With over 50 years’ experience in the travel market, we have a presence in 35 countries and more than 550 brands in our portfolio. We have the capability to deliver world-class food and beverage outlet programmes based on the highest levels of customer service, quality of food and environment.

Our Mission & Ambition

• To give our customers an experience that exceeds their expectations and that clients know cannot be matched.
• To be recognised as the leading Food & Beverage operator in travel locations worldwide

Our Values are

• We are one team
• We are results focused
• We all make a difference
• We are bold
• We celebrate success

We have an in-depth understanding of our diverse customer base; our insights into food and beverage trends mean we have created an extensive range of brands and concepts that we can run in operationally demanding, high-volume travel locations.

As SSP Ireland Head of Culinary for Dublin Airport, you will lead and inspire our enthusiastic Back of House teams to create high quality dishes throughout our restaurants and bars. You will be the leader of the food operation across the airport and will work closely with the Head of Operations, Operations Manager, Head of Food & Beverage Development, and all Senior Chefs.

You will direct all kitchen activities and lead a high performing team across multiple outlets. You will strive to deliver a high-quality food experience, ensuring that the product we offer is relevant and compelling to our customer.

You will work closely with our clients at the daa (Dublin Airport Authority), ensuring that their requests and expectations are met and exceeded.

• Work with the lead chefs to ensure that all SSP and local authority standards of cleanliness, hygiene and food safety are maintained in all kitchens across the airport at all times
• Ensure the quality of food, in terms of taste & presentation, meets the high standards of consistency expected by SSP, Dublin Airport, external brand partners and customers.
• Communicate and train in any new recipes, strategies, and food policies to all lead chefs.
• Make sure recipe’ how to cards’ (for both menu dishes and prep) are up to date and followed, to include training where necessary.
• Ensure costs (ingredients, suppliers and portion size) are consistent across each site to maximise GP margins without compromising quality.
• Oversee menu training within each site alongside the lead chefs.
• Work closely with the New Product Development team to research, create and develop new recipes to an agreed brief
• Assist lead chefs with staff training and health & safety tasks and procedures.
• Make sure chefs are aware of the allergens for the dishes via training/allergen table. Work with the central recipe and data teams to ensure these are always up to date
• Assist with hiring and interview process for key Back of House staff
• Review all daily sales data with the senior team and work towards solutions to improve performance
• Review supplier performance on a weekly basis and form strong and mutually beneficial relationships with new and existing suppliers.
• Assist the management team to organise transportation and logistics for the safe delivery of fresh food product around Dublin Airport

Key Working Relationships

• General Manager
• Head of Operations
• New Product Development Team
• SSP Suppliers
• Unit Head Chefs and Kitchen Teams

• Most importantly – a genuine passion for Food and People!
• Exceptional organisation skills and the ability to strategize and deliver complex projects
• A thorough understanding of the latest food and drink market trends
• Creativity and innovative thinking
• Significant experience of menu development, costings and creating recipes that can be followed in a busy kitchen environment
• A qualified chef with suitable culinary experience and an extensive knowledge of kitchen workflow
• Results driven, organised, a self-starter; able to lead projects and coordinate with others to ensure deadlines and quality expectations are met
• A keen eye for detail and quality – in both food presentation and in the administration required to develop and launch products
• Strong communication skills with the ability to mentor and inspire all colleagues and team members as well as engage multiple stakeholders including SSP, Client daa ( Dublin Airport Authority) external influencers and celebrities (on occasion!)