Performance Chef

Sodexo; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee rewards & family benefits

Disability Confident Leader employer

Job summary

Sodexo Live! is recruiting a chef to support elite athletes at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, delivering nutrition-focused meals that align with training, recovery and wellbeing goals.

You will collaborate with sports science, nutrition and medical staff to create innovative menus, lead a kitchen team and engage players with education on healthy eating. The role rewards excellence and measurable impact on performance.

Qualifications

• Experience catering within professional sport or elite performance environments.
• Strong understanding of sports nutrition and performance-focused food provision.
• Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification.
• Proven leadership experience within a professional kitchen environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for culinary innovation and athlete wellbeing.
• Motivated to drive high standards and continuous improvement.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality meals designed to optimise performance and recovery.
• Develop creative, nutritionally balanced menus aligned to training schedules, match demands and recovery strategies.
• Work closely with the Club Nutritionist, Performance Coaches and Science & Medicine teams to deliver world-class catering provision.
• Cater for individual dietary requirements, allergies, cultural preferences and performance goals.
• Inspire athletes through engaging food experiences and education around nutrition and healthy eating.
• Manage kitchen operations, food standards, hygiene compliance and stock control.
• Lead, motivate and develop kitchen teams, creating a positive and high-performing culture.
• Continuously research culinary and nutritional trends to keep menus fresh, innovative and performance focused.
• Support wider stadium and hospitality operations when required.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Sports nutrition

Menu development

Communication

Pressure handling

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene

Job description

Yorkshire County Cricket Club, where you'll play a vital role in supporting elite athletes through high-performance nutrition. You'll be responsible for delivering innovative, performance-focused cuisine that directly supports the preparation, recovery and wellbeing of professional cricketers competing at domestic and international level. Working closely with sports science, nutrition and medical teams, you'll help ensure that every meal contributes to success on and off the field. If you enjoy working in high-performance environments and want your culinary skills to contribute directly to elite sporting success, we'd love to hear from you. This unique opportunity is suited to an ambitious chef who appreciates the important connection between great food, wellbeing and athletic performance. You'll combine exceptional culinary skills with strong leadership, creativity and a genuine desire to help athletes perform at their best. You'll be equally comfortable developing innovative menus, leading a kitchen team, collaborating with medical professionals and engaging directly with players. Most importantly, you'll be motivated by excellence and thrive in an environment where your work has a measurable impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality meals designed to optimise performance and recovery.
• Develop creative, nutritionally balanced menus aligned to training schedules, match demands and recovery strategies.
• Work closely with the Club Nutritionist, Performance Coaches and Science & Medicine teams to deliver world-class catering provision.
• Cater for individual dietary requirements, allergies, cultural preferences and performance goals.
• Inspire athletes through engaging food experiences and education around nutrition and healthy eating.
• Manage kitchen operations, food standards, hygiene compliance and stock control.
• Lead, motivate and develop kitchen teams, creating a positive and high-performing culture.
• Continuously research culinary and nutritional trends to keep menus fresh, innovative and performance focused.
• Support wider stadium and hospitality operations when required.

Required Experience

• + Experience catering within professional sport, elite performance environments, or high-level athlete programmes
• + Strong understanding of sports nutrition and performance-focused food provision
• + Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification
• + Proven leadership experience within a professional kitchen environment
• + Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• + Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• + Passion for culinary innovation and athlete wellbeing
• + Highly motivated with a commitment to driving high standards and continuous improvement
• + Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively

Desirable

• + Experience working with professional sports teams
• + Knowledge of current sports nutrition principles and recovery strategies
• + Experience delivering educational sessions around nutrition, healthy eating, or cooking skills
• + Experience tailoring menus to meet individual dietary, allergy, cultural, and performance requirements
• + Multi-cultural and international cuisine experience
• + Experience managing food budgets, stock control, and ordering processes
• + Previous experience leading and developing kitchen teams within a high-performance environment
• + Understanding of athlete preparation, recovery, and training nutrition requirements

Sodexo Live!, we create extraordinary moments through exceptional food. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented, Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families, About Sodexo Live! At Sodexo Live!, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins. Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins. We're a Disability Confident Leader employer. We're committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.