At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of chefs to create innovative dishes for airline customers.
- Company: Join dnata, a global leader in air and travel services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a fast-paced, creative catering unit.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the culinary world while working with diverse cuisines.
- Qualifications: Professional culinary qualifications and experience in product development required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
dnata is one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers, offering ground handling, cargo, travel and catering & retail services at over 130 airports in more than 30 countries across six continents. dnata Catering and Retail is one of the world’s leading in-flight hospitality providers, delivering world-class culinary services and innovative products that enhance our passengers’ experience. We are currently seeking an experienced Head Chef to join our busy catering unit in Hounslow.
This role will be responsible for interfacing with Airline customers, central support functions, chefs, Culinary department and EHO & Audit and manage a team of 16 Chefs. One of the other key areas of focus is the utilisation of the people processes to ensure recruitment, training, career development, communication and performance of the team achieves the overall objectives. Part of this role is to also provide expert food preparation knowledge for the benefit of the unit and customers.
Responsibilities:
- Work with customer and sales/commercial team to fully understand your customer’s requirements.
- Develop dishes and products that match customer brief, commercial constraints and development strategy.
- Constantly look to innovate and be creative in your development ideas across a wide range of cuisines.
- Prepare and lead customer menu presentations with assistance of the development team to meet presentation deadlines.
- Explain kitchen/production concepts in ‘layman’ terms to customers and chefs.
- Lead in-house presentations to Chefs on new products and new methods of production including the development of plating guides.
- Work with commercial team on menu specifications post-presentation to ensure accuracy and consistency of data.
- Linking with the production kitchen for specialist cuisine input e.g. Japanese.
- Assist with transitioning presentation dishes into mainstream production.
- Review and constantly improve recipes and production methodology.
- Input innovative and create ideas to the development strategy.
- Support with in-house hospitality for client entertaining.
- Champion global food trends in the business.
- Work on various projects as directed e.g. new concepts.
- Ensure all costs are contained within agreed financial guidelines and maintain and monitor working practices, systems, and processes to meet schedules.
- Investigating, analysing, suggesting, and implementing corrective actions to resolve problems.
- Organising staff and equipment within specified cost targets to meet forecast.
- Preparing for and implementing changes in menus and specifications.
- Overseeing effective yield test programmes as directed by the Manager.
- Ensuring that all recipes are communicated effectively with the relevant departments.
- Ensure your team comply with all Legislation, Company Policy And Customer requirements.
- Dealing with both minor incidents and RIDDOR accidents under agreed procedures.
- Playing an Active Part of the HACCP Team for the Unit.
- Meet the service and quality expectations of your customer and maintaining customer and company standard levels.
- In liaison with the Food Supply Manager ensure the quality of the raw product is to specification and that suppliers are fully aware of requirements.
This list is not exhaustive, accountabilities may vary dependant on locality or role complexity and may include any other duties considered reasonable by the line Manager.
What do we need from you?
- Professional culinary qualifications e.g. 706/1, 706/2 & 706/3 or diploma/degree level.
- Previous product development experience in a manufacturing environment or similar is essential.
- Must have experience of working in various types of culinary outlets including fine dining and international.
- Experience with product presentation.
- Outstanding understanding of food values and food quality with an understanding of chemical/molecular balances in foods.
- This is a customer facing role, so you will need to be good at building rapport and creating long-term business relationships.
- You will need to be confident in presenting to a group and taking the lead role.
If you believe your skills and experience align with what we're looking for, we encourage you to apply — we’d love to hear from you!
Head Chef employer: dnata Catering UK
At dnata, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the food and beverage services industry, particularly within our dynamic catering unit in Hounslow. Our work culture fosters creativity and innovation, providing our Head Chef with the opportunity to lead a talented team while developing world-class culinary experiences for airline customers. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive training and career development programmes, ensuring that our staff can thrive in a supportive environment that values excellence and collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the culinary world. Attend industry events, join online forums, or even hit up local food festivals. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and innovative ideas. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whip out that portfolio and let your culinary creativity shine. It’s all about making a lasting impression!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As a Head Chef, you'll need to present menus and concepts to clients. Grab a friend or family member and practice explaining your dishes in simple terms. The clearer you are, the more confident you’ll feel when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're serious about joining dnata and gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm right from the start. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your professional culinary qualifications and any relevant experience. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head Chef, so don’t hold back on showcasing your creativity and expertise in food preparation!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to read through the job description and tailor your application accordingly. Mention specific experiences that relate to the responsibilities listed, like product development or leading a team. This shows us you’re genuinely interested and understand what we’re looking for.
Be Personable:Since this is a customer-facing role, it’s important to convey your ability to build rapport and create long-term relationships. Use your application to demonstrate your communication skills and how you’ve successfully interacted with clients or teams in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about dnata and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at dnata Catering UK
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary qualifications and experiences. Be ready to discuss specific dishes you've developed, the techniques you've mastered, and how you've innovated in previous roles. This will show that you're not just a chef, but a creative force in the kitchen.
✨Understand the Customer's Needs
Since this role involves interfacing with airline customers, do your homework on dnata and their catering services. Think about how you can tailor your culinary creations to meet their specific requirements and enhance passenger experiences. Being customer-focused will set you apart.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be managing a team of 16 chefs. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, handled conflicts, and fostered a positive kitchen environment. Highlight your experience in training and developing others, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready to Present
You'll need to present menu ideas and concepts, so practice your presentation skills. Think about how you can explain complex culinary concepts in simple terms. Bring along any visual aids or samples if possible, as this can make your presentation more engaging and memorable.
