Head Chef- Retail Aston Villa FC

Levy UK; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global hospitality firm is seeking a Retail Head Chef to join their team at Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham. The successful candidate will lead a brigade of chefs in creating vibrant, high-quality food experiences for fans during matchdays and events. Candidates should have a proven track record in high-pressure kitchen environments, coupled with strong leadership and culinary skills. This role offers a competitive salary of £40,000 per annum, along with comprehensive benefits that include health care, holidays, and ongoing training.

Benefits

Competitive salary

23 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Healthcare benefits

Discounts on various services

Ongoing training & development

Family-friendly leave

Qualifications

• Experience as a Head Chef or Sous Chef in high-volume kitchens.
• Proven record in high-pressure environments such as stadiums or large events.
• Strong ability to create and execute appealing menus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate kitchen staff on matchdays and events.
• Ensure food quality and speedy service for thousands of fans.
• Design menus that emphasize street food and stadium culture.
• Train and mentor kitchen teams to uphold Levy’s standards.
• Collaborate with operations to meet commercial objectives.
• Uphold food safety and sustainability in kitchen practices.

Skills

Leadership

Creativity

Commercial awareness

Food safety standards

Job description

Retail Head Chef - Aston Villa Football Club

Bring the Heat to the Home of the Claret & Blue!

Role in a nutshell

Levy UK is the official catering partner to Aston Villa Football Club, delivering world‑class hospitality and retail experiences across the iconic Villa Park stadium and the wider Aston Villa estate.

Since 1874, Aston Villa has been at the heart of English football. Today, Villa Park welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans and guests every season — from buzzing concourses and vibrant fan zones to suites, boxes, and conferences. Every matchday, every event, every service is an opportunity to celebrate the passion, pride, and tradition of the Villans.

Why this role?

At Levy UK, we don’t just cook food — we fuel football moments. Behind every roar of the Holte End, every chant of “Villa, Villa, Villa,” is a kitchen team serving big flavours, fast service, and quality at scale.

Now, we’re looking for a Retail Head Chef to lead from the front in our stadium kitchens. This is more than a chef role — it’s a chance to bring bold, crowd‑pleasing menus to one of the most historic football venues in the world.

This isn’t your average kitchen. This is Villa Park — a ground where legends are made, memories are shared, and food is part of the experience.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Leading and motivating a brigade of chefs across multiple retail kitchens on matchdays and major events
• Driving food quality, speed, and consistency — feeding thousands of fans without missing a beat
• Designing and delivering menus with a street food edge and stadium atmosphere
• Training, mentoring, and energising teams to deliver Levy’s signature flair with every dish
• Partnering with operations and culinary leaders to achieve commercial goals while never compromising flavour
• Championing food safety, hygiene, and sustainability standards across all kitchens

What we’re looking for

• A passionate, people‑focused Head Chef — or an ambitious Sous Chef ready to step up
• Proven success running high‑volume, high‑pressure kitchens (stadiums, arenas, or large‑scale hospitality an advantage)
• Creativity with commercial know‑how — you know what sells, and how to deliver it fast
• Strong leadership and resilience — calm under pressure, inspiring in the heat of service
• Hands‑on leadership — you lead from the line, not just the office
• A strong commitment to sustainability: sourcing seasonal, local ingredients, reducing waste, promoting low‑carbon menus.

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary of £40,000 per annum
• Pension scheme & life assurance
• 23 days holiday + Bank Holidays, plus your birthday off
• Healthcare benefits including dental, optical, therapy treatments & free annual checks
• Discounts including Vodafone, Nuffield Health, Pure Gym, shopping & travel perks
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Ongoing training & development through Levy career pathways
• Family‑friendly benefits (2 days extra leave post‑maternity return, day off for baby’s first birthday)
• Employee Assistance Programme & wellbeing support

We are Levy

Levy is about elevating experiences. As the global leader in sports and entertainment hospitality, we design and deliver unforgettable guest experiences that celebrate people, planet, and passion.

From Premier League clubs to world‑class arenas, we combine culinary innovation, seamless operations, and sustainability leadership to make every event extraordinary. At Villa Park, our mission is simple: to fuel the pride of the claret and blue, one unforgettable matchday at a time.