Performance Chef

Sodexo Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Health & wellbeing platform access

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Sodexo Live! at Headingley Stadium is seeking a Performance Chef to support elite cricketers through high-performance nutrition.

You will lead a kitchen team, design innovative menus, and work with nutritionists and medical staff to ensure meals optimise preparation, recovery and wellbeing. Join a high-performance environment delivering world-class catering for domestic and international players, with leadership opportunities and a focus on athlete wellbeing and continuous improvement in menu

Qualifications

• Experience catering within professional sport or elite performance environments.
• Strong understanding of sports nutrition and performance-focused food.
• Proven leadership in a professional kitchen.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality meals to optimise performance.
• Develop nutritionally balanced menus aligned to training and match demands.
• Collaborate with nutritionists and sports science teams to deliver catering to standards.
• Cater for individual dietary requirements and preferences.
• Inspire athletes through engaging food experiences and education on nutrition.

Skills

Sports nutrition

Leadership

Menu planning

Communication

Budget management

Culinary creativity

Team development

Job description

Fuel Performance. Inspire Excellence. Shape the Future of Elite Cricket

At

Sodexo Live!, we create extraordinary moments through exceptional food. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented

Performance Chef to join our team at

Headingley Stadium, home of

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.

What You’ll Do:

• 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.

For a full list of responsibilities please view the attached job description

What You Bring:

• Experience catering within professional sport, elite performance environments, or high-level athlete programmes
• Strong understanding of sports nutrition and performance-focused food provision
• 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
• 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

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job; it’s a chance tobe part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you foryou;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:

• Free parking
• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment

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 tobeingan 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.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture. The rewards and Benefits guide is attached

Keywords:

Performance Nutrition, Sports Catering, Elite Athlete Nutrition, Professional Sport, High-Performance Environment, Menu Planning, Nutritional ComplianceFood Preparation, Team Catering, Food Safety, HACCP