Daniel Watson
Professional4 active roles

@chef-deano

Daniel Watson

Freelance Chef

Freelance chef and application developer with experience across Swiss hospitality, relief work, and kitchen leadership.

Chef de PartieSous ChefHead ChefRelief Chef
User profile
7
Roles
11 yrs
Career span
3
Credentials

Profile

About

Freelance chef with experience as Chef de Partie, Sous Chef, Head Chef, and relief agent in Switzerland and the UK. Background includes fine dining, hotels, high-volume service, and seasonal work, alongside building digital tools for the hospitality industry.

Selected work

Project focus

Current project

Misebox

Ongoing

Developing Misebox, a digital platform revolutionizing chef recruitment. Responsibilities include designing and coding the web app, integrating Firebase for real-time data, refining UX/UI, and networking with industry professionals to enhance functionality. Focused on streamlining hiring and career growth for chefs.

Contribution
Application Developer, Cook
Timeline
2022 — Present

Now

Current chapter

3 active

Freelancer

Feb 2026 — Present

Active freelance chef working across independent kitchens and hospitality venues while building long-term relationships within the industry. Taking on short-term and relief roles focused on service support, mise en place, and maintaining kitchen standards during busy periods. Experience spans à la carte service, small teams, and adaptive roles requiring fast integration and reliability.

Freelance Chef / Hospitality Agent

Aug 2024 — Present

Providing flexible kitchen support via Adia for hospitality venues across Switzerland, including restaurants, hotels, and seasonal operations. Assignments range from service support to senior kitchen roles, requiring fast integration into existing teams, strong mise en place discipline, and reliability