Head Chef
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Are you a passionate, driven Head Chef looking for your next big challenge? This is an exciting opportunity to take the lead across two iconic racecourses Chepstow and Ffos Las delivering outstanding food experiences across both racedays and a diverse range of non-raceday events.
This senior culinary role offers real scope to shape menus, influence commercial performance and lead large, dynamic kitchen teams in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
About the role:
Reporting to the Catering Operations Manager, you will take full ownership of all kitchen operations across both sites. Youll lead from the front, ensuring exceptional food quality, strong cost control and full compliance with food safety, hygiene and health & safety standards.
From premium racedays to conferences, events and hospitality, youll oversee all food preparation and production, playing a key role in enhancing the guest, owner and trainer experience.
This role is ideal for a Head Chef who thrives on variety, enjoys responsibility and wants to be part of a business where no two days are the same. This is a senior, high-impact role across two unique and varied venues, offering the chance to shape culinary standards and influence the future of the business.
Key responsibilities for the role will include:
Leading, motivating and developing chefs, trainees and kitchen porters across both racecourses
Creating innovative, commercially focused menus aligned to customer expectations and market trends
Managing food GP, menu costing, stock control and wastage to deliver strong financial performance
Working closely with senior catering and commercial teams to meet revenue budgets and cost targets
Ensuring full compliance with Food Safety Management Systems, EHO requirements and COSHH
Driving quality and consistency from raw ingredient through to plated presentation
Managing rotas, labour costs, absence and performance reviews in line with company guidelines
Supporting future kitchen developments, refurbishments and new investment projects
Building strong relationships with sales, marketing and on-site teams to support event delivery
The person we are looking for as a Head Chef has:
A confident, experienced Head Chef ready to take on a multi-site leadership role
Strong commercial awareness with proven experience managing GP, labour and food costs
A natural leader who can motivate teams in a high-pressure, high-volume environment
A creative thinker who enjoys menu development and continuous improvement
Highly organised, with a hands-on, problem-solving approach
Passionate about food quality, safety, team engagement and guest satisfaction
Full & clean UK driving licence
About us:
Arena Racing Company does so much more than lead the UKs largest horse racing group. We have 21 racing venues showcasing horse racing, greyhound racing, golf courses, hotels and events. In short, leisure, entertainment, media production and global distribution are at the heart of what we do, making it an exciting and diverse place to work!
Our success is a team effort which is why we offer great opportunities for growth, development and career progression. After all, its our employees that enable us to offer first class service and create an electric atmosphere, all within an industry we love.
What is ARC?
We embrace diversity
We develop our people
We care for our visitors
We think about our impact
We are proud of our sport
Work Perks of being a Head Chef...
Annual passes to attend any of our 21 venues
Discounted food & ARC days out
Cycle to work scheme
Holiday allowance increasing with length of service up to 28 days
Company life assurance scheme
Discretionary group annual bonus schemes to reward your hard work
Support with study through our study assistance schemes
And so much more
We are on a thrilling journey. So, to join us at our next destination, be part of a winning team and to learn more about our company and this exciting opportunity apply today.
At ARC, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable adjustments, please let us know; we will ensure that individuals with additional needs are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.
We understand the value that diversity brings to our business and we are striving to create a working environment that is inclusive, psychologically and physically safe and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions. We are committed to making a consistent, top-down effort to be role models on what diversity, inclusion and belonging means in society.
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