Senior Culinary Opportunities, Stadium of Light

Delaware North; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive weekly pay

Flexible shifts

Free meal on event days

Dynamic event venues experience

Job summary

Delaware North UK is hiring casual Senior Culinary opportunities for Chefs to join our team at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Lead kitchen operations for events from planning through delivery, managing food production, menus, staffing and logistics.

You'll work with an enthusiastic kitchen team to deliver high standards of quality, allergen awareness and guest experience on busy match days and concerts.

Qualifications

• Lead chef experience in high-volume, fast-paced catering.
• No degree required.
• Certifications in safety and allergen awareness preferred.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations for events from planning through delivery.
• Deliver team briefings and manage food production, menus, staffing and logistics.
• Ensure food meets standards of quality, presentation and allergen compliance.
• Maintain health and safety, hygiene, and licensing compliance.
• Develop culinary teams and maintain clear communication.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Reliability

Punctuality

Detail-oriented

Under pressure

Education

Level 3 Food Safety

Allergen Expert Level 2

Level 2 Safety Awareness

COSHH Training

Guest and Staff Experience Training

Job description

The opportunity

Delaware North UK is hiring casual Senior Culinary opportunities for Chefs to join our team at the Stadium of Light, in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. As a Chef, you will be working with an enthusiastic kitchen team to create memorable and first-class dining experiences for guests. If you are looking for Senior Culinary opportunities and ready to join our collaborative team,

Pay

The expected pay for this role is £17.09 / hour

What we offer

At Delaware North U.K., you’ll work at some of the coolest venues with the best team members. Here, you'll find a welcoming team in an exciting, fast-paced environment, so although this might not be your only job, it may be your best.Team member perks include:

• Competitive weekly pay
• Casual 6+ hour shifts, including evenings and weekends flexibly working part-time for the biggest events and match days, with opportunities to pick up extra shifts that suit your lifestyle
• Free meal on event days
• Experience in a dynamic workplace hosting major national and international sporting events and concerts, including The Lads at Sunderland A.F.C. in Premier League football, and musical icons taking the stage, as well as a range of exciting meetings and events and plenty more still to come in 2026 and 2027

What will you do?

• Lead kitchen operations for events from planning through delivery, deliver team briefings, and manage food production, menus, staffing, and logistics
• Ensure food consistently meets Delaware North’s standards and specifications, maintaining high quality, presentation, and consistency
• Lead, support, and develop culinary teams, allocating tasks, monitoring performance, and maintaining clear communication
• Drive high standards of food presentation and allergen compliance, ensuring quality guest experience, leading teams to deliver seamless event service
• Ensure the operation complies with current health and safety, food hygiene, fire regulations, licensing laws, and trading standards, maintaining Delaware North’s policies and standards of excellence

More about you

• No degree required
• Certification in Level 3 Food Safety, Allergen Expert Level 2, Level 2 Safety Awareness, COSHH Training, and Guest and Staff Experience Training
• Experience as Lead Chef or Senior Chef in high-volume, fast-paced catering
• Skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, reliability, punctuality, detail-orientation, and performing under pressure

Physical requirements

• Ability to stand for duration of shift
• Comfortable handling various meat products
• Availability to attend shifts for prep days, as well as matchdays and event days, due to events-based nature of roles

Who we are

Delaware NorthhasprovidedhospitalityservicesattheStadium of Light since 2025.Home to Sunderland Association Football Club,this 49,000 red and white seaterstadiumhostsPremier League football, international sports, concerts, meetings, and events.AttheStadium of Light, we provide premium dining experiences at Banks on the Wear and 76 Yards alongside Michelin star Chef, and Sunderland fan,Tommy Banks.There’salways something exciting to be part offrommatchdaystoconcerts like Take That,P!nk, Spice Girls,and Beyoncé.

Our business is all about people, and that includes you. At Delaware North, you’re not just part of a team — you’re part of a global legacy: a family-owned company with 100+ years of history behind it. Our operations span the world, offering you unique paths to growth and success.

Who says you can’t love where you work? With jobs in iconic sports arenas, stunning national parks, exciting casinos, and more, we pride ourselves on giving the world great times in great places. And whether you’re interested in restaurants, hotels, sports, gaming, operations, or retail, part-time or full-time, we’re invested in helping you achieve your career goals.

Together, we’re shaping the future of hospitality — come grow with us!