Head Chef - RDS Dublin - Up to €60000 For nearly 200 years, the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) has stood as a cornerstone of Irish cultural, agricultural, and social life. Founded in 1731 to promote agriculture, arts, industry, and science, the RDS has grown from a learned society into one of Ireland’s most iconic live-events destinations — hosting everything from major exhibitions and concerts to sporting moments and international conventions. As the hospitality partner at this storied venue, Levy brings world-class food, service, and event experiences to every occasion. Working with us at the RDS means being part of a passionate, dynamic team that thrives in a live environment and helps shape unforgettable moments for tens of thousands of visitors each year. The Role As Head Chef at the RDS, you will lead the culinary vision and day-to-day food operations across one of Ireland’s most prestigious event venues. Working with Levy’s market-leading food philosophy, you’ll be responsible for delivering exceptional, scalable food experiences across conferences, exhibitions, banquets, VIP hospitality and bespoke events. This is a high-profile leadership role requiring strategic thinking, strong commercial awareness and the ability to inspire large, diverse kitchen teams in a fast-paced, event-led environment. Key Responsibilities Culinary Leadership & Strategy Lead the overall culinary direction for RDS in line with Levy standards and brand values. Develop menus that are innovative, commercially sound and operationally scalable for large-volume events. Drive continuous improvement, creativity and food innovation across all offers. Operational Excellence Oversee all kitchen operations across conferences, banquets, exhibitions, retail and premium hospitality. Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality food, presentation and service at scale. Plan and resource kitchens effectively to meet fluctuating event demands. People Leadership & Development Lead, motivate and develop a large culinary team, including Sous Chefs, Chef de Parties and kitchen support teams. Build a strong talent pipeline through training, mentoring and succession planning. Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performance kitchen culture. Financial & Commercial Control Full accountability for food costs, gross profit, labour and stock management. Lead purchasing, supplier relationships and cost control in line with Levy and Compass Group standards. Drive waste reduction and sustainable practices across the operation. Food Safety, Compliance & Standards Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, health & safety and HACCP requirements. Maintain audit readiness and uphold Levy’s quality and safety standards at all times. Ensure all equipment, kitchens and storage areas are maintained to the highest standards. Stakeholder Collaboration Work closely with the General Manager, Events, Sales and Operations teams to deliver seamless event experiences. Support client tastings, menu presentations and bespoke event proposals. Represent Levy and RDS with professionalism at all times. About You Essential Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Executive Chef within a large-scale, high-volume environment. Strong background in banqueting, conferences or complex event catering. Exceptional leadership and people-management skills. Strong commercial acumen with proven cost and margin control. In-depth knowledge of food safety, HACCP and compliance. Desirable Experience working within a premium venue or global hospitality brand. Track record of menu innovation and culinary development. Experience managing multi-outlet or multi-kitchen operations. What We’re Looking For Full culinary ownership of the operation quality, consistency, safety, GP, labour, and people and of course sustainability Accountability for delivering menus to my standards and reports into the executive chef Leads menu execution in line with Levy Culinary Signatures plant-forward thinking, reduced waste, provenance, and simplicity done well Sets the culture in the kitchen calm leadership, respect, structure, and standard. Manage allergen compliance, HACCP, audits, EHO readiness, and traceability Develops Sous Chefs and senior team succession planning is mandatory Works collaboratively with logistics, stores, and FOH to ensure seamless service deliver Why Join Levy at RDS? Work at one of Ireland’s leading conference and events venue. Be part of Levy, a global and award-winning hospitality brand. Exposure to a diverse and high-profile events calendar. Clear opportunities for development and progression within Compass Group. Competitive salary and benefits package. Here's an idea of what your shift patterns will be: 5 out of 7 days As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses. Job Reference: com/1302/41901001/52790588/SU Levy UK Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!