Head Chef - The Excel

Head Chef - ExCel London

ExCeL London, the home of world leading events is enjoying a period of significant growth and is set to become Europe’s largest connected convention centre with the opening of a new extension in Spring 2025, increasing capacity by 25%.  To support this exciting expansion, we’re growing our world class hospitality team that will help to deliver over 400 leading industry events every year. ExCeL London Hospitality caters for the biggest, most influential events in the UK, from executive meetings to large scale conferences and exhibitions. We boast a highly trained team of managers, chefs and waiting staff, who ensure our customers receive the best possible service. 

Overall Purpose of the Role:

• Develop and lead your team and inspire them to deliver exceptional service to our clients and guests.
• To manage and administer all Kitchen Operations and procedures, complying with company standards and policies.
• To review business performance and ensure delivery of key financial targets and customer feedback targets of 90%.

ExCel London is a unique venue located in the centre of the docklands by City Airport. It can hold up to 5000 covers in its 3 main event spaces, and can produce all aspects of food styles from simple buffets up to integral 5 course gala dinners. It also delivers a bespoke ODC catering style off which is built to the specific event requirements on the show floor, and can cater for up to an additional 10,000 covers on top of the main event areas.

We ensure that you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to: 

Medicash – Healthcare benefits, including dental, optical and therapy treatments (includes up to 4 dependent children)

Aviva Digicare – Free annual healthcare check 

Exclusive Benefits + Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)

Entertainment discounts – up to 55% off cinema tickets

Health and Wellbeing discounts – Discounts for Nuffield Health (20%) and Pure Gym (10%) 

Travel discounts – Discounts with holiday companies such as TUI and Expedia

Shopping discounts – Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards

Meals on duty

Vodafhone discounts

Pension scheme and Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

23 days + BH’s and an additional day off for your birthday

2 days additional leave, following return from Maternity leave during the first year back

Competitive and supportive family benefits

Day off for baby's 1st birthday

Holiday purchase scheme

On-going training, development and career pathways

Professional subscriptions paid

Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products

Who you are:

• Previous experience in a similar role within a demanding food environment (essential)
• Experience of working with a client group
• Previous P+L accountability
• Ability to lead others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to influence and operate at all stakeholder levels
• Ability to drive change with effective project and stakeholder management skills

Who we are:

Levy UK + Ireland is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality. 

In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long-standing partnerships with venues across sports, entertainment, and events. Our partnerships include venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Principality Stadium, Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and ExCel London.  

We are culinary champions – it’s what we do and it’s what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service is key to creating legendary experiences.  

Focussed on ‘doing the right thing’ for our people and the planet, sustainability, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.  

We have a commitment to being Net Zero by 2027, are official partners of the British Paralympic Association, and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

At Levy UK + Ireland, we take pride in fostering a workplace culture that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion. We believe that our differences are our greatest strengths, and we are committed to creating an environment where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered.

Join us in our journey towards a more diverse and inclusive world, where every person has the chance to thrive and contribute their unique talents. Together, we can achieve greatness.