Job Description

Lounge Chef

Location: Dublin Airport

Salary: €35,000 - €42,000 per annum

Employment Type: Full-Time

Recruitment Partner: Excel Aviation

About the Role

Excel Aviation is recruiting on behalf of a leading premium hospitality provider at Dublin Airport for an experienced Lounge Chef.

This role offers the opportunity to work in a high-end airport lounge environment, preparing and presenting quality food offerings for premium passengers. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering exceptional culinary standards, maintaining food safety compliance, and ensuring a first-class customer experience.

The Lounge Chef will play a key role in the day-to-day operation of the lounge kitchen, ensuring food is prepared, presented, and replenished to the highest standards while supporting a professional and efficient service environment.

Purpose of the Role

To plan, prepare, present, and oversee the delivery of high-quality food offerings within a premium airport lounge environment. The Lounge Chef will ensure exceptional food standards, provide guidance to lounge team members, and contribute to an outstanding customer experience for lounge guests.

Key Responsibilities

Food Preparation & Service

• Prepare, cook, and present food to a consistently high standard.
• Ensure food displays are attractive, fully stocked, and maintained throughout service periods.
• Monitor food quality, freshness, and presentation at all times.
• Maintain buffet and food service areas in accordance with company standards.
• Ensure sufficient food preparation is completed for upcoming service periods.

Customer Experience

• Interact professionally with lounge guests when required.
• Provide information on food offerings and accommodate guest preferences where possible.
• Gather customer feedback and communicate opportunities for service improvements to management.

Kitchen Operations

• Maintain stock levels and complete food ordering requirements as directed.
• Monitor stock rotation, date coding, and shelf-life compliance.
• Ensure refrigerators, freezers, storage areas, and kitchen facilities are maintained to the highest standards.
• Support efficient daily kitchen operations and service delivery.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Comply with all Food Safety, HACCP, Health & Safety, and hygiene regulations.
• Complete and maintain all required temperature records, cleaning schedules, and compliance documentation.
• Ensure housekeeping standards are maintained throughout kitchen and food service areas.
• Wear the prescribed uniform and PPE at all times while on duty.

Team Support

• Provide guidance and support to lounge service staff regarding food presentation and service standards.
• Attend training sessions, team meetings, and operational briefings as required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to maintain a positive and professional working environment.

Challenges & Working Environment

This role operates within a fast-paced hospitality environment where service standards must remain consistently high.

The successful candidate will need to:

• Work efficiently under pressure during peak passenger periods.
• Adapt to changing operational requirements and passenger volumes.
• Respond effectively to unexpected operational challenges.
• Demonstrate flexibility, including early morning, evening, weekend, and public holiday shifts.
• Comply with all airport security and access requirements.

Key Accountabilities

The Lounge Chef will be responsible for:

• Delivering an exceptional culinary experience for lounge guests.
• Maintaining the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and service.
• Ensuring full compliance with food safety, HACCP, hygiene, and health & safety regulations.
• Managing stock levels, food preparation requirements, and kitchen organisation.
• Supporting continuous improvement in customer satisfaction and lounge operations.
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and fully operational kitchen environment at all times.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience working as a Chef in a professional kitchen environment.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, presentation, and food safety standards.
• HACCP and food safety awareness.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Professional and customer-focused approach.
• Flexible and reliable with the ability to work shift patterns.

Desirable

• Experience working in hospitality, hotels, premium lounges, or high-volume catering environments.
• Experience working within an airport or travel-related environment.
• Formal culinary qualification.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of €35,000 - €42,000 per annum
• Opportunity to work in a premium hospitality environment at Dublin Airport
• Training and career development opportunities
• Employee support and wellbeing programmes
• Dynamic and professional working environment

Apply today through Excel Aviation and take the next step in your culinary career at Dublin Airport.