Trainee Performance Chef
Department: Executive Kitchen
Location: Across all Club sites
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (flexible around training and matchday schedules)
Reports to: Head Chef
Birmingham City Football Club is on the rise.
With an incredible history dating back to 1875, Birmingham City Football Club is part of an exciting period of accelerated growth and modernisation, and is playing it’s part in once-in-a-generation opportunity to support the transformation of England’s second city as part of the Sports Quarter project.
With significant investment across our football, commercial, and community operations, we are rebuilding the Club for long-term success — on and off the pitch. The journey we’re on involves strengthening our structures, elevating our performance environments, growing our teams, and investing heavily in the people, processes and culture that will define the next chapter of Birmingham City FC.
We are looking for a passionate and motivated Trainee Performance Chef to support the preparation and delivery of high-quality, nutritionally balanced meals for our players and staff across the Senior Training Centre, Senior Women’s Programme, U21s and Academy.
This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring chef to develop their culinary skills within an elite football performance environment, working closely with experienced Performance Chefs and multidisciplinary teams to support player health, recovery and performance.
About the Role
You will play an important role in the day-to-day operation of our training ground kitchens, contributing to menu delivery, food safety standards and the evolving demands of high-performance sport.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the preparation, cooking and presentation of performance-focused meals for players and staff.
- Work alongside Performance Chefs on menu planning, recipe development and execution aligned to nutrition strategies.
- Assist with preparation of meat, fish and vegetables to the required elite standards.
- Maintain excellent kitchen organisation, cleanliness and hygiene at all times.
- Support allergen management, portion control, stock rotation and food waste reduction.
- Assist with food ordering, deliveries and safe storage procedures.
- Provide catering support for matchdays, travel days, residential camps and tournaments (including off-site preparation).
- Work flexibly in line with training schedules and competition demands, including travel with teams when required.
- Ensure full compliance with Club policies, including Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding, Health & Safety and EFL regulations.
About You
We are looking for someone with energy, enthusiasm and a strong desire to learn in an elite sporting environment.
Essential:
- NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation & Cookery (or equivalent).
- Level 2 Food Hygiene (or willingness to obtain).
- Level 2 Allergen Awareness (or willingness to obtain).
- Basic food preparation and knife-handling skills.
- Strong attention to detail, professionalism and high standards of cleanliness.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Flexible and reliable, with strong timekeeping and organisation.
Desirable:
- Experience working in a professional kitchen.
- Interest or knowledge in sports nutrition and performance catering.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Interest in football or high-performance sport environments
The Benefits of Being Blues
At Birmingham City Football Club, we put people at the heart of everything we do. When you join the Club, you become part of the Blues family — and that comes with a range of benefits designed to support you both inside and outside of work.
- Matchday Tickets
- Blues Store Discount
- Life Assurance
- Volunteering Day
- Pension Scheme
- Eye Care Voucher
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Help@Hand - 24/7 access to GP appointments, wellbeing services and mental health support.
Safeguarding
Birmingham City Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The safety and wellbeing of all individuals within our care is paramount, and all staff are expected to share and uphold this commitment.
All successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, and will be required to complete safeguarding training as part of the recruitment and induction process.
Birmingham City FC is proud to be an Equal Opportunities and Disability Confident employer.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process. Candidates are assessed solely on merit, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or caring responsibilities.
We value diversity and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. If you require any adjustments to support you during the recruitment or interview process, please let us know when applying.
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