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
- 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.
My family is looking for a personal cook for our villa during the weeks of July 2nd and July 9th. My wife is very interested in working with the cook to learn traditional Spanish / European dishes along with our grand daughter while having a meal or two prepared daily. If the experience is right, there may be an opportunity for an extension through the summer into August.
Hi,
My name isAlexandre Gresset, 38years old French, leaving in London for the past 12 year as head pastry and bakery chef in different companies, fine dining ( Michelin stars), 5 stars hotel, manufacturing as NPD chef and currently in French artisanal bakery.
My wife, daughter and I are looking to relocate to Tenerife.
If interested, please send me an email and I will reply with an updated CV.
Best regards,
Alex
alexandregresset@yahoo.fr
Hi! Looking for a cdp or jr sous possitions in alicante region. 8yr experience including hotels, fine dinening restaurants, ** michelin restaurant as a cdp. I don’t speak Spanish for the moment but learning, fluent in english, Russian, Lithuanian and proficiant in French. Any info is usefull thanks in advance
Hi! How I can find a job in Gran Canaria? Wher? I want job in the hotel in Gran Canaria . Thank you very mutch. I m waiting answer.
Hello my name is Damian.
I have been working as a chef for the last 12 years from commie to head. I am punctual, reliable and always work the best of my ability.
I am looking to relocate to gran canaria as love the weather and atmosphere of the island.
I speak fluent English and Spanish.
Thank you.
Regards.
Hi,
My name is Farooque, I am 45 years old Bangladeshi citizen. Currently working in a very busy restaurant as a chef in Bangladesh ( Indian & Bangladeshi cuisine). I used to work four years as a tandoori & curry chef in the UK. During that time i have successfully done FOOD SAFETY IN CATERING course from Chartered Institute of Environmental Health UK. I”m also worked in a pizza,kebab & burger shop in Birkenhead,UK.
Now i’m very interested to work in Spain. If any person want to hire me plz contact via my e-mail address.
Also contact me on 0088-01969452400.
Maureen Hill April 2. 2018 Hi my husband and my self are looking for work in cost del silencl or Tenerife cleaning apartment or kitchen help my husband is a handy man
I am a 26 year old chef with 6 years experience up to rosette level fine dining. I am currently looking for work around Marbella/Malaga and available to start immediately. If you’re looking for a passionate, reliable and hard working chef please get in touch and I would be more than happy to send a CV and references.
Thanks in advance,
Ross Caithness
Hello
I have just moved to Malaga 2 weeks ago and inquiring about chef vacancies
I have 13 years experience as a Chef in the Royal Navy cooking for sizes 4 upto 1200
I also have experience as stock room and catering supervisor and have also managed small teams
Hi I’m a zoe tozer 27 year old chef with 1o years expiriece in a number of catering environment and working with all different cusines. Im looking to take my career to the next level and would to learn more and travel as I do.
Hi, my name is Dessislava.I’m pastry chef I wont to working in a hotel as a patisseries. I’ve been working on river cruise ships, 4 and 5 star Hilton, Novotel, Sol Melia. The winter season is working in Austria.I wond to work in 4 or 5 star hotels in Ibiza.
Hi, my name is Dessislava. I wont to working in a hotel as a patisseries. I’ve been working on river cruise ships, 4 and 5 star Hilton, Novotel, Sol Melia. The winter season is working in Austria.I wond to work in 4 or 5 star hotels in Ibiza.
Hi. I moving to Benidorm in August or September 2018 and I need a job part or full time, I have been chef in school (500 kids) and have clean the house but I can do everything. I am 51 years old.
Cook needed for busy restaurant in Nerja. No accomadation given. Must have experience working in busy environment and have good communications skills. please send cvs to bakersbar@hotmail.com
Hi we are a married couple I’m 50 and my wife 40
We are looking for work as cleaning apartments etc and key holding
My wife is a nursery manager so would do child minding babysitting
Iv been a qualified chef in the raf also last 15 years worked and supurvised on site general labour skills mostly finishing off apartments
We are both hard workers and ready to move out when your ready
Hi. I am an ex Royal Air Force chef ,worked for THF,Berni Inns and independent restaurants. I’ve held a bar licence and also done security work. My wife and I are looking to move to Lanzarote,as she is capable of bar work ,customer service and front of house work. We have no children, all have left the nest, so just the two of us. I love good old fashioned cooking and don’t mind in the slightest early starts. Anywhere in Lanzarote would be out of this world and if accommodation is available too that would be fantastic. We both only speak English but very willing to learn the local dialects in time.
Chef looking to work across Spain ideally, total flexible and 30 years experience within hotels and pubs as head chef, I’m a great communicator, manager and creative chef, with very high standards, and understand food costs and strict hygiene policies, to keep the kitchen clean & safe, based in Warrington UK, and freelance chef at this moment
ianrobbo1970@hotmail.co.uk