarded.

Recruitment Process Outlined

• 1st Stage - Online Interview

• 2nd Stage -Face to Face Interview with the Venue Culinary Team

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.