First Team Performance Chef

Organisation: Stadium MK
Salary: DOE
Location: Milton Keynes
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 22 November 2026
Job Description: About Us
Milton Keynes Dons Football Club, newly promoted to EFL League One, play at Stadium MK, a 30,500-capacity venue that sits at the heart of the wider Stadium MK Group. The Group's assets also include Arena MK, the Double Tree by Hilton Milton Keynes, a 304-bedroom hotel, and a 65,000-capacity music venue the National Bowl, making it one of the most diverse sport, leisure, and hospitality operations in the UK.

About the role
If you are a chef with experience cooking in a performance environment, this is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of a professional football club, directly supporting First team player preparation, performance and recovery through food.

As Performance Chef, you will lead the First team food provision for MK Dons FC, designing and cooking performance and recovery-focused meals alongside the club's Performance Nutritionist and sports science staff. Your food will support training loads, match performance and recovery, translating nutritional strategy into meals that are purposeful, performance-led and appealing to a diverse squad.

The role is based in the on-site hotel kitchen, where you will work with support from the hotel kitchen team to deliver the first-team food offering. You will also lead the front of house team, making sure service, presentation and the overall dining experience are of a consistently high standard.

You will engage with players and staff during meal service to make sure their needs are met, and you will help build a strong food culture around the First team.

Working hours are dictated by the football schedule, so the role will involve working weekends, evenings and bank holidays when required, including over the Christmas and New Year fixture period.

We're looking for someone credible, creative and passionate about performance nutrition – not just great food, but the right food.

Key Responsibilities

Design and deliver performance and recovery-focused menus aligned to training cycles, the fixture schedule and match demands
Plan and produce training ground, pre-match, match day and travel food provision, including snacks and recovery options
Cook from raw ingredients for First team breakfast, lunch and recovery meals in the on-site hotel kitchen
Work closely with the Performance Nutritionist to communicate the nutritional breakdown and purpose behind dishes
Tailor individual meals to player dietary needs, allergies and performance or recovery goals, in agreement with the Performance Nutritionist
Make day-to-day decisions on menus, service and staffing for the First team food provision
Lead First team food provision from the on-site hotel kitchen, working alongside and with support from the hotel kitchen staff
Lead and manage the front of house team, setting standards for service, food displays and buffet layouts
Create a welcoming dining environment and build a strong food culture around the first team
Collaborate with the performance, medical and coaching staff to connect nutrition strategy with the kitchen
Comply with allergen policy and make sure all food is prepared, stored and cooked in line with HACCP regulations, including daily HACCP checks
Make sure all health and safety, food safety and company policies are met, and keep compliance training up to date
Control stock, ordering and budgets for the First team food provision, including waste management, portion control and stock rotation
Use seasonal produce where possible and minimise waste
Support the training and development of kitchen and front-of-house staff, delegating tasks where appropriate
Deliver occasional education sessions on cooking and nutrition to players
Travel with the First team for away fixtures when required

Experience and qualifications
Essential
Relevant experience as a chef in a performance environment
Minimum of 2 years' experience
Working knowledge of performance nutrition, hydration, fuelling and recovery, with the ability to translate guidance from the nutrition team into food that supports performance and recovery
Experience delivering tailored meals for individual dietary needs and allergies
Strong scratch-cooking skills with an understanding of a range of international flavours
NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery or equivalent
Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene
Good understanding of COSHH
Experience leading a team, ideally including front of house staff
Excellent communication skills with the confidence to engage players and staff
Ability to work under pressure and adapt to a changing fixture and training schedule
Flexibility to work weekends, evenings and bank holidays as dictated by the football schedule, and to travel with the team
Good level of spoken English

Desirable
NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery or equivalent
Experience working in professional sport
Why Join Us?

At MK Dons, you'll be part of a passionate and ambitious football club where your expertise can make a real difference to player performance, preparation and recovery.

This is a unique opportunity to combine your culinary skills with your passion for sport, working closely with professional footballers and a dedicated multidisciplinary performance team.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding
We are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for all. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and all employees are expected to uphold and promote our safeguarding policies and procedures.

Due to the nature if the role the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and all relevant pre-employment screening checks.
How to apply: Application Process If you're passionate about food, football and helping athletes perform at their best, this is your opportunity to be part of something exciting, we would welcome your application. To apply, please submit: If you're passionate about food, football and helping athletes perform at their best, this is your opportunity to be part of something exciting, we would welcome your application. To apply, please submit: A completed application form, available on the careers page of the Club website. Your current CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. Applications should be sent to careers@stadiummk.com.

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First Team Performance Chef