Job Ref: DAK1257
Branch: Dakota Manchester Airport
Location: Dakota Manchester Airport, Manchester
Salary/Benefits: Earnings are up to £17.06 per hour inclusive of anticipated tronc payments.
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Shift pattern: Fully flexible shifts, working any 4 or 5 days out of 7
Hours per week: The role carries a permanent contract with 45 hours per week
Posted date: 19/06/2026
Closing date: 29/08/2026
Dakota Manchester Airport are seeking a creative Chef and hard-working individuals to join our Kitchen Team in the role of Junior Sous Chef.
PRIMARY ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Be confident in working a busy service and display a willingness to support across different areas of the Kitchen.
- Supporting the Head and Sous Chef in running aspects of the Kitchen including leading a smooth and busy service.
Prepare and cook dishes according to the specification as set out by the Head Chef. This pertains to all menus including a la carte, room service, breakfast, bar food, bar snacks, events, and guest amenities.
Be committed to working wholeheartedly as part of the team, effectively and positively communicating with all members of the kitchen and front of house team.
Have a passion and display a willingness to train junior Chefs and apprentices in an open working environment of ongoing improvement.
Strictly adhere to Health Safety and Food Hygiene legislationfollowing best practice at all times and leading the team to do so consistently. Complete due diligence documentation to maintain our high food audit scores.
Display a willingness to continuously learn and improve your skills as a professional Chef.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
The successful applicant will have/be:
WHAT WE OFFER
In addition to being part of a culture infused with positivity and opportunity for ongoing development, tangible benefits you could enjoy when you join our team include:
FINANCIAL
- Special discounts on stays and dining at any Dakota
- Bonuses to recommend a friend to join our team and every time you are mentioned on Trip Advisor
- Additional holiday day on the first anniversary of your employment
- Meals on duty and uniforming
WELLBEING
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program which includes free private mental health support and counselling sessions, video GP consultations and private prescription services, as well as access to daily rewards to be cashed out for shopping vouchers
- Support from our inhouse Mental Health Champions
- Family-friendly flexible working options
- Participation in meaningful initiatives such as Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning and the Walk for Wellbeing, Supporting causes that matter while connecting with colleagues
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
- Accredited, certified compliance training given on employment
- Access to a suite of external, certified resources via our Learning Management System
- Supportive continuous professional development culture with an annual appraisal and objectives, or a Personal Development Plan
- Opportunities to undertake both internal and external training courses, including potential for in-house Apprenticeships
Full terms on our benefits can be found in our Handbook.
ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS
Dakota is a growing UK-based lifestyle brand, known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie Grills and upscale cocktail Bars. Dakota’s story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle with more in our pipeline.
Dakota is synonymous for delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard-working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterer’s Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last five years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the 2024 Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK, as well as being awarded the Spotlight Award for Best Places to Work for LGBTQIA+ employees.
As recent winners of The Cateys ‘People Team of the Year’, we have award-winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. As a result, over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for four consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award awarded by The Caterer to the ‘Top 30 under 30’ in the industry, demonstrating our success in developing talent.
APPLY
Please send us your up to date CV.
ABOUT DAKOTA MANCHESTER AIRPORT
We’re preparing to open our largest hotel yet, Dakota Manchester Airport, launching in early summer 2026. This brand-new property will feature our signature Bar Grill and deliver the exceptional guest experience Dakota is known for.
ABOUT DAKOTA HOTELS
Dakota is a growing UK-based lifestyle brand, known for our stylish hotels, bustling brasserie Grills and upscale cocktail Bars. Dakota’s story started with two boutique hotels on the outskirts of Edinburgh, in South Queensferry, and Glasgow, in Eurocentral. We have now expanded into prime city centre locations in Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, and Newcastle. With our newest hotel opening at Manchester Airport with more in our pipeline.
Dakota is synonymous for delivering attentive and genuine guest service. We attract hard-working individuals who are passionate about working to the highest standards and have been voted within The Caterer’s Top 15 Best Employers in Hospitality for the last six years in a row. We were also featured within the Top 10 employers in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK for the last three years running.
As winners of The Cateys ‘People Team of the Year’, we have award-winning internal training programmes within Dakota Academy fostering continuous development and ongoing training. As a result, over 75% of our leaders have been promoted internally and, for five consecutive years, a member of our team has won a prestigious Acorn Award awarded by The Caterer to the ‘Top 30 under 30’ in the industry, demonstrating our success in developing talent.
