Airline Catering Head Chef — Lead High-Volume Kitchens

Newrest; England; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits

Career progression

Job summary

Newrest UK is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead a high-volume airline catering operation, delivering exceptional inflight dining and maintaining the highest standards.

You will manage a large kitchen team across shifts, optimize production plans, control costs, ensure HACCP compliance, and collaborate with airline partners to exceed passenger expectations. This role demands leadership, resilience and a passion for culinary excellence.

Qualifications

• Proven Head Chef or Executive Chef in a high-volume catering/hospitality environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent knowledge of HACCP, food safety and quality systems.
• Experience managing budgets, stock, and kitchen KPIs.
• Calm under pressure with outstanding organisational skills.
• Passion for developing teams and delivering operational excellence.
• Flexible approach to working in a 24/7 operation.
• Aviation or large-scale catering experience is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop a large kitchen team across shifts.
• Deliver high-quality food production to strict airline specifications.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, HACCP and health & safety standards.
• Manage production planning to meet demanding flight schedules and service levels.
• Control food costs, waste, stock and labour budgets.
• Maintain exceptional standards of quality, presentation and consistency.
• Drive continuous improvement, efficiency and innovation across the kitchen.
• Work closely with operational and airline partners to exceed customer expectations.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Leadership

HACCP knowledge

Budget management

Organizational skills

Team development

24/7 operation

Aviation catering

Job description

Newrest UK is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead a high-volume airline catering operation, delivering exceptional inflight dining and maintaining the highest standards.

You will manage a large kitchen team across shifts, optimize production plans, control costs, ensure HACCP compliance, and collaborate with airline partners to exceed passenger expectations. This role demands leadership, resilience and a passion for culinary excellence.