Key Skills

Job Description

Are you a passionate culinary leader with extensive expertise in authentic Chinese cuisine? Do you combine creativity and innovation with the ability to lead teams, develop menus and deliver exceptional food at scale? Gate Gourmet is looking for a Chinese Development Chef to lead Chinese culinary innovation and menu development across the Netherlands. Reporting to the Executive Chef, Culinary Excellence & Menu Design, you will create authentic, commercially viable menu concepts while ensuring consistent quality, standardisation and operational excellence. Working closely with customers, account managers, the menu development team and operational chefs, you will turn customer requirements into inspiring dishes that meet culinary, nutritional, allergen, cost and production standards. Your role and responsibilities Culinary innovation: Develop classic and contemporary Chinese menus, recipes and concepts that reflect regional flavours, customer preferences, food trends and nutritional requirements. Menu development: Translate customer briefs into commercially viable menus, recipes and portion specifications, delivering projects within agreed timelines, budgets and resources. Quality and standardisation: Establish consistent recipes, portion specifications and plating guidelines, and conduct quality checks and audits across relevant regional flight kitchens. Training and development: Train and coach operational chefs in Chinese cooking techniques, culinary standards and production skills, ensuring consistent delivery and maintaining training records. Operational collaboration: Partner with menu development, account management and operational teams to support menu launches, tenders, presentations, workshops and customer requirements. Continuous improvement: Monitor food preparation, product yields, costs and performance indicators; identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste and resolve operational challenges. Leadership: Drive Chinese culinary development and support strategic projects, promotions and new menu launches that strengthen the Gate Gourmet brand. Compliance: Ensure all activities meet food safety, health and safety, environmental and company requirements. Education and experience A culinary arts, food science or nutrition certificate, diploma or degree, supported by vocational culinary training and relevant hygiene qualifications. 5–7 years' experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef, including 4–5 years of international experience, plus 2–5 years in menu design or planning. Proven expertise in authentic regional Chinese cuisine, with substantial experience in catering, hotels or restaurants. Extensive experience managing large-scale food production and culinary teams. Experience managing budgets, financial objectives and performance targets. Global culinary experience is preferred; in-flight catering or other high-volume food service experience is a strong advantage. Skills and capabilities Strong leadership, communication, coaching and presentation skills. A proactive, innovative and customer-focused mindset. Excellent organisation, time management and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including practical experience using KPIs to drive performance. Understanding of large-scale food production, meal assembly, Lean management and financial and budget management. Intermediate IT skills and the ability to work effectively across operational and non-operational teams. Relevant professional culinary qualifications; ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain it. Languages Fluent written and spoken English. Proficiency in written and spoken Mandarin and/or Cantonese. Why join Gate Gourmet? This is an opportunity to combine your passion for authentic Chinese cuisine with culinary innovation and international food production. You will play a key role in shaping menu concepts, developing culinary talent and raising food quality and consistency across our operations in the Netherlands. Before you apply Please note that this position requires you to: Be eligible to obtain a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) and a Certificate of No Objection (VGB). Successfully complete a background screening. Have continuously resided in the Netherlands for the past 8 years, as required for airport security clearance.

Core Responsibilities

Develop authentic Chinese menus, recipes, and commercially viable concepts, ensuring consistent quality, portioning, cost control, and compliance across regional flight kitchens. Train and support operational chefs, collaborate with customers and internal teams on launches and projects, and improve production efficiency and performance.

Requirements

Requires culinary education or vocational training, relevant hygiene qualifications, and 5–7 years of Head Chef or Executive Chef experience, including international experience and menu design or planning. Candidates should have substantial expertise in regional Chinese cuisine and large-scale food production, strong leadership and analytical skills, fluent English, and Mandarin and/or Cantonese proficiency.