Location
Royal Academy of Arts Piccadilly, London

Hours
40 hours per week, 5 days over, typically 8am to 4pm with flexibility to meet business needs on event days

Salary
Up to £38,000 per annum

About the Role
Sodexo Live! is offering an exciting opportunity for a passionate, creative, and highly organised culinary professional to join us as Retail Chef Manager. Based in one of London’s most stunning heritage listed venues, you will lead the culinary operation across our vibrant daytime café spaces; championing quality, driving innovation, and shaping an exceptional guest experience. Reporting to the General Manager, you’ll take full ownership of the kitchen: guiding a skilled team, crafting fresh and modern menus, upholding the highest food safety standards, and delivering outstanding dishes every day.

This role is perfect for a hands-on leader with a flair for contemporary café dining and the operational discipline to run a fast-paced, premium retail environment. With sociable hours and opportunities to support exciting event days, it offers both balance and variety. You’ll bring confidence, composure, and a genuine passion for great food and service.

Joining us means working in a central London venue where history and character meet a dynamic, modern food offer. If you have experience in high-quality cafés or hotel kitchens and are ready to elevate your career, this is your moment.

At Sodexo Live!, our people are the heart of who we are. We’re experience makers and food fanatics, our dishes are distinctive, and our teams are too. Bring your personality, your craft, and your passion for delighting guests. In return, we’ll give you everything you need to thrive.

Key Responsibilities
- Manage and execute all tasks within your section to the highest standard
- Ensure all dishes are prepared on time, accurately, and presented according to plating guides
- Supervise and support the entire back of house team
- Offer guidance and mentoring to junior staff, encouraging skills development
- Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, allergen, and safety standards
- Monitor and manage section stock levels, minimising waste and supporting stock rotation
- Provide feedback on menu development and dish refinement
- Identify inefficiencies in workflow or prep and recommend improvements

Experience
Minimum 2 years’ experience as a Senior Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef in a high-quality kitchen.

About you
Passion for food, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering top-tier dishes.
Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise tasks under pressure.
Excellent knowledge of kitchen hygiene, allergen control, and food safety standards (HACCP).
Experience in mentoring junior staff and working within a structured brigade.
Positive, team-focused attitude with good communication skills.
Professional presentation and commitment to continuous improvement.
Flexible and adaptable to changing service styles including banqueting, à la carte, and tasting menus.

Qualifications
Relevant culinary qualifications are desirable but not explicitly stated; commitment to continuous improvement is essential.

Benefits
- Unlimited access to mental health and wellbeing support platform
- Employee Assistance Programme including legal, financial, and personal support
- Free health and wellbeing app with rewards and 24hr virtual GP access
- Sodexo Discounts Scheme available to colleagues and their families
- Financial benefits via Salary Finance Platform
- Membership of Sodexo Retirement Plan
- Death-in-Service benefit
- Career growth opportunities with learning and development tools
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Volunteering opportunities
- Flexible and dynamic work environment
- Competitive compensation
- Full training and protective uniform supplied