At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious meals for airline passengers at high altitudes in a fast-paced kitchen.
- Company: Join gategourmet, a leading airline catering company at London Gatwick.
- Benefits: Earn £16.61 per hour with flexible shifts and a permanent contract.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and teamwork.
- Why this job: Experience high-volume cooking and make an impact on travellers' dining experiences.
- Qualifications: Food safety knowledge and experience in a professional kitchen are preferred.
The predicted salary is between 34600 - 34600 € per year.
gategourmet London Gatwick is recruiting 3 Chefs to join our team producing catering for First Class, Business Class and Economy across a range of airline clients. This isn't a restaurant gig, it's high-volume, high-standard, high-altitude cooking at one of the world's leading airline catering companies.
The Role
You'll be working in a fast-paced production kitchen, crafting dishes that land on trays 35,000 feet in the air. Whether it's a premium First Class plate or a well-executed Economy meal, quality and consistency matter every single time.
Hours: Earlies: 5am - 1:30pm or 6am - 2:30pm. Lates 2pm - 10:30pm (flexibility to cover all shifts)
Schedule: Rolling rota, 4 on 2 off.
Contract: Permanent position
Hourly rate: £16.61 phr.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparing and producing meals across multiple airline service classes
- Working to precise specifications, portion controls and presentation standards
- Maintaining strict food safety and hygiene throughout production
- Collaborating with a kitchen team operating at pace — timing is everything here
- Adapting to changing menus and client requirements
What We're Looking For
Qualifications (ideal but not all essential):
- City & Guilds Professional Cookery / NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Professional Cookery
- Food Safety in Catering Level 2 (essential)
- HACCP awareness / qualification
- Relevant culinary apprenticeship or professional cookery training
Skills & Experience:
- Solid background in a professional kitchen, hotel, contract catering, hospitality or production environments all count
- Strong knife skills and cookery fundamentals
- Ability to work accurately at speed without dropping standards
- Great team player — this kitchen runs on communication
- Reliable and punctual (airlines wait for no one)
- Comfortable with early starts and a rotating schedule
Chef in Crawley employer: gategroup
gategourmet London Gatwick offers an exceptional working environment for chefs, where culinary creativity meets high-volume production in a dynamic and fast-paced kitchen. With a commitment to quality and consistency, employees benefit from a supportive team culture, flexible scheduling, and opportunities for professional growth within one of the world's leading airline catering companies. Join us to elevate your culinary career while crafting exquisite meals that soar at 35,000 feet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Get your chef whites ready and be prepared to showcase your skills! When you land that interview, bring your A-game by demonstrating your culinary techniques. We want to see how you handle the heat in a fast-paced kitchen.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other chefs and industry professionals on social media or at local culinary events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 3
Be flexible and show your willingness to adapt. The airline catering world is all about changing menus and client requirements. Let us know during interviews that you’re ready to roll with the punches and keep quality at the forefront.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills:Make sure to highlight your cooking experience and any relevant qualifications in your application. We want to see your passion for food and how you can bring that to our high-altitude kitchen!
Be Specific About Your Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on the skills that match our needs. Talk about your experience in fast-paced environments and how you've maintained quality under pressure. We love a good story!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal:While we appreciate professionalism, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. A bit of flair in your writing can make your application stand out. Just remember, we’re looking for team players!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into our kitchen as soon as possible. Let’s get cooking!
How to prepare for a job interview at gategroup
✨Know Your Culinary Basics
Brush up on your knife skills and cooking fundamentals before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience in high-volume kitchens and how you maintain quality under pressure. This will show that you understand the demands of the role.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since this role requires great teamwork, think of examples where you've collaborated effectively in a kitchen setting. Highlight your communication skills and how you adapt to different team dynamics, as this is crucial for success in a fast-paced environment.
✨Understand Food Safety Standards
Make sure you're familiar with food safety regulations and hygiene practices. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of HACCP and any relevant qualifications you have. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards in food preparation.
✨Flexibility is Key
Be ready to talk about your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Emphasise your reliability and punctuality, as these traits are essential in the airline catering industry where timing is everything.
