Kitchen Operations Chef

Join the Legacy and Future of West Ham United

Founded in 1895, West Ham United is a club that blends rich tradition with a forward-thinking approach, creating an exciting, ever-evolving football culture. Based in the heart of London, we proudly call the London Stadium home — a state-of-the-art venue with a capacity of 62,500, making it one of the largest in the country. We are also dedicated to providing the most affordable Premier League tickets in London, championing Accessible Family Football for all.

Our women's team, achieving professional status in 2018, has soared to new heights in the Women’s Super League and reached the prestigious FA Cup final. Meanwhile, our cutting-edge Academy, which opened in 2019, is nurturing future stars, producing first-team players like Declan Rice and Ben Johnson.

With ongoing improvements to the stadium, including the iconic Billy Bonds Stand, West Ham is constantly evolving, making sure our fans experience the best in matchday atmosphere and comfort. We are also incredibly proud to hold the Disability Confident Leader status, reflecting our dedication to inclusivity and accessibility.

As we continue to grow, so does our workforce. With a dedicated team of 300 core staff and 500 event and Foundation employees, West Ham United offers a truly unique working environment. We’re especially proud to have been awarded the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Standard in 2023 — our second consecutive recognition — underlining our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and dynamic workplace.

Join us and become part of a club that stands at the crossroads of history, ambition, and innovation. West Ham United is where passion, progress, and inclusivity come together to create something special.

Why Join Us?

Diversity & Inclusion: We believe a diverse team drives creativity and strengthens performance. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and identities to apply.

Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to protecting the physical and mental health of our staff, ensuring a balanced and supportive work environment.

Career Growth: As part of a premier football club, you will have opportunities to grow and innovate in an exciting and fast-paced environment.

If you’re ready to bring your passion for Hospitality and football to one of the world’s most iconic clubs, apply now!

Job Title: Kitchen Operations Chef

Location: West Ham United FC – Training Grounds (First Team and Academy Sites)

Department: Operations

Hours: Full Time

Salary: Competitive

Position Overview:

We have an exciting opportunity that has arisen in the West Ham United Operations Department, we are looking for 3 skilled, enthusiastic Chefs to support the day-to-day preparation and delivery of meals at both the Academy training sites and the Rush Green First Team. This role is ideal for a chef who takes pride in producing high-quality, nutritious food and enjoys working in a fast-paced, team-focused environment.

You will play a key role in preparing and cooking meals for players, coaches, and staff—helping to fuel performance, recovery, and general wellbeing. Working closely with the kitchen team, you’ll ensure food is consistently delivered to a high standard while adhering to all relevant health and safety procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

•Prepare and cook a variety of meals that are both healthy and flavorful, supporting athlete performance and wellbeing.

•Follow daily menus and food preparation plans in line with guidance from the Head Chef and Nutrition Team.

•Maintain strict hygiene, food safety, and cleanliness standards throughout food handling, preparation, and storage.

•Support meal service for up to 130 people at the First Team site and 200 at the Academy.

•Collaborate with chefs, catering assistants, and performance staff to meet scheduled meal times around training and matches.

•Assist with stock rotation, food storage, and minimising kitchen waste.

•Adhere to COSHH and HACCP regulations and assist in maintaining kitchen compliance documentation.

•Take part in staff meetings and training to continuously improve food quality and kitchen processes.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualities:

Education/Qualifications/Experience:

•Experience working in a professional kitchen (E)

•Experience catering for large groups (E)

•City & Guilds Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery, or NVQ/SVQ equivalent (E)

•Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (E)

•Knowledge of COSHH and basic HACCP procedures (E)

•IOSHH training or similar food safety qualification (D)

•Full UK driving licence (D)

Skills and Attributes:

•Excellent knowledge of food preparation, produce, and ingredients

•Strong time management and the ability to work efficiently under pressure

•Ability to work as part of a team and independently

•Strong work ethic and reliability

•Good communication and interpersonal skills

•Attention to detail and a passion for delivering high-quality food

•Willingness to learn and develop within the role

Benefits on offer (may vary based on contract type and location)

• 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off
• Pension and life insurance
• Healthcare cash scheme
• Travel season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Priority access to apply for match tickets
• Discounted season tickets
• Staff discounts in the club store, café and our official partners products and services
• Discounted gym membership and onsite fitness room facilities
• Family friendly leave policies
• Company Social events

EDI Statement

Our club's history is rooted in a solid commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we openly strive to be leaders in promoting EDI values. West Ham United is tactical in its approach to addressing inequity and prioritising the undertaking of meaningful and lasting change for all.

We prioritise removing barriers to attracting and engaging the best talent from all communities. We are proactive in creating equal access to opportunities and benefits for everyone and a discrimination-free environment where everyone experiences being treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, circumstances, or protected characteristics.

Safeguarding

At our Club and Foundation, we advocate a proactive approach to ensure every child and adult has the right to experience safety and be treated with care, respect, and dignity. Therefore, we prioritise protection from harm and promote safeguarding good practice and compliance as an integral part of all our operations and engagement. This includes conducting robust, safer recruitment checks to identify any potential risks associated with individuals who may pose a threat to children or adults who are at risk of harm.

Everyone, including third parties who work with the Club or the West Ham Foundation, is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. It is non-negotiable to remain vigilant, promptly report any concerns as outlined in our safeguarding policies and guidelines, and take decisive action to prevent harm, abuse, and neglect. Each person must actively contribute to creating a safe environment for everyone.