At a Glance
- Tasks: Source and manage high-end food items for luxury clients in a dynamic kitchen environment.
- Company: Join Odyssey, a leader in private aviation catering with Michelin-starred excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy career progression, a supportive team culture, and regular working hours.
- Other info: Thriving in a people-first culture with opportunities to grow your career.
- Why this job: Be the vital link between clients and chefs, making every order a memorable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in fast-paced environments and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Overview
Kitchen Operations Associate – Full-Time, London-Based, Permanent Position
About Odyssey: Odyssey is redefining private aviation catering by combining the culinary excellence of our two Michelin-starred chef with world-class customer service. Already established in London, Paris, and Miami, we are expanding internationally with a simple promise: uncompromising quality, responsiveness, and personalisation.
The Role
We are looking for a Kitchen Operations Associate to join our London team. This is a pivotal role in our day-to-day operations. You will act as the voice of Odyssey for our clients, primarily in the UK but also supporting requests from our Paris and Miami markets. You will ensure seamless coordination between our client services team and the kitchen, and handle high-touch concierge requests, from sourcing rare items in-store to managing urgent, last-minute luxury purchases for VIP clients.
Key Responsibilities
- Take ownership of sourcing: identify, purchase, and collect products across London, from specialist food suppliers to retail stores, based on kitchen and client requirements.
- Act as the operational link between clients, kitchen, and drivers, ensuring clear communication, feasibility, and smooth execution of orders at all times.
- Handle incoming requests (email and phone) with speed and accuracy, translating client needs into clear, actionable briefs for the kitchen team.
- Support day-to-day service operations, including troubleshooting issues, managing last-minute changes, and ensuring orders go out on time and to standard.
- Spend a significant portion of time outside the office/kitchen, running errands and sourcing items in line with operational needs.
- Make quick, practical decisions on sourcing alternatives when products are unavailable or timelines are tight.
- Work closely with chefs to understand ingredients, prep constraints, and kitchen workflows, ensuring requests are realistic and executable.
- Coordinate with drivers and logistics to ensure timely dispatch, accurate handovers, and real-time updates where needed.
- Maintain high attention to detail across orders, from quoting through to final delivery, ensuring consistency and quality.
Your Profile
- 2-4 years of experience in fast-paced, hands-on environments such as kitchens, food production, hospitality operations, or similar execution-focused roles.
- Comfortable working closely with chefs and operational teams; you understand kitchen constraints, urgency, and standards.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail, you can manage multiple moving parts without things slipping.
- Proactive and resourceful: you take ownership, solve problems quickly, and don’t wait to be told what to do.
- Comfortable being on your feet and spending time outside the office, running errands, sourcing products, and navigating the city as part of the role.
- Calm under pressure, with the ability to handle last-minute changes and time-sensitive requests.
- Clear and concise communicator in English; able to translate requests into actionable instructions for the kitchen and team.
- Good knowledge of London (suppliers, food shops, logistics routes) is a strong plus.
- Previous experience in high-end food & beverage or premium environments is beneficial, but mindset and work ethic matter more than background.
What We Offer
- The chance to join a fast-growing business with high standards of excellence and genuine opportunities for career progression.
- A people-first, high-performance environment with a focus on craftsmanship, service, and team spirit.
- A full-time, permanent contract with regular working hours (with occasional out-of-hours coverage during peak periods).
Kitchen Operations Associate employer: Odyssey Dining
Odyssey Dining is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring our team members can advance their careers while enjoying the unique advantage of working in a vibrant city known for its culinary excellence. Join us to be part of a passionate team that values quality service and innovation in the hospitality industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Operations Associate
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Odyssey's values, their culinary style, and what makes them tick. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Kitchen Operations Associate role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to kitchen operations and client service. Think about scenarios where you've had to solve problems quickly or manage multiple tasks. We want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Odyssey team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Operations Associate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for food and culinary excellence shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about the quality and service we provide at Odyssey.
Be Clear and Concise:Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. We appreciate clear communication, so use simple language and avoid jargon. This will help us understand your experience and how it fits with the role of Kitchen Operations Associate.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to showcase any hands-on experience you have in kitchens or hospitality. Whether it’s sourcing ingredients or managing orders, make sure to connect your past roles to what we’re looking for in this position.
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 proactive!
How to prepare for a job interview at Odyssey Dining
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of ingredients and products that Odyssey uses. Understanding the culinary side will help you communicate effectively with the chefs and demonstrate your passion for high-quality food.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Practice clear and concise communication. You’ll need to translate client requests into actionable briefs, so being able to articulate your thoughts and ideas is crucial. Consider role-playing scenarios with a friend to sharpen your skills.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you had to think on your feet and solve problems quickly. Odyssey values proactivity, so highlight times when you took ownership of a situation and delivered results under pressure.
✨Get to Know London
Brush up on your knowledge of London’s food suppliers and logistics routes. Being well-versed in the city will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you’re ready to hit the ground running in this role.