Chef [ Cairns]

Alha Flight Services trading as dnata catering; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free onsite parking

Meals provided

Uniforms

Career development opportunities

Relocation opportunities

5 weeks annual leave

Discounts at retailers

Job summary

dnata catering in Australia’s aviation services sector seeks a full-time Cook to join its busy production team in Cairns. You'll prepare hot and cold meals for multiple airlines, following Master Production Schedules, ensuring dietary requirements and allergen controls are met.

The role requires a Certificate III Commercial Cookery or higher, flexibility to work a 7-day roster, and strong communication and time-management skills.

Qualifications

• 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.
• National Police Check is required due to Aviation Services industry.
• Availability to work 38 hours/week, as this role is a full-time permanent position.

Responsibilities

• 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).

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