Catering Assistant

Catering Assistants supply, prepare, and deliver in-flight meals to aircraft. They also handle the logistics for catering services.

Catering Assistant Job Description

Conduct inspections to verify that flight kitchens meet safety and hygiene standards.

Load food onto aircraft following specific cabin loading plans, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of meals to the correct flights.

Utilise flight catering information systems to collect detailed food order requirements.

Operate designated vehicles for the transportation of food to and from aircraft, adhering to strict safety and handling protocols.

Assemble meal trays and accurately portion meals, carefully examining presentation and dietary requirements.

Monitor and document the temperature of meals to ensure they meet health and safety standards.

Note

Catering Assistants play a very important role in ensuring that the food served on aeroplanes is safe for consumption. Once a flight has been delayed for over six hours, Catering Assistants must discard and replace all the food.

What you should know about Catering Assistant jobs in Singapore

Nature of Work

You must be detail-oriented and familiar with the various procedures and handling of food to ensure that food safety standards are met.

Key Advice

You have to be a good team player and communicate well with your colleagues and passengers.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements
A minimum requirement of a Nitec or any professional certificate in Catering, Hospitality, or a related field.

Basic knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards is essential to ensure the health and safety of airline passengers.

Strong organisational skills are necessary for managing the preparation and loading of meals onto aircraft efficiently.

The ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment, meeting tight deadlines for flight schedules.

Good communication skills for interacting with colleagues and following precise instructions from flight catering plans.

Physical stamina and the capability to work in different temperature conditions, especially in cold storage areas.

Familiarity with operating kitchen equipment and vehicles for transporting food to aircraft.
Possible Pathway

Possible Pathway

Skills you need to pursue a Catering Assistant career in Singapore

Hard Skills

Airfield Driving Permit

Able to drive on airside areas for catering deliveries.

Class 3 Driving Licence

Qualified to drive light vehicles, including catering vans.

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Have an understanding of food safety practices.

Soft Skills

Teamwork

Collaborating effectively to deliver catering services efficiently.

Communication

Clearly conveying information among team and clients.

Problem-Solving

Identifying and addressing issues to ensure seamless service.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Why do Catering Assistants need a Class 3 Driving License?

Other than preparing in-flight meals, Catering Assistants also have to operate vehicles to move and transport these meals around! This is why they are required to have a Class 3 Driving License and an Airfield Driving Permit.
What are the working hours like for Catering Assistants?

Catering Assistants have to work in shifts as they have to accommodate the different flight arrivals and departures. This also means that they will have to work odd hours or late into the night.
What tools or equipment do Catering Assistants use to test and record the temperature of meals?

Catering Assistants use thermometers to test the temperature of the in-flight meals.
Why is it important to test the temperature of meals?

Harmful bacteria will be eliminated only after the food reaches a specific temperature, this is important as the food for flights will be in storage throughout the flight and must be monitored carefully.
How much food do Catering Assistants need to prepare for a flight?

Catering Assistants do a rough estimation based on the total number of people who booked the air tickets and the no-show rate.