Career guide · Hospitality

Chef.

Also known as Cook, Sous chef, Chef de partie

Chefs plan menus, prepare and cook food, and run kitchen sections in restaurants, hotels and catering operations across Ireland, working to food-safety and quality standards.

What this role involves

Chefs prepare and cook food and help run the kitchen in restaurants, hotels, gastropubs and catering operations across Ireland. Depending on level, duties include developing and costing menus, preparing ingredients, cooking dishes to a consistent standard, managing a kitchen section, and maintaining strict food-safety and hygiene practices under HACCP. Roles range from commis and chef de partie through to sous chef and head chef. The hospitality sector has ongoing demand for skilled kitchen staff, particularly outside peak tourist areas.

When this role fits

Likely a fit when

  • you prepare and cook food to a professional standard
  • you can run a kitchen section under pressure

Likely not a fit when

  • your role is front-of-house or general hospitality service
  • you have only home-cooking experience

Official occupation classification

Roles like this usually map to the following SOC 2010 occupation code, which Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment uses on its occupation lists.

Employment permit route signal

Possible but conditional

This is an occupation-level signal only. The exact duties, salary, qualifications, employer and permit route decide the outcome.

  • The Ineligible list entry contains an exception; the specific duties and exception must be checked rather than treating the broad code as decisive.
Check an occupation permit signal Explore employment permits

This is an occupation-level signal only. It is not a determination of eligibility, sponsorship, or permit approval.

Typical skills and qualifications

Certifications

  • HACCP food safety

Technical skills

  • Commercial cookery

Transferable skills

  • Teamwork
  • Time management

Find licensed recruitment agencies

IrishTalents does not select or submit candidates and is not a licensed employment agency. The agency listings below reflect the wording found on agency websites only — not vacancies, sponsorship, or suitability.

Before you rely on a permit pathway

Depending on the exact duties, salary and employer, some roles in this area may be considered under Ireland's General Employment Permit or Critical Skills Employment Permit routes, while others may fall on the ineligible list. This is general information only, not immigration advice, and official eligibility depends on the current occupation lists and your individual circumstances.

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About this guide

IrishTalents provides this information for general guidance only. IrishTalents is not a licensed employment agency and does not select, submit, or place candidates. This page does not determine eligibility, sponsorship, or agency suitability.

Source: IrishTalents editorial content, aligned to the UK SOC 2010 occupation classification used by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.