About the Role
The Senior Chef leads all culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and service. This hands on role provides strong kitchen leadership while delivering an outstanding dining experience. As a key ambassador for CAVU Experiences and the Escape brand, the Senior Chef upholds its values and inspires both guests and the wider team.
The Senior Chef will lead in Manchester’s Executive Airport Lounge. This is a premium, high end space for discerning travellers, offering a refined atmosphere with self service buffets, high quality food and drink options, and the choice of seated dining. Open daily, it reflects the luxury and exclusivity of the Escape brand.
Principle Accountabilities:
Menu & Food Standards: Deliver all dishes to required specifications, ensuring exceptional flavour, consistency, and presentation.
Brand Representation: Act as a positive ambassador for CAVU Experiences, promoting its values and contributing to a professional, creative, and guest focused culture.
Guest Interaction: Engage with guests to gather feedback, accommodate requests, and personalise their dining experience. Regularly review feedback data to identify trends and improvements.
Commercial Responsibilities: Manage ordering, receipt, and supplier relationships to maintain stock levels and resolve delivery issues. Monitor and record food waste, analyse data, and support sustainable kitchen practices. Assist with accurate monthly and ad hoc stocktakes.
People Leadership: Support in leading, developing, and motivating the kitchen team, contributing to reviews, recognition, training compliance, and rota planning. Maintain strong communication and organisational standards, with flexibility around working hours.
Compliance & Safety: Uphold strict food safety and quality controls, complete regular checks and audits, ensure correct protective clothing is used, and maintain accurate compliance records through CAVU systems.
What will make you successful in the role?
You’ll thrive in this role if you bring strong culinary expertise, a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, and the ability to lead confidently in a fast paced environment. You’ll be someone who inspires others, upholds high standards, and contributes positively to the culture of the Executive Lounge.
Strong understanding of food safety, hygiene standards, and allergen controls
Proven experience in a senior culinary role within a high volume, fast paced environment
Confident working in a call order / à la carte kitchen
Supportive leader who can coach, motivate, and inspire a diverse team
Ability to prioritise, delegate, and stay composed under pressure
Commitment to maintaining high safety and hygiene standards
Comfortable with the physical demands of a role spent largely on your feet
Proficient with computers, especially Microsoft Office
Professional, guest focused role model for the Escape brand
Adaptable, resilient, and proactive in a changing environment
Professional appearance and demeanour suited to a premium setting