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: Great opportunity for culinary growth and teamwork in a dynamic setting.
- Why this job: Experience high-altitude cooking in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Qualifications: Food safety knowledge and experience in a professional kitchen are essential.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 35000 € 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 Wembley employer: gategroup
gategourmet Colindale is an exceptional employer for chefs seeking a dynamic and rewarding career in high-volume, high-standard culinary production. With a focus on quality and consistency, our fast-paced kitchen environment offers opportunities for professional growth and development while working with a talented team dedicated to excellence in airline catering. Enjoy the unique experience of crafting meals that soar at 35,000 feet, all within a supportive work culture that values reliability and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef in Wembley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research gategourmet and their values. When you walk into that kitchen, show us you understand what high-altitude cooking is all about and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your knife skills and speed! In a fast-paced environment like this, being able to chop and prepare quickly while maintaining quality is key. Maybe set a timer and see how fast you can prep a dish without compromising on standards.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to adapt! The menus can change based on client requirements, so show us you're flexible and can think on your feet. Bring examples of how you've successfully adapted in previous roles to impress during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at gategourmet. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Chef in Wembley
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 Experience:Don’t just list your previous jobs; tell us about the specific tasks you handled. Mention any high-volume cooking you've done and how you maintained quality and consistency under pressure. This will help us see how you fit into our fast-paced environment.
Emphasise Teamwork:Since we’re all about collaboration in the kitchen, make sure to mention your ability to work as part of a team. Share examples of how you’ve communicated effectively with colleagues to get the job done, especially in busy settings.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join us!
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 role demands precision, so showing that you understand portion control and presentation standards will impress.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since this position requires collaboration in a fast-paced environment, be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively within a team. Highlight any experiences where communication was key to success, as being a great team player is essential in this kitchen.
✨Demonstrate Food Safety Knowledge
Make sure you’re familiar with food safety regulations and hygiene practices. Discuss your qualifications, like your Food Safety in Catering Level 2, and any HACCP training you’ve received. Employers want to know you can maintain strict food safety standards while working efficiently.
✨Adaptability is Key
Be ready to talk about how you handle changing menus and client requirements. Share specific instances where you had to adapt quickly in a kitchen setting. This shows that you can thrive in a dynamic environment, which is crucial for producing in-flight meals.
