At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious in-flight meals for First Class, Business Class, and Economy passengers.
- Company: Join gategourmet, a leading airline catering company with high standards.
- Benefits: Earn £16.37 per hour with a permanent contract and rolling rota.
- Other info: Perfect for culinary enthusiasts looking to make an impact in aviation.
- Why this job: Experience high-altitude cooking in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Qualifications: Food safety knowledge and experience in a professional kitchen preferred.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 40000 € per year.
gategourmet Colindale is recruiting a Chef to join our team producing in flight meals for First Class, Business Class and Economy class, for one of our prestigious aviation customers. 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: 06:30am - 15:30pm
Schedule: Rolling rota, 4 on 2 off.
Contract: Permanent position
Hourly rate: £16.37 phr.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparing and producing meals
- 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 London employer: gategroup
gategourmet Colindale offers an exceptional working environment for chefs, where culinary creativity meets high-volume production in the aviation industry. With a focus on quality and consistency, employees benefit from a supportive team culture, opportunities for professional growth, and the unique experience of crafting meals that soar at 35,000 feet. Enjoy a permanent position with competitive pay and a rolling rota that allows for work-life balance in a dynamic kitchen setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research gategourmet and their values. When you walk into that interview, show us you understand what they do and how you can contribute to their high standards in aviation catering.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills under pressure. Since this role is all about high-volume production, try cooking a meal within a tight timeframe. This will help you demonstrate your ability to maintain quality while working at speed.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your food safety knowledge. Make sure you're familiar with food hygiene regulations and HACCP principles. Being able to talk confidently about these during your interview will show us you're serious about maintaining high standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re keen and ready to join our team at gategourmet.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your culinary skills and experience. We want to see how your background in professional kitchens or catering can bring value to our team at gategourmet.
Be Specific About Your Qualifications:If you've got qualifications like City & Guilds or NVQ in Professional Cookery, shout about them! Mention any food safety certifications too, as they’re essential for us to maintain high standards in our kitchen.
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Since we operate in a fast-paced environment, it’s crucial to showcase your ability to work well in a team. Share examples of how you’ve collaborated with others in previous roles to get the job done efficiently.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you on board for this exciting opportunity in high-altitude 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.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Food Safety Standards
Since food safety is crucial in this role, make sure you can talk confidently about your knowledge of food safety regulations and HACCP. Mention any relevant qualifications you have, like your Level 2 Food Safety in Catering, to demonstrate your commitment to hygiene.
✨Show Off Your Team Spirit
This position requires excellent teamwork, so be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in a kitchen setting. Highlight any experiences where communication was key to success, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Fast-Paced Scenarios
Expect questions about how you handle pressure and adapt to changing menus. Think of specific instances where you’ve had to think on your feet in a busy kitchen. This will help illustrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
