gategourmet London Gatwick is recruiting 3 Chefs to join our team producing catering for First Class, Business Class and Economy across a range of airline clients. 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: Earlies: 5am - 1:30pm or 6am - 2:30pm. Lates 2pm - 10:30pm (flexibility to cover all shifts)
Schedule: Rolling rota, 4 on 2 off.
Contract: Permanent position
Hourly rate: £16.61 phr.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparing and producing meals across multiple airline service classes
- 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