Job Description
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