Job Title: Specialty Chef - Chinese Cuisine
Job Location: Phoenix-USA-85040
Work Location Type: On-Site
Salary Range: $56,949.36 - 71,186.70
About us
Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.
The Opportunity
The Specialty Chef plays a key leadership role in delivering high-quality, authentic Chinese cuisine while supporting daily kitchen operations in a fast-paced environment. Working alongside the Executive Chef, this position oversees food preparation, quality standards, and team development to ensure a consistent and exceptional dining experience.The ideal candidate has experience preparing and executing traditional and contemporary Chinese dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken, Chow Mein, Fried Rice, Dim Sum, Char Siu, Hot and Sour Soup, and a variety of regional specialties. The candidate should possess strong knowledge of Chinese culinary techniques, including wok cooking, stir-frying, steaming, roasting, braising, stock preparation, knife skills, sauce development, and dumpling production. The Specialty Chef will lead by example, mentor kitchen staff, maintain food safety and sanitation standards, and ensure consistency in flavor, presentation, authenticity, and execution across all menu offerings.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage starting Day 1
• Employer‑paid life insurance and AD&D benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free meals and parking
• Career growth opportunities with a global organization
How You’ll Elevate Our Team
• Oversee and execute Chinese food production, including preparation, seasoning, marinating, and cooking.
• Monitor inventory, order ingredients, and ensure daily production goals are met.
• Innovate by contributing to the development of new Chinese menu items for client presentations.
• Lead quality control efforts, ensuring compliance with HACCP and hygiene regulations.
• Mentor and train team members to achieve culinary excellence.
• Maintain budgetary controls by minimizing waste and optimizing resources.
• Respond to customer feedback and implement improvements to exceed expectations.
What You Bring to the Table
- 3-5 years of professional cooking experience in a high-volume or specialty kitchen environment; preparing authentic Chinese cuisine.
- Culinary school certification or apprenticeship
- Fluency in Chinese and English
- Prior airline catering experience a plus .
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and timing to ensure deliverables are completed to meet the pre-determined Kitchen Ready Time.
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards (HACCP).
- Ability to work a pre-determined schedule (shift) that meets the timeline for when the daily production needs to be performed and completed.
SkyChefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
