Job Title: Executive Chef Development- Chinese Cuisine
Job Location: Irving-USA-75039
Work Location Type: On-Site
Salary Range: $84,765.00 - 105,000.00
About us
LSG Sky Chefs is one of the world’s largest airline catering and hospitality providers, known for its outstanding reputation and dynamic approach in the industry. Voted “Airline Caterer of the Year in North America” for 2023 and 2024, we are committed to excellence and innovation, driven by the dedication and expertise of our talented employees. Our team members are the heart and soul of our success, consistently delivering exceptional culinary experiences and outstanding service to our clients and their passengers across North and Latin America.
Role Purpose Statement
Bring authentic Chinese flavors to the skies! The Executive Chef – Design & Development, Chinese Cuisine leads the creation of innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective Chinese menus for global airline partners. This role blends culinary artistry with technical precision—developing detailed recipes, yield specifications, and production processes tailored for large-scale fresh food manufacturing.
You will serve as the culinary expert for Chinese cuisine, ensuring authenticity, consistency, and compliance with strict airline, HACCP, and FDA standards. Through collaboration with internal teams and airline clients, you will design exceptional in-flight dining experiences that meet rigorous specifications and delight passengers worldwide.
Main Accountabilities
Menu Design & Development
- Design, implement, and lead authentic Chinese cuisine menu presentations for assigned airline customers.
- Develop highly detailed recipes, yields, and technical specifications using the company’s proprietary Windows-based applications.
- Drive culinary workflow within the Program Management Team, meeting deadlines, cost targets, and customer expectations.
- Plan, prepare, and execute customer menu presentations; document specification updates and validate yields.
- Conduct ingredient and product research to elevate menu authenticity, variety, and operational efficiency.
- Perform yield studies and cost analyses to ensure accuracy and maintain financial targets.
- Create recipes and specifications that fully meet HACCP, FDA, and internal quality standards.
- Support the rollout of new customer menus and seasonal menu cycles.
- Train Executive Chefs and CSC culinary teams on upcoming menu changes.
- Travel domestically and internationally to support menu presentations, start-ups, and team training.
- Review, audit, and critique menu execution (via photo review or in-house inspections) to ensure continuous improvement.
- Act as the company’s culinary representative during airline customer interactions.
- Integrate Lean Manufacturing and Quality initiatives into food production, packaging, and workflow processes.
Culinary Execution
- Prepare and cook authentic Chinese dishes across regional specialties, including entrées, sides, sauces, and signature items.
- Execute recipes with precision, consistency, and efficiency, ensuring adherence to portioning, seasoning, and presentation standards.
- Plate and package dishes according to airline specifications, ensuring visual quality and flight-ready stability.
- Follow all airline, HACCP, FDA, and internal food safety regulations, including temperature control, labeling, and handling.
- Coordinate cross-functionally to ensure timely production of complete meal components.
- Maintain organization, sanitation, and safety of workstations, equipment, and storage areas.
- Monitor inventory, report shortages, and support waste-reduction and cost-control initiatives.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Organize, staff, and direct culinary activities within the area of responsibility.
- Train, guide, motivate, and develop culinary teams to achieve excellence.
- Plan, execute, and oversee project budgets, initiating corrective actions where needed.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Culinary degree or certification from an accredited culinary school or completion of a recognized culinary apprenticeship/training program.
- Minimum 5 years of professional cooking experience, including authentic regional Chinese cuisine in a high-volume, fine dining, or specialty kitchen.
- Airline catering experience preferred but not required.
- Strong knowledge of regional Chinese culinary techniques, ingredients, and traditional preparation methods.
- Advanced project management and organizational skills.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to meet strict production and presentation timelines.
- Knowledge of HACCP, FDA, and food hygiene regulations.
- Financial acumen to manage food cost, stock control, and waste reduction.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills for customer-facing culinary demonstrations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and the ability to learn internal systems such as CBASE.
- Ability to work in hot and cold environments, stand for extended periods, and lift up to 50 lbs.
- Must have the ability to comprehend, speak, read, and write both English and Chinese to support menu accuracy, ingredient sourcing, and communication with global partners.
LSG Sky Chefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.