Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary operations and create exceptional dining experiences for discerning travellers.
- Company: CAVU, a leading airport hospitality brand with a focus on seamless travel.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee discounts, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and showcase your culinary skills in a premium setting.
- Qualifications: Strong culinary expertise and leadership experience in a fast-paced kitchen.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.
The predicted salary is between 27900 - 38600 £ per year.
Based at Manchester Airport, this is a permanent, full-time position (40 hours per week) with a salary of £32,900 per annum.
The Senior Chef leads all culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and service. This hands-on role provides strong kitchen leadership while delivering an outstanding dining experience. As a key ambassador for CAVU Experiences and the Escape brand, the Senior Chef upholds its values and inspires both guests and the wider team.
The Senior Chef will lead in Manchester's Executive Airport Lounge, a premium, high-end space for discerning travellers, offering a refined atmosphere with self-service buffets, high-quality food and drink options, and the choice of seated dining. Open daily, it reflects the luxury and exclusivity of the Escape brand.
Principle Accountabilities:- Menu & Food Standards: Deliver all dishes to required specifications, ensuring exceptional flavour, consistency, and presentation.
- Brand Representation: Act as a positive ambassador for CAVU Experiences, promoting its values and contributing to a professional, creative, and guest-focused culture.
- Guest Interaction: Engage with guests to gather feedback, accommodate requests, and personalise their dining experience. Regularly review feedback data to identify trends and improvements.
- Commercial Responsibilities: Manage ordering, receipt, and supplier relationships to maintain stock levels and resolve delivery issues. Monitor and record food waste, analyse data, and support sustainable kitchen practices. Assist with accurate monthly and ad hoc stocktakes.
- People Leadership: Support in leading, developing, and motivating the kitchen team, contributing to reviews, recognition, training compliance, and rota planning. Maintain strong communication and organisational standards, with flexibility around working hours.
- Compliance & Safety: Uphold strict food safety and quality controls, complete regular checks and audits, ensure correct protective clothing is used, and maintain accurate compliance records through CAVU systems.
What will make you successful in the role? You'll thrive in this role if you bring strong culinary expertise, a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, and the ability to lead confidently in a fast-paced environment. You'll be someone who inspires others, upholds high standards, and contributes positively to the culture of the Executive Lounge.
- Strong understanding of food safety, hygiene standards, and allergen controls
- Proven experience in a senior culinary role within a high volume, fast-paced environment
- Confident working in a call order / Ã la carte kitchen
- Supportive leader who can coach, motivate, and inspire a diverse team
- Ability to prioritise, delegate, and stay composed under pressure
- Commitment to maintaining high safety and hygiene standards
- Comfortable with the physical demands of a role spent largely on your feet
- Proficient with computers, especially Microsoft Office
- Professional, guest-focused role model for the Escape brand
- Adaptable, resilient, and proactive in a changing environment
- Professional appearance and demeanour suited to a premium setting
As a CAVU employee, you will have access to some great benefits including:
- Access to our employee rewards portal with discounts and savings
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension scheme which doubles your contribution
- Fantastic career development opportunities – We are the UK's largest Airport Operator
- Tax-free Airside shopping in our departure lounge
- Meals on duty
Equal Opportunities & Reasonable Adjustments We're building something brilliant at MAG: a diverse team of Journey Makers who share our values and want to make a difference. We're on a mission to be number one in our industry, and that takes talent in all its forms. With so many exciting roles across our airports and businesses, there's space for your unique strengths to shine. Whether this is your first role or your next big step, we want to hear from you – even if you don't think you tick every box. What matters most is what you bring. We're proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know. We're committed to helping you perform at your best. At MAG, every journey matters.
Our Colleague Communities play a big part in that: Women's Network, Embrace (Race & Ethnicity), Fly with Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mind Matters (Mental Health), PACT (Parents & Carers), RespectABILITY (Disability & Neurodiversity), and the CAVU Global ID&E Affinity Group.
Senior Chef in Manchester employer: Mag
Contact Detail:
Mag Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Chef in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with fellow chefs and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Attend culinary events or local meet-ups to get your name out there and learn about hidden job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, create a portfolio showcasing your best dishes and culinary creations. A visual representation of your work can really impress potential employers and set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to restaurants or catering companies you admire. Express your interest in working with them and ask if they have any upcoming openings.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for talented chefs like you. Make sure to check out our listings and submit your application directly for the best chance at landing that dream role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Chef in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your culinary expertise and any unique dishes you've created. We want to see your passion for food and how you can bring that to our high-end dining experience.
Be a Brand Ambassador: Remember, you're not just applying for a job; you're representing the CAVU brand. Use your application to demonstrate how you embody our values and how you can contribute to creating exceptional experiences for our guests.
Engage with Us: Don’t shy away from sharing your thoughts on guest interaction and feedback. We love candidates who can engage with guests and personalise their dining experience, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past!
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Manchester Airport!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mag
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of dishes CAVU offers. Research their menu and think about how you can contribute to it. Be ready to discuss your culinary style and how it aligns with their high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Chef, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed kitchen staff in the past. Highlight your ability to maintain a positive atmosphere while ensuring high-quality food service.
✨Engage with Guest Experience
CAVU values exceptional guest experiences, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve interacted with guests in previous roles. Share specific instances where you’ve gathered feedback and made adjustments to enhance dining experiences.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Food Safety
Food safety is crucial in this role. Brush up on your knowledge of hygiene standards and allergen controls. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these practices in your previous positions to ensure compliance and safety.