Just like Filipinos, the Taiwanese love to eat! Many of them also prefer dining out, so the food and beverage industry here is booming! If you’re a seasoned cook who’d like to work abroad, consider applying for a job as a cook in Taiwan.
Taiwanese cuisine is diverse, with hotels and restaurants serving local as well as international dishes. With a thriving tourism sector and the people’s love for food, there is a steady demand for skilled cooks who can prepare a variety of dishes and manage day-to-day operations.
Guide to Applying for Work as a Cook in Taiwan
Do you think you have what it takes to be a successful cook in Taiwan? Read on to learn more about the qualifications and requirements for the job! We’ll also be discussing the salary and benefits of those in the food and beverage industry.
Job Description
Before anything else, let’s discuss the typical job description of a cook. He/She is responsible for:
- Preparing and cooking food, including Taiwanese and international cuisines;
- Managing inventories and stocks of supplies and ingredients;
- Maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen and workplace;
- Coordinating with management and staff in planning and developing a daily menu;
- Addressing special food requests and food allergy considerations;
- Training and supervising kitchen staff, making sure that they adhere to proper cooking techniques; and
- Continuously learning about the latest food trends and improving cooking techniques.
Salary and Benefits
Generally, the salary of cooks in Taiwan range between PHP 35,000 and PHP 45,000 per month. Of course, this would depend mainly on the cook’s skills, experience, and the hiring company, be it a hotel, restaurant, a private home, or other food-related businesses.
Other than a monthly salary, cooks are also entitled to benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, paid leave, housing allowance, transportation allowance, and meal allowance.
Qualifications
A person who intends to apply as a cook in Taiwan must:
- Be at least 21 years old;
- Have been trained and certified in a credible institution;
- Have at least 2 years of professional experience as a cook in a hotel or restaurant setting (experience in Taiwanese cuisine is a plus);
- Be able to communicate in English (basic knowledge of Mandarin is a plus);
- Be able to work in a fast-paced, customer-oriented environment; and
- Be able to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Requirements
To apply as cook in Taiwan, be sure to prepare the following documents:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure);
- Job Contract signed by the employer and employee;
- Work Visa issued by the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO);
- Medical Certificate (after health exam in an accredited clinic);
- Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC);
- Certificate from Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS);
- Certificate from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) (if applicable);
- Clearance from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); and
- Proof of active memberships with Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and Social Security System (SSS).
Additionally, recruitment agencies and employers may ask for other documents, such as:
- Valid government-issued IDs (e.g. National ID, Voter’s ID, Pag-IBIG ID, TIN ID, etc.);
- Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
- PSA Marriage Certificate (if married); and
- School Diploma (High School and/or College).
Procedure
Just like other overseas jobs, applying as a cook in Taiwan involves finding a job and recruitment agency, preparing documents, attending interviews, and getting a work permit/visa.
Finding a Job and Recruitment Agency
You can usually find job vacancies posted on websites and social media accounts of recruitment agencies. Of course, don’t forget to check and verify the validity of the agency! There are many scams targeting job applicants these days, so it’s important that you deal only with legitimate and accredited agencies.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can also ask relatives and friends who have worked abroad for recommendations on agencies.
Preparing Essential Documents
Based on the list given earlier, you can start preparing documents like your passport, school diploma, training certificates, government IDs, and so on. These will be submitted to the recruitment agency, which will forward them to prospective employers in Taiwan.
Attending Job Interviews
Job interviews are an important part of the hiring process. Usually, you may undergo an initial interview at the recruitment agency, before facing subsequent interviews with the employer. Make sure that you are well prepared for these events by dressing up properly and rehearsing answers to possible questions.
When you get hired for the job, you’ll be asked to sign an employment contract. Don’t forget to read it carefully and ask for clarifications. This document will eventually be authenticated by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the Philippines’ representative office in Taiwan.
Getting a Work Permit and Visa
At this stage, your employer will be the one to acquire a work permit on your behalf. In Taiwan, you will also undergo a medical examination as part of the working visa requirements. Furthermore, you will apply to get an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC), which is issued to all foreigners who are residing and working in Taiwan.
Tips and Reminders
Now that you know more about the requirements and processes involved, have you thought about what it’s really like to live in Taiwan? Here are some tips to help you have a smooth transition:
- Learn about local customs and practices. The Taiwanese value punctuality, respect for hierarchy, diligence, and other positive traits. Read this do’s and don’ts guide for more details.
- Develop good working relationships. In the hotel and restaurant industry, you’ll be working with a team of staff and supervisors. Strive to be a team player at all times; be polite and cooperative!
- Be open to learning new things. Take this opportunity to learn more about Taiwanese and international cuisines. This way, you can improve your personal knowledge and skills as a cook!
- Learn the local language. You don’t have to be fluent in Mandarin, but learning basic greetings and phrases is a good idea. This way, you can communicate better with customers and co-workers.
Thanks to a flourishing tourism industry, along with the people’s preference for dining out, there’s a continuous demand for skilled cooks in Taiwan. If you’re an experienced cook who is planning to work abroad, now’s your sign! Go ahead and apply!
Furthermore, to help you prepare for overseas jobs, here’s a list of TESDA courses that can help you land jobs in Taiwan!