WELCOME

SPECIALTY COOKS FROM INDIA

We would be pleased to advise you on the search for an Indian specialty chef and take care of the formalities.

RISING DEMAND

FOR SPECIALTY CHEFS IN GERMANY

International culinary delicacies are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Many guests ask for dishes that are characteristic of the country and whose quality corresponds to the local cuisine of the country. However, it is not easy to offer such quality. Often the special knowledge and secret ingredients are missing, to prepare the respective country food perfectly. In order to be able to offer a high quality and a typical local cuisine, restaurants can employ so-called specialty chefs. Although it is theoretically possible to work in Germany as an Indian specialty chef, the real implementation is not quite easy.

The way to work as a specialty chef in Germany is often difficult for both the applicant and the employer. Once this milestone has been set, the profession of a specialty chef is a true enrichment for both sides. The guests benefit from the chef's typical local knowledge and the specialty chef can gain new experience in Germany. Specialty chefs are also a big gain for restaurants. Because no other cook can serve a country's specialties so well. By hiring a specialty chef, your restaurant will also stand out from other restaurants. The specialty chef can prepare particular and local dishes that are not available in any other restaurant.

So that you don't despair when looking for a specialty chef, we are happy to assist you with this step.

01.

NO DOUBT - ONLY THE BEST

SPECIALTY COOK

We are happy to take over the search for you, to find a qualified and reliable specialty chef.

02.

LEGISLATION

WE TAKE CARE

We are at your disposal for all legal questions and are also supportive in dealing with the authorities.

03.

CONTACT

THE DIRECT CONTACT

If you are interested in an Indian specialty chef please fill in our contact form via “contact”.

Legal basis

IN GERMANY

In general, specialty chefs are allowed to work in Germany for one year and then for a further three years. However, in order to work as an Indian specialty chef in Germany, a visa must first be applied for. The first problems can already arise here. For the visa procedure different documents are needed. These include the menu of the restaurant, the company description, the employment contract, the curriculum vitae, certificates and other proofs of qualification. Not until all these documents are available the visa procedure can continue. An Indian specialty chef must also present an examination certificate for a cooking and hygiene test. This test consists of both a practical and a theoretical part. The test may only be taken at a local educational institution that has been approved by the German Federal Employment Agency. The Indian applicant must apply for the visa at the responsible German mission abroad in India.

The legal basis in Germany for a specialty chef The regulation of a residence permit for specialty chefs is laid down in the law. How long a specialty chef is allowed to stay in Germany is also specified by legal regulations. Section 8 (2) regulates the granting of a residence permit for the purpose of employment, which applies to foreign nationals from third countries. Here the granting of a residence permit for citizens who are not members of the European Union is regulated. As India is not a member of the European Union, Section 8 (2) applies to Indian specialty chefs. The residence of an Indian citizen for the purpose of carrying out a professional activity as a specialty chef is regulated in Section 11 II of the Employment Regulation. The stay is subject to certain conditions and provisions. Paragraph 11 II of the Employment Regulation specifies that a specialty cook may stay in Germany for a maximum of four years. However, the residence permit for specialty chefs is initially only valid for one year.

After this initial approval, the residence permit for specialty chefs can be extended for a further three years. The first year gives the authority a controlling opportunity. During the first year, the circumstances under which the Indian specialty chef works can be monitored. In order for the Indian specialty chef to be granted a residence permit, not only general but also industry-specific requirements must be met. In the same way, the employer must meet all these requirements. Only if this is the case an Indian specialty chef will be given a period of residence to work as a specialty chef in Germany. The same rights and obligations apply to specialty chefs, than to German employees. This obligation includes, among other things, the obligation to register for social insurance immediately after taking up employment. If the inspections by the authorities are positive, it is possible to extend the period of employment as a specialty chef after this year. employment. If the inspections by the authorities are positive, it is possible to extend the period of employment as a specialty chef after this year.

FURTHER LEGAL INFORMATION

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE FIRST YEAR?

If a residence permit for specialty chefs has been issued, an extension is possible after the first year. However, the extension can only take place for the maximum period of four years prescribed by law. This means that according to Section 8 I of the Residence Act, the period of four years cannot be exceeded. The basis for the extension is determined by the regulations which were already decisive for the granting of the residence permit for special cooks for the first year. This means that both general and industry-specific requirements must be met by the specialty chef and the employer.

It is important to consider that failure to comply may result in the extension being refused. Such a failure can occur, for example, on the part of the employee. This is the case, for instance, if the employee fails to inform the competent authority of a change of job. This is particularly important because an Indian specialty chef has only been granted a residence permit to work as a specialty chef for the job specified in the document. Therefore, the residence permit is only valid as long as the specialty chef works in this restaurant. As soon as the job is changed, the residence permit for specialty chefs expires. This is important to note.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE FOUR YEARS?

