Customer Dedicated Executive Chef in Ashford, Surrey

The Customer Dedicated Executive Chef role is dedicated to a strategic airline partner for the development of new menus and culinary concepts for the UK&I and U.S.A. These concepts may cross a range of global cuisines to align with our client’s brand values, food vision and corporate identity. The job holder will also be accountable for food services across all cabin classes and will align with Procurement to use approved suppliers to ensure menu items meet customer expectations, budget, nutritional and allergen requirements, sustainability standards and operational needs. In addition, they will be responsible for all client related kitchen operations in the UK&I and the U.S.A, influencing training and ensuring a high quality of culinary standard. The role requires a substantial amount of travel within the UK, predominantly between Heathrow and Gatwick but also to the USA as and when on-site presence is required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure the delivery of world class menu development and production services to the strategic customer reflecting their signature culinary style / requirements.
• Working closely alongside the Commercial Account Team, act as the gategroup expert with respect to the culinary offering the airline provides its customers’ with, while ensuring that a high level of customer experience is maintained.
• Assist the customer with the development of food philosophies and standards and ensure gategroup has the capability to deliver consistently against the customer's culinary standards.
• Build relationships with Division Regional Executive Chefs and Airline Unit Chefs to ensure clear communication of expectations and deliverables. Articulate the customer needs with respect to raw materials, helping identify and secure suppliers to meet the requirements.
• Act as the point of contact for the customer regarding menus, food, and kitchen service requirements.
• Ensure new specifications, recipes, and photos are properly documented and delivered for pricing analysis for each menu cycle change and for any iterations or amendments as may be required in-cycle.
• Travel to designated units to inspect, audit, train and make recommendations for improvements.
• Lead the preparation of all culinary aspects of the food presentations to the customer including but not limited to the food presentation, messaging, ingredients, and physical appearance of the local kitchen.
• Actively participate as a member of the account management team.
• Conduct both internal and customer required quality assurance checks and make immediate changes as necessary.
• Participate in menu cycle changes/start-ups for the customer.
• Contribute to menu presentations, tenders, and workshops in the UK&I & USA as required.
• Optimize manpower, product, and equipment levels for efficiency through dish and menu design – aligning with the UK&I Culinary Innovation Executive Chef.
• Resolve operational issues promptly and cost-effectively.
• Ensure recipes designed and produced are compliant with legislative requirements, including Food Safety, Health and Safety, Security, and Environmental controls.
• Implement innovations and support continuous improvement within the department and across the business.
• Adheres to gategroup’s corporate policies and procedures.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Certification/Degree/Diploma from a recognized post-secondary culinary institution.
• Management/Leadership & Sustainability & Corporate responsibility qualification an advantage.

Work Experience:

• Extensive experience as an Executive Chef, ideally with previous experience in a similar role.
• Experience in a menu design/planning role is essential.
• Experience in an In-flight catering or a high-volume food service environment preferable.
• Extensive experience in managing a large-scale food manufacturing department and associated teams.
• Previous experience of managing budgets, financial and performance related KPIs/targets.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Understanding of large-scale production and assembly essential.
• Lean Management Skills.
• Innovative and proactive thinker with a Customer Focused approach.
• Demonstrable experience of managing through KPI’s.
• Computer literate and proficient in MS Office (Word/Excel/Powerpoint).
• Financial Budgetary skills and demonstrable experience.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK, undertake a CRC (Criminal Record Check) and provide 5 years of checkable referencing history. For anytime spent outside the UK exceeding 6 months, you must be able to provide a CRC (Criminal Record Check) for that country. If you share our values of excellence, passion, respect and responsibility, don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our team. Apply TODAY.