Head Chef - Concessions

Up to £50,000 per annum
New Opening - Largest indoor arena in the UK
Support of one of the best culinary teams
Multi-outlet experience
Oak View Group (OVG) is the world’s leading arena development, management, and hospitality company founded in 2015 by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff to positively disrupt business as usual. As the largest developer of sports and entertainment facilities in the world, OVG prioritises the way we do business focusing on making long-term investments in our people and our planet.
OVG have completed seven arenas, with many more in development, including Co-op Live, with more to be announced in the future.
Co-op Live is in a joint venture partnership with City Football Group and we are proud to work with Co-op as our Naming Rights Partner.
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Co-op Live will offer a food and beverage hospitality service that will put us head and shoulders above the crowd, as we welcome over 23,500 fans and amazing artists to taste the delicious food and drinks unique to the space in Manchester.
With 32 amazing bars and restaurants and 12 premium lounges and clubs – we’re going to be delivering an exceptional hospitality service for the people of Manchester and beyond. On the menu will be great food, seasoned with world class service and all with a planet friendly vibe in the heart of our vibrant community.
This role encompasses motivating and inspiring the team, staying updated on food trends, forecasting trends, attending food-related events, adapting and developing products, driving creative development, collaborating on innovative solutions, supporting the concept team, and ensuring operational and safety compliance. It also involves participating in brainstorming, tastings, and recipe management, understanding customer needs, building relationships with key contacts and suppliers, coaching and developing chefs, and providing imaginative ideas for food presentation and fan experience. The role is crucial for pre-opening development and maintaining high food standards across Coop Live, fostering strong relationships with various departments.
This is a Permanent role requiring flexibility on evenings and weekends.
Knowledge, skills & experience:
Experience in managing multiple fast casual concessions
Prior working experience in Stadiums and/or Arenas
Passionate and knowledgeable about a wide range of cuisines
Personable with good presentation skills.
Proficient in computer applications, including Microsoft Office, procurement systems, and kitchen software.
Effective in both team-oriented, fast-paced environments and independent work.
Creative and innovative thinker with commercial acumen.
Knowledgeable in event venue catering, food innovations, ingredients, nutrition, and preservation.
Capable of recipe development and staying updated on consumer trends.
Maintains high food presentation standards.
Organized with project management skills.
Adheres to environmental health, sanitation, and safety standards.
Holds essential Food Hygiene qualification, with advanced certification preferred.
Knowledgeable in COSHH and HACCP principles.
Food product management or food technology qualification is desirable.
Upholds the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.
Our Inclusion Commitments
Our venue is for the fans, the artists, everyone! Attracting a diverse workforce which reflects our local community is what will make our venue the best music venue in the UK!
We understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our?people, improves our?service, and raises our?excellence. We are committed to creating a great place to work amplifying voices from all different backgrounds. There is something for everyone at Co-op Live, come and get involved.
If you do require any additional support or reasonable adjustments to support your application, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure you have everything you need. We will consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the required skills necessary to fulfil the role.
We recognise the importance of safeguarding, dependent on role you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS), details of which will be shared with you at interview.
If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.?