Oriental Chef

Dnata; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free breakfast

Free lunch

Free dinner

On-site parking

Dental cover

Optical cover

Refer a Friend

Gym discount

Cycle to work

Apprenticeship program

Job summary

Dnata is seeking an Oriental Speciality Chef in Manchester to manage a designated kitchen station within flight catering. You will prepare, cook and present high-quality Oriental/Cantonese dishes according to recipes and client specs, while ensuring compliance with hygiene, safety and airline standards.

This fast-paced kitchen role involves supervising a station, training junior staff, and supporting safety audits within a dynamic airline catering operation.

Qualifications

• Oriental Cantonese cooking experience.
• Professional culinary training or equivalent experience in a large-scale catering or airline environment.
• Ability to manage a kitchen station and lead junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook menu items following approved recipes and portion guidelines.
• Oversee activities within the assigned kitchen station to ensure smooth operations.
• Maintain hygiene, sanitation and food safety per HACCP and airline standards.
• Prepare mise en place and ensure timely production and dispatch.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with stock rotation to meet quality standards.
• Label and package batches accurately per airline catering regulations.
• Collaborate with Sous Chef and kitchen staff to maintain cleanliness and workflow.
• Train and support junior staff such as Demi Chef de Partie and Commis Chefs.
• Support safety audits and update compliance records.

Skills

Oriental Cantonese cooking

Leadership of station

Food safety HACCP

Team training

Communication skills

Job description

Oriental Chef

Department: Kitchen Non-Halal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Manchester M90 5AF (FLIGHT)

Compensation: £18.46 / hour

Description

The Oriental Speciality Chef is responsible for managing a designated kitchen station within the flight catering operation. This role involves preparing, cooking, and presenting high-quality Oriental/Cantonese dishes according to standardised recipes and client specifications. The Oriental Speciality Chef ensures that all food production within their section meets stringent hygiene, safety, and airline quality standards.

This is a fast-paced kitchen environment with physical requirements that may include prolonged standing and use of kitchen equipment, with reasonable adjustments where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

What you'll be doing

• Prepare and cook menu items following approved recipes, specifications and portion control guidelines to maintain consistency and quality
• Manage and oversee all activities within the assigned kitchen station, ensuring smooth and efficient operation
• Maintain exceptional standards of hygiene, sanitation, and food safety by adhering to airline and company policies, including HACCP procedures
• Prepare mise en place with precision, ensuring all components are ready for timely production and dispatch
• Monitor stock levels for the station, report shortages, assist with stock rotation, and ensure all ingredients meet quality expectations
• Ensure accurate batch labeling and packaging in compliance with airline catering regulations
• Collaborate closely with the Sous Chef and other kitchen staff to maintain overall kitchen cleanliness, organization, and workflow efficiency
• Train and support junior staff such as Demi Chef de Partie and Commis Chefs within the station
• Participate actively in safety audits, updating records and compliance documentation as necessary

Please note your duties will include but are not limited to the above

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

What we're looking for

• Oriental / Cantonese cooking experience
• Professional culinary training or equivalent relevant experience in a large-scale catering, food production, hospitality, or airline catering environment
• Experience working in a specific kitchen section, such as grill, sauté, pastry, or a similar area, within a busy production environment
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, including HACCP and airline hygiene regulations
• Excellent organisational and leadership abilities to manage a station and junior team members
• Ability to perform under pressure while maintaining high standards of food quality and presentation
• Effective communication and teamwork skills

Benefits

Benefits

• Free breakfast, lunch and dinner on site, including refreshments
• Free on-site parking
• £60 towards both, dental and optical cover through our Simply Health Cash Plan
• £150 if you Refer a Friend
• Discounted gym membership at over 2000 gyms nationwide
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Opportunity to enhance your learning through our inhouse apprenticeship programme
• Pension scheme and life cover
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which offers counselling and advice on a wide variety of issues, 24 hours a day, seven days a week

INDMC