Chef

dnata catering and retail; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Onsite parking

Meals provided

Uniforms

Career development

Relocation opportunities

5 weeks annual leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

dnata catering and retail is hiring for a full-time role in Cairns, delivering high-volume inflight meals. You will produce hot and cold meals to airline specifications, manage stock and waste, and ensure strict food safety standards while collaborating with chefs and catering staff.

The position runs on a 7-day roster with 38 hours per week. Applicants should hold at least Certificate III Commercial Cookery, demonstrate strong organization, communication, and a proactive attitude, and be able

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications: Certificate III Commercial Cookery or higher.
• Ability to work a 7-day rotating roster.
• Good written & verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Must be motivated, hardworking & have a good attitude.
• Clear National Police Check required.
• Availability to work 38 hours/week, full-time.

Responsibilities

• Prepare hot & cold meals for airlines in quantities up to 3,000 daily.
• Manage stock control and minimize wastage.
• Maintain a hygienic work environment at all times.
• Follow menu specifications and Food Safety/HACCP/QA/WHS.
• Coordinate with Chefs and Catering Attendants for meal setup and loading.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Time management

Work under pressure

Motivation

Attitude

Education

Certificate III Commercial Cookery

Job description

Want to elevate your career to a Higher Altitude?

Join Australia's premier inflight catering and retail partner.

Global Brand. Market Leader.

At dnata catering & retail, the sky's truly the limit!

AVIATION SUPPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2025
AUSTRALASIA's AIRLINE CATERER OF THE YEAR 2025

What does a typical day look like?

Central to our Production team, you will be working in a busy, open plan kitchen preparing & cooking various international hot & cold meals in commercial quantities, for our customer Airlines. Following our Master Production Schedules (MPS), ensuring meals are cooked to specification, including dietaries and allergens for each scheduled flight.

In a nutshell, your main responsibilities are:

• Preparing hot & cold meals for business & economy class passengers for various airlines, in commercial quantities (up to 3,000 a day)
• Manage stock control & minimizing food wastage.
• Cleaning & maintaining a hygienic work environment at all times.
• Strictly following menu specifications as well as Food Safety / HACCP, QA & WHS.
• Work closely with other Chefs, liaising with and giving direction to Catering Attendants and Production Leading Hands who will be setting up, packing and loading the meals for either delivery or cold storage (cook/chill).

What do you need to be successful in securing this role?

• Tertiary qualifications Min Certificate III Commercial Cookery or higher.
• Passion & drive to deliver high quality food to our customers.
• Ability to work a 7-day rotating roster.
• Good written & verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good organizational & time management skills.
• Must be motivated, hardworking & have a good attitude.
• Ability to work under pressure in a busy kitchen.
• Previous experience in a commercial kitchen environment preferred but not essential.
• As you will be working in the Aviation Services industry, you will be required to obtain a clear National Police Check.
• Availability to work 38 hours/week, as this role is a full-time permanent position.

What’s in it for you?

• Be part of a close knit & dedicated team that is committed to safety.
• Competitive pay rates and hourly penalties.
• Free onsite parking, meals, and uniforms.
• Career development and progression, coupled with national relocation opportunities.
• 5 weeks Annual Leave.
• Discounts at hundreds of retailers (such as Woolies, Caltex and JB-HiFi), discounted health insurance and wellbeing resources including online exercise classes.

About Us:

We are Australia’s largest and most admired inflight catering and retail partner. Specialising in inflight catering and retail, food manufacturing, and airport lounge management, our group of diverse brands enables us to deliver extensive service capabilities.

Chosen by many of the world’s top airlines, we operate 16 facilities across 10 cities and employ over 4,000 people who help us to produce over 64 million meals, and service more than 250,000 flights, each year.

Parent company dnata – part of the Emirates Group – is one of the world’s largest air services providers. Offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and inflight catering and retail services, dnata ensures the aviation industry operates smoothly and efficiently.

Want to know more about dnata catering and our global businesses? Visit our Australian careers website https://dnatacateringcareers.com.au/ and watch a short video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqf4mvwm3E0

Does this role sound perfect for you? If so, we want to hear from you!