If the four years laid down in the law have expired, the period of stay of an Indian specialty chef cannot be extended. The specialty chef must now leave Germany first and may not continue to work here. The period of four years cannot be exceeded. However, according to Section 11 III of the Employment Ordinance, it is possible that a new residence permit may be issued after three years. The three-year period begins after the expiry of the previous residence title. The cook must return to his home country during these three years. There he should now refresh and improve his specific knowledge and skills before being allowed to work as a specialty chef in Germany again.

CAN ONE BYPASS THE LIMITATION?

No. The maximum period of four years cannot be circumvented. Although this has been tried in the past, the case law of the courts has consistently rejected it. The limitation cannot be circumvented by hiring the specialty chef as managing director or executive. In order to work as an executive employee or in another leading position, a proof of qualification must be provided.

THE REQUIREMENTS

REQUIREMENTS FOR COOK AND EMPLOYERS

What are the requirements for an Indian specialty chef?

In order for the applicant to be permitted to work as a specialty chef in Germany at all, a number of criteria must be met. One requirement is that the specialty chef must be a citizen of the country according to the country to which the restaurant is orientated. An Indian applicant may therefore only work as a specialty chef in a restaurant serving Indian cuisine if he or she possesses Indian nationality. In addition to possession of the respective citizenship, there is also the requirement that the applicant has completed professional training as a cook. The cook training must have lasted at least two years. A proven two-year period of work as a cook in the country of origin is also required in order to be allowed to work as a specialty chef.

If it is not possible to complete a two-year cooking education in the country of origin, this can be replaced by at least six years of work experience. This work experience must take place in the respective country and the national kitchen. The applicant must be able to prove this work experience. Even if all these requirements are fulfilled by the applicant, he may not yet work as a specialty chef in Germany. He must also have sufficient knowledge of English and German and be able to prove this.

How is the specialty chef paid?

The salary that the specialty chef receives should correspond to that of a Chef de Partie or a single
chef. The gross salary that the specialty chef receives must be stated in his employment contract.

The demands on the employer and the restaurant.

But it is not only the employee who has to meet certain requirements. The employer and his restaurant also have to meet certain criteria in order to hire an Indian specialty chef. It is particularly important that the restaurant is one of the upper classes that offers special dishes typical of the country. However, not only the menu, but also the entire ambience and concept of the restaurant, including the restaurant name, must be designed in a way that is typical of the country. No dishes from different countries may be offered in the restaurant. In addition, it must not be a restaurant that only offers food from a certain region. Self-chosen combinations from different countries or regions are also not permitted. A specialty restaurant therefore is a restaurant in which country-specific dishes are traditionally prepared according to the recipes of the country.

This does not include snacks, delivery services or catering companies. It is also important to note that no more than two specialty chefs may work in such a restaurant. However, there are rarely exceptional cases in which another specialty chef may be employed. In such a case, however, credible proof must be presented that there is an urgent need for another specialty chef. This proof can, for example, be provided by the tax consultant's documents. These documents are considered credible evidence if, for example, a significant increase in turnover can be proved.

What does the employer have to do to hire a specialty chef?

For an Indian specialty chef to be able to work in Germany, the restaurant owner must first close an employment contract with the Indian chef. The Indian applicant must then register with the German mission abroad in his home country with this employment contract and the documents mentioned above. Here he can apply for an entry visa. The German mission abroad will then forward the candidate's application documents to the German Federal Employment Agency. The agency now checks the admission requirements for a residence permit for specialist cooks.

WHAT IS CHECKED BY THE FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCY?

The Federal Employment Agency first carries out the so-called priority check. This means that the Federal Employment Agency first checks whether there are already suitable cooks on the labor market who have preferential rights and are available. If this is the case, these cooks are preferred to the Indian applicant. Only if this is not the case a specialty chef may be employed. In addition, the working conditions in the restaurant are closely monitored. In this way, the Federal Employment Agency wants to prevent the Indian employee from having to work under unfavorable working conditions. The working conditions should be the same for the Indian specialty chef as for a domestic employee. Furthermore, the Federal Employment Agency checks how many employees already work in the restaurant. Of course, the quality of the restaurant is also checked.

The combination of all these factors ultimately determines whether the Federal Employment Agency makes a positive decision. If this is the case, the Federal Employment Agency forwards its decision to the German representation abroad in India. There are no costs for the registration process of the Federal Employment Agency. In order to guarantee the smoothest possible process, the applicant should apply for a visa as early as possible. It should always be noted that the duration of the approval procedure for a residence permit for specialty chefs usually lasts several months. If the employee receives a residence permit and has entered Germany, he or she must first register with the local registration authority in his or her place of residence.

DELICIOUS DISHES

FOOD GALLERY

> 10

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

> 100

RESTAURANTS SUPPLIED

> 200

SPECIALTY COOKS ENGAGED

> 100000

COOKED DISHES