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 2019
- 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.
Hello,
My name is Darren Speed. I have just moved to spain nerja , and have many years experience in the pub trade.
Please contact me by email and I can forward my C.V.
Kind Regards
Darren Speed
Hello. Im interested in chef position around Malaga area. I have 10+ years of experience in different cuisines. My work experience starts from pub to fine dining restaurant. At the moment Im working in very high standard restaurant as sous chef serving international cuisines from menu. Im also very talented baker. I can also run restaurant for someone if needed. My CV is very rich in qualifications I have gained in those years. Also I have other qualifications like hgv driving licence and IT diploma. I am very hard working person and planning to move to Spain with my family because I was always in love with spanish weather and cuisine. If anyone is interested or planning something to be open and need help please dont hesitate use my email. rafalbugno@icloud.com
Languages: fluent english, native polish.
Thank You.
Hi all!
I am currently and executive chef for 2 catering companies in Washington DC.
Looking for something in the catering field if possible. Experienced in fast paced environments and excel in customer service.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Korean.
Specialize in Latin American cuisines with a strong Asian cuisine background.
Fell in love with Spain and its people, wanted to be an addition to this wonderful country.
Hi !
I am from Vancouver, Canada I am here in spain for 1 year on a work Visa. I am looking for a kitchen job for the summer, mainly July till September. I have been working in hospitality for 11 years now. I feel I have a strong understanding of the business. I have my CV available as well if you are interested.
Thanks!
Hi All
I am very experienced in the restaurant / bar trade , working in a strong management position for a long time running very high volume restaurants , so I know what busy looks like.
Currently looking at doing something different for the summer , I am looking for a job ideally with accommodation in Spain open to suggestions. I can wait tables , run a bar or work as a chef. Please feel free to drop me a mail on Christopherlennox@outlook.com. Can start very soon. And available all summer. Thanks in advance
Hi,
Currently working in France as a sous chef at a hotel, I am looking for a job in a nice location where I can continue my progress as a chef and feel as a valuable member of a good team. I am excited to find this position available and would love to be considered.
I have over 8 years experience working in kitchens, progressing from catering assistant to now a confident sous chef. I have previously designed successful menus including vegan and vegetarian menus, led kitchen teams and have always worked to my full potential.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Kind Regards,
Joseph Wignall.
Hi I’m a chef from Manchester..
17years experience and good all round skills and attributes..
I am looking for a gateway into work abroad for summer 2019.
Kind regards
Hello Dan
I have a chefs position in my wine bar / restaurant in Menorca if your interested? if you could email all your details to bettybamalams@gmail.com that would be great.
thanks
Michelle
Good morning.i am a chef. I have done graduation in culinary art from manipal university india.i have worked in double tree Hilton Dublin.claridges in delhi. I am 23 years old. I would like to work in spain.please contact me .my phone no is 7042116316. Thanks
Eat café Chapó at Playa Fañabé, Tenerife, is looking for staff:
Barkeeper – waiter / waitress
– You take care of the orders, serve drinks and food, make the bills and you take care of the bar and the supplies.
– You are a social and dynamic person with a focus on the client.
– You have the gift to see work and to jump in where needed.
– You have experience in the catering industry and good references.
– You speak English. Knowledge of other languages is a plus.
We offer you a contract with a correct salary and a pleasant work environment with sea view in a well running business.
Send your cv or a message with more info about yourself, your experiences and language knowledge to an.struelens001@gmail.com (Anywhere Office Management) or via private facebook message.
hi im kaviyarasu from india And im workong as a pastry chef in saudi arabia in french patisserie restaurant.. Now i want to chang my working scenario to another country.. i know baking also.. if u have any vacancies let me know
Hi Kaviyarasu
Do you have any other experience in cooking other than patisserie? What can you cook.
Chandy
Kitchen helper jobs
I am a senior french executive pastry chef with a long career in the international hotel chain
and i am looking for new challenge in Spain open to any proposition,resume upon request
looking forward to hearing from you
Hi everyone
My name is Alex and I’m a French chef 36 years old working at the moment as a freelance in the Netherlands Amsterdam and looking for to work and live either in Ibiza or Mallorca from the season 2019.
I do have a lots of experience as a chef around the world +15 years Australia,France,USA,Netherlands,etc…
I do speak Spanish,English and French.
I’ve also worked for Paul Bocuse for 1 year.
Feel free to contact me.
Best regards
Alex
Hi my name is Andy am a chef in Sweden am looking for work in Spain Alicante am here now and it beautiful I will love to come back to work
Hi there Cristiano from Italy 25 years of age.
Actually travelling around Australia and working as a cook/waiter able to provide different food preparation between salty and sweet and take care of the customer as well. Planning to go to Ibiza for the summer season 2019 (May-August) speak fluent English Italian and good level of Spanish.
Hola. 40yr old hard working, clean living chef looking to relocate from Glasgow to sunnier a sunnier climate to cook nice food for nice people, cycle in the mountains on days off and soak up the cultures of my European neighbours. I’ve been a chef for around 15 years and worked at all levels from staff canteens and bar food to 2 and 3 rosette dining, conference and banqueting and everything in between. Done lots of agency temp work throughout my career so very flexible and adaptible in a kitchen. Worked in south coast of France for the first time this year and absolutely loved the adventure.
CV, certificates and references available on request.
Ideally looking for live-in work in Mallorca or Grand Canaria and available as early as January 2019 should the right offer present itself.
Hi im Pete murray im looking for chef role in spain at any leval i have trained and worked hard on my career and can work in any restarant at any leval i have been head chef in england and spain in low and high end places my last job was at vestry in algorfa alicanti iv trained in bakerys so also talented baker have city and guilds in prof cookery health and hygine silver foundations in kitchen managment and diet and ntrition also have my nie and social so can start straight away if needed . Me and my wife are so looking foward to coming back to spain as my friends and heart are there plz email or contact me for cv docs and references many thanks