This is our guide to working as a cook or a chef in Spain.
The tourist sector is extremely important to the economy of Spain upon which it relies heavily.
The fantastic weather and climate attracts tourists from all over Europe to enjoy the fantastic summer in Spain.
Naturally there are thousands of restaurants to cater for the tourists and a massive need for extra kitchen staff in the summer including cooks and chefs. The great thing is you can be an English-speaking person and get a culinary job as little Spanish (perhaps none) is required.
We invite restaurant owners and employers to list your job vacancies at the bottom of this page – it is free of charge to list your positions for chefs and cooks in Spain.
If you are a chef then please feel free to leave your jobs wanted at the bottom of the page with your contact details so employers can contact you directly.
Do you work as a chef in Spain? Please write in to tell us how much you get paid and earn – this will help jobseekers.
Where Can I Get a Job as a Chef in Spain?
This is one industry in which you can get a job in any Spanish town.
Of course it makes sense to consider the biggest tourist resorts which are generally located on the coast or some of the big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona are also good for finding catering work as a cook or chef.
As a chef you are generally going to be working six days a week, usually for at least eight hours if not more. It would make sense to find a job in a nice location so you can make the most of your day off.
Why not start your search in one of the Spanish islands? For example the Canary Islands have an all year round climate and tourist season.
The busiest Canary islands would be Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria.
The Balearic Islands which are much closer to the mainland include Ibiza and Mallorca.
The Costa del Sol is also a great tourist area with major towns being Marbella, Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Malaga and Torremolinos.
Because of the large expatriate populations attracted to Spain by the sunshine and low cost of living compared to Northern Europe there is a market for many different types of cuisine – not just Spanish. Spain is crying out for Indian chefs and cooks, the large British expat population loves a good curry!
Types of Catering/Chef Jobs 2021
- Assistant cook
- Baker
- Banqueting
- British/English chef
- Butcher
- Chef de partie
- Chinese chef
- Italian chefs
- Commis chef
- Demi chef
- French chef
- German chefs
- Grill chef
- Head or executive chef
- Indian (tandoori) chef
- Japanese chef
- Kitchen porter
- Kitchen assistant
- Kitchen help
- Mexican chef
- Pastry chef
- Sous chef
- Spanish chef
- Sushi chef
- Thai chef
Employers – List your catering vacancies such as cooks, chefs and kitchen staff below for free.
If you want a catering job in Spain, you can also fill in the comments box with your details, qualifications and the types of vacancies and jobs wanted.
Most Popular Places in Spain To Find Work:
Most Popular Work:
- Bar Work in Spain
- Skilled Tradesmen
- Holiday/Travel Reps
- Hotel
- Summer & Student Work
- TEFL/Teach English
Helpful Pages if Moving to Spain:
True Stories of Moving to Spain
I Hate Spain – Shocking Opinions!
We also have our Spanish Job Prospects Section.
I am Soumitra Dutta from india I had a experienced over all 9 years in kitchen.in which 5 years in USA .at present I am working in Sheraton hotel qatar.I am looking a job overthere.
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Jamie Bell, I am 33 years of age from Edinburgh, Scotland.
I am a qualified skilled Chef/Baker with over 12 years’ experience.
My current role as Chef is with British Broadcasting Company (BBC) where I have been since 2016.
My wife and I are hoping to find employment and relocate to Malaga later this year to join my mother and father in law who reside there.
I was wondering if you could keep me in mind should any position within your organisation become available.
Over my career I have gained a wealth of experience working in hotels, restaurants, bakeries, bistros and cafes. I am skilled in preparing a diverse variety of cuisine having worked with many nationalities on and off shore.
I am Silver Star serviced trained having worked in Michelin Start restaurant, Todd English above the Cunard Queen Vitoria Cruise Liner.
I am extremely passionate about food so much so I even love cooking at home. I am often commended on my baking skills and subsequently have been asked to cater for weddings.
I am well versed in preparing a variety of cuisines and in previous positions I have been promoted to Head Chef.
I am a hardworking, team player, I am punctual, well presented and an asset to any team.
I feel I am very dedicated individual and take a pride in my work. I am a pleasure to work with and feel that my experience has made me a very talented Chef.
I would love the chance to bring my skills to your company.
At present my wife and I have flights booked to visit Malaga from the 29th July for 7 days, of course this is depending on the current Covid situation.
I would be more than delighted if you would wish to meet with me.
Sincerely,
Jamie Bell
jaybskater@hotmail.com
Hi
I’m looking for a chef job in Valencia (relocating in February 2022)
I’ve been working around busy kitchens for 12 years.
I’m more then happy to provide more info and CV by email.
Hi!
My name is Suushant, I am looking for a job in the food industry . I am a hotel management graduate with over 20 years of experience in the food industry
Chef / cook wanted in Nerja, Malaga.
Person required with a minimum 3 years experience of working in a British/Med style restaurant. You must have all the required documents to be able to work in Spain legally and live in the Nerja region. (please research Nerja if it is unknown to you). Immediate start and full tie job for the right person. Please send cvs with photo
Hotel Executive Chef with over 25 year in 5* Asian resorts and business city multi outlets hotels.
Profession Summary:
Financial return
· Cost control (achieving operational financial goals by clear understanding of P&L report)
· Restaurant Revenue management system implementation
· Menu engineering analysis, Menu design, new food menus and wine list creation.
· Work closely with Procurement at all levels including composing HOES & FFE
· Budget and Forecast development
· Competitor strategic market research
Our people
· Effective communication, time management and stress control
· Inspire the belief that very good is only the enemy of great
· Employing and developing effective teams on all levels; motivating, inspiring, building, coaching, men-toring
· Managing Team’s performance and tracking with 90-day planning system
· Bring the best out of the employees with diversified techniques inclusive effective recognition system
· Empower senior associates decisions making to acquire ownership
Operations
· Hands on in the operations – leading by example
· Facilities assets management (maintain facilities and equipment in good working order)
· Monitoring/implementation of garbage separation and disposal procedures
· Implementation and monitoring of operational guidelines (SOP)
· Hygiene and food safety management system certified and recognized expert (HCCAP)
· Buffet implementations, themed life style concepts and live stations for mice following on going trends including health trends (certified Nutritionist by Cornell University)
· Planning and executing – driving the projects with pre-opening experience
Pre-opening skills
· 4 successful flagship hotel openings, including the InterContinental Shanghai World Expo 2010, Inter-continental Phu Quoc, Vietnam, Roppngi hill Hyatt, Tokyo, Japan, Dream Oceanami, Vung Tao, Vietnam.
· Design reviewing lay-outs/drawings (blue prints) for maximize efficiency within the hotel natural flow and work practice.
· Pre-opening trainings set for both kitchen and service
Looking opportunities in Canarie Hotel to come back in Europe
Lost fluency in Spanish as not used for may years but easy to pick it back as I was a fluent Spanish speaker
Mancini.rm@gmail.com
I am from India looking for assistant chef job in indian cuisine. I have 2 year experience. And I can work hard and want to work there.
Hey
I’m moving to Malaga at end of April 2021, I’m over 10 years experienced chef, I have started in London in 2007 and then was traveling around Europe to get more and more experience, I was working in London, Dublin, Brussels, and now I live Manchester. I have been trained at ‘Claridges’ hotel in London as 17 years old boy, and that’s how all my cooking journey started, also I was working for Simon Rogan for almost 5 years, and have completed the stage in 2* ‘Loinclume’ restaurant. I have really nice background. I’m a hard worker, looking for more and more to learn! Thanks
007479687948
Hey Sebastian,
I have a few questions for you if you have the time to talk.
I’m also a chef/pastry chef of 9 years living in Leeds but looking to relocate to Malaga in september/october.
i would like to know what your experience has been so far and how easy/difficult you have found it to find work.
if you have the time would you be able to message me on +447506721641
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
English qualified Chef living in Calahonda looking for work prefer part time but would consider more hours. Hold advanced food hygiene not really looking for head chef role more sous / chef de partie. Hard working and creative and legally allowed to work in Spain.
Hi I am a head chef with 8 years experience and 16 years experience in hospitality industry,at the moment we live in Scotland from 11 years ago and we look to relocate in Spain .Also my wife have a experience as a beautician and reception .
004407542424660 Gabriel
Professional chef couple with over 30 years combined experience in catering/hospitality. We are based in Sitges South of Barcelona, although are willing to travel and are looking for work preferably together. For any other info please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 00447719612222 or 610831228
Dear sir/madam,
I am Bhaskar kadadekar from India
I have 20 years experience in catering industry
Presently I am working as a head chef at Lagos Nigeria
I am handling 10500 meals per day
Thank u
I’m mercy from Phillipines, currently working here in Madrid as a family cook, I finished pastry course in aranda school madrid. I’m searching for a job as a assistant pastry.
Thank you
Looking for cheffing work in Spain have my level 3 diploma. Have been working in kitchens for 20 years
Looking for chef job in Spain I have complete my BBA (Hon’s) in Hospitality Management in 2012 after getting passed I started working as a chef I have 7 years of work experience in kitchen as chef.
im from Philippines I’m sushi chef and teppanyaki chef too, that cook’s live in front of the guests. I’m here now in barcelona, spain.
Hi I am looking for Indian Tandoor Chef job in Spain and currently working in Sweden so I hope somewhere I will get a chance to work in Spain,
Thanks
Looking for chef job in Spain or Ibiza. Mainly by the coast. I am fully qualified and have over 16 years experience. Also preferred live in or close accommodation