Introducing: Robert Charles – Ex-Formula 1 Chef & Artisan Chocolatier – joining as Sutton United’s food supplier for hospitality and outside catering.
With a high-speed career that spans the world of elite motorsport and artisanal chocolate, Robert has now entered the world of professional football, and as an avid Sutton United fan, he has made a new base at Gander Green Lane. As a former chef in Formula 1, Robert spent seven years circling the globe in a small team crafting high-performance meals for some of the world’s top drivers, teams, and VIPs, mastering the art of balancing nutrition, events and luxury dining experiences – all plated under the intense pressures of race weekends.
After leaving the fast-paced world of F1 kitchens, Robert turned his passion for flavour and craftsmanship toward the delicate science of chocolate making. Drawing on a deep understanding of ingredients and a flair for creativity honed in at Michelin-level environments, Robert now also specialises in handcrafted chocolates that blend traditional technique with modern artistry.
Whether creating bespoke chocolates inspired by international cuisines or reimagining classic flavours, Robert brings the same level of detail & dedication to Sutton that once fuelled the world’s fastest athletes.
Our new chef had this to say:
“This is a really exciting step for both myself and the club, and both the catering and events teams are really looking forward to getting operational and evolving the superb foundations that have been left by Wendy, whom I give a special thanks for her professionalism and warm kindness during the transition, she has been a superstar and I wish her well on her next challenge.
Celebrating three years of trusted service supporting the first team on a part time basis, we are proud of the strong relationships we’ve built at the club and are now able to further enhance the food experience at Sutton for new fans and legacy fans. There will be some notable differences, and we have listened to calls for keeping much of what we deliver, approachable & elevated.
With the change, and new style of match day food and hospitality, comes additional preparation time and ingredient costs, as an example, we’re switching to freshly made Rib Cap beef burgers that are made weekly and delivered into us just before each game, and the components for some dishes in the corporate hospitality take multiple days to prepare. As a result of this, there will be a small uplift in the existing pricing structure to better enhance the matchday experience – upgrading our approach is essential, not only to enhance the dining experience but also to ensure we remain relevant and continue delivering the quality the fans deserve – we’re confident we have something for everyone.
The team and I look forward to welcoming you as the season progresses.”
– Robert Charles
