Performance Chef

Barnsley Football Club; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford United Football Club is seeking a Performance Chef to prepare and deliver meals that support training load and match performance. You will work in the training ground kitchen, turning nutritional guidance into high-quality meals and playing an active role in day-to-day service.

You will supervise junior staff, uphold food safety and presentation standards, and assist with stock control and budgeting while maintaining sustainability practices.

Qualifications

• Strong craft skills in food preparation and presentation.
• Experience in quality-focused kitchens, preferably in sport or high-pressure catering.
• Knowledge of performance nutrition, hydration, fuelling and recovery is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver performance and recovery-focused meals aligned to training and match schedules.
• Contribute to menu planning and vary offering across the season.
• Create tailored meals for individual dietary requirements and preferences.
• Maintain hygiene, allergen control, temperature and cleaning records.

Skills

Strong cooking skills

Communication skills

Work under pressure

Team supervision

Education

Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering

Professional catering qualifications

Job description

As Performance Chef, you will prepare and deliver food for the Club that directly supports training load, match performance and recovery, working to the standards and menu framework set by the Head Performance Chef.

Working within the training ground kitchen and restaurant, you will turn nutritional guidance into high-quality, purposeful meals for the squad, and take a hands‑on role in the day‑to‑day running of service.

This role requires strong craft skills, genuine interest in performance nutrition, and the reliability to deliver consistent standards every day. You will be visible and engaged with players and staff throughout service and will contribute to the culture and standards of the training centre.

KEY AREAS

• Prepare and deliver performance and recovery‑focused meals aligned to the training cycle, match schedule and individual player demands.
• Contribute ideas and feedback to menu planning, supporting the Head Performance Chef in keeping the offer varied and appealing across the season.
• Prepare tailored individual meals for player dietary requirements, allergies, cultural preferences and performance or recovery goals.
• Deliver consistent quality, portioning and presentation across every service in the training ground restaurant.
• Support performance through the wider dining experience — a welcoming environment, considered food displays and buffet layouts, and a consistent willingness to go above and beyond for players and staff.
• Maintain kitchen operations day to day, including hygiene, food safety, allergen control, temperature and cleaning records, and compliance with all statutory standards.
• Supervise and support junior kitchen and restaurant staff, sharing knowledge and helping to uphold standards.
• Deputise for the Head Performance Chef during periods of absence, taking responsibility for service in their place.
• Support stock control, ordering, goods‑in checks and rotation, working within agreed budgets and minimising waste.
• Work with sustainability in mind, reducing waste and supporting environmentally conscious sourcing decisions.
• Support education sessions and cooking demonstrations for players and staff on fuelling, cooking skills and food hygiene.

About The Candidate

• Relevant professional catering qualifications, including a minimum of Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering (Level 3 desirable).
• Experience as a chef in a quality‑focused kitchen; experience within professional sport, elite performance or another high‑pressure catering environment is desirable.
• Working knowledge of performance nutrition, hydration, fuelling and recovery, or a clear willingness to develop it through the role.
• Experience of preparing tailored meals for individual dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances.
• Strong scratch‐cooking and fresh preparation skills across a range of cuisines and cooking methods.
• Experience of working to food standards, allergen compliance and hygiene systems, including accurate record keeping.
• Ability to supervise and support junior team members, and to run a service section independently.
• Good communication skills, with the confidence to engage directly with players, coaches and staff during service.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to a changing fixture schedule, including matchdays and weekends.
• Reliable, organised and able to maintain consistent standards without close supervision.

About The Club

Code of Conduct

Oxford United Football Club expects the highest standards of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning the Club and its employees. The Code of Conduct makes clear the standards of conduct expected from its employees and explains the responsibilities of the Club, as the employer. All employees are expected to always act wholeheartedly in the interests of the Club. Any conduct detrimental to its interests or its relations with its customers, suppliers, the public or damaging to its public image shall be a breach of Club rules and policies. Discriminatory, offensive, and violent behaviour are unacceptable, and any complaints or concerns will be dealt with and acted upon.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Oxford United Football Club are committed to ensuring that equality, inclusion, and diversity of opportunity is at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non‑prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone’s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee, volunteer, or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following ‘protected characteristics’: Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal.

The Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and as we are underrepresented in these areas; we particularly welcome ‘entry level’ applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community and anyone with a disability.

Oxford United Football Club are committed to and has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst engaged in services organised and provided by the Club and believes that the general wellbeing, welfare and safety of all children and vulnerable adults engaged in Club activities is of the upmost importance. The Club will fulfil its responsibilities by ensuring it displays best practice in safeguarding matters – including Safer Recruitment - carried out in a spirit of partnership and openness with the child or vulnerable adult, families, and the relevant local authority.