At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and cook high-quality Oriental dishes in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Company: Join dnata Catering UK, a vibrant team at Heathrow airport.
- Benefits: Free meals, parking, gym discounts, and health cover.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team and showcase your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Oriental cooking and strong food safety knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 36000 € per year.
dnata Catering UK are actively seeking an Oriental Chef to join our already successful and vibrant team at Heathrow airport. As an Oriental Chef you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our catering and goods arrive with our airline customers on time in line with various scheduling requirements.
The Oriental Speciality Chef is responsible for managing a designated kitchen station within the flight catering operation. This role involves preparing, cooking, and presenting high-quality Oriental/Eastern dishes according to standardised recipes and client specifications. The Oriental Speciality Chef ensures that all food production within their section meets stringent hygiene, safety, and airline quality standards. This is a fast‑paced kitchen environment with physical requirements that may include prolonged standing and use of kitchen equipment, with reasonable adjustments where appropriate.
Key Responsibilities- Prepare and cook menu items following approved recipes, specifications and portion control guidelines to maintain consistency and quality.
- Manage and oversee all activities within the assigned kitchen station, ensuring smooth and efficient operation.
- Maintain exceptional standards of hygiene, sanitation, and food safety by adhering to airline and company policies, including HACCP procedures.
- Prepare mise en place with precision, ensuring all components are ready for timely production and dispatch.
- Monitor stock levels for the station, report shortages, assist with stock rotation, and ensure all ingredients meet quality expectations.
- Ensure accurate batch labeling and packaging in compliance with airline catering regulations.
- Collaborate closely with the Sous Chef and other kitchen staff to maintain overall kitchen cleanliness, organization, and workflow efficiency.
- Train and support junior staff such as Demi Chef de Partie and Commis Chefs within the station.
- Participate actively in safety audits, updating records and compliance documentation as necessary.
Please note your duties will include but are not limited to the above.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise- Oriental / Eastern cooking experience.
- Professional culinary training or equivalent relevant experience in a large‑scale catering, food production, hospitality, or airline catering environment.
- Experience working in a specific kitchen section, such as grill, sauté, pastry, or a similar area, within a busy production environment.
- Strong knowledge of food safety standards, including HACCP and airline hygiene regulations.
- Excellent organisational and leadership abilities to manage a station and junior team members.
- Ability to perform under pressure while maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation.
- Effective communication and teamwork skills.
- Free breakfast, lunch and dinner on site, including refreshments.
- Free on‑site parking.
- £60 towards both dental and optical cover through our Simply Health Cash Plan.
- £150 if you Refer a Friend.
- Discounted gym membership at over 2000 gyms nationwide.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Opportunity to enhance your learning through our in‑house apprenticeship programme.
- Pension scheme and life cover.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which offers counselling and advice on a wide variety of issues, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Oriental Chef employer: dnata
dnata Catering UK is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture at the bustling Heathrow airport. With competitive pay and a range of benefits including free meals, health cover, and opportunities for professional growth through in-house training, we prioritise our employees' well-being and development. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your culinary skills can shine in a fast-paced environment, all while enjoying the perks of working in one of the UK's busiest hubs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Oriental Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs, join culinary groups, and connect with people in the airline catering industry. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio of your best dishes or even a short video showcasing your cooking techniques. This can really set you apart from other candidates when you’re chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you’re interested in, like dnata Catering UK, and express your enthusiasm for working with them. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our vibrant team at Heathrow. Let’s get you cooking!
We think you need these skills to ace Oriental Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your Oriental cooking experience and any professional culinary training you've had. We want to see how your skills match up with what we're looking for!
Be Specific:Don't just say you can cook; tell us about the specific dishes you've mastered and how you've managed a kitchen station before. The more details you provide, the better we can understand your expertise.
Keep It Clean:Since hygiene and food safety are super important in our kitchens, mention any experience you have with HACCP procedures or maintaining high standards of cleanliness. This will show us you're serious about food safety!
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 get you into our vibrant team at Heathrow. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at dnata
✨Know Your Cuisine
Make sure you brush up on your Oriental cooking techniques and dishes. Be ready to discuss your experience with specific recipes and how you maintain quality and presentation under pressure. This shows your passion and expertise in the field.
✨Showcase Your Hygiene Knowledge
Since food safety is crucial, be prepared to talk about HACCP procedures and how you ensure hygiene standards in the kitchen. Mention any past experiences where you successfully maintained these standards, as it will demonstrate your commitment to safety.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Collaboration is key in a busy kitchen. Share examples of how you've worked effectively with other chefs and supported junior staff. Highlighting your teamwork skills will show that you're not just a great chef but also a valuable team player.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect questions that may require you to think on your feet, like how you'd handle a busy service or manage stock shortages. Practise answering these types of scenarios to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to perform under pressure.
