Sous Chef – Premium Stadium Dining & Events

Sodexo Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health support online platform

Employee Assistance Programme

Free health and wellbeing app

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Salary Finance Platform

Retirement Plan

Death-in-Service

Learning and development tools

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering Opportunities

Flexible and dynamic work environment

Job summary

Sodexo Live! at Headingley Stadium is seeking a talented Sous Chef to lead kitchen operations on matchdays and major events, supporting the Executive Head Chef and Head Chef.

You will manage a high-volume service, drive culinary creativity, and ensure top-tier guest experiences across premium hospitality and VIP dining. You will develop menus, coach chefs, enforce HACCP and food safety, control costs, and plan labor for varying event demand.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-volume hospitality, events, stadium, hotel or banqueting environments.
• Background in premium hospitality or quality-led catering.
• Proven leadership and development of kitchen teams.
• Passion for food trends, innovation, and menu development.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Strong financial understanding including food cost control and margins.
• Senior Sous Chef or Head Chef experience.
• Experience in stadiums or large-scale hospitality operations.
• Food Safety Level 3.
• IOSH Managing Safely.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations across matchdays, events and hospitality functions.
• Support menu development and culinary innovation.
• Deliver exceptional food quality and presentation standards.
• Inspire, coach and develop chefs at all levels.
• Manage food safety, HACCP and compliance standards.
• Support client tastings and menu presentations.
• Drive profitability through effective food cost control.
• Plan labour requirements and support kitchen resourcing.
• Ensure operational readiness for high-profile events and major fixtures.
• Deputise for the Executive Head Chef and Head Chef when required.

Skills

High-volume hospitality

Fine dining

Team leadership

Food cost control

Stakeholder management

Food safety (HACCP)

IOSH Managing Safely

Contract catering

Training and development

Job description

Sodexo Live! at Headingley Stadium is seeking a talented Sous Chef to lead kitchen operations on matchdays and major events, supporting the Executive Head Chef and Head Chef.

You will manage a high-volume service, drive culinary creativity, and ensure top-tier guest experiences across premium hospitality and VIP dining. You will develop menus, coach chefs, enforce HACCP and food safety, control costs, and plan labor for varying event demand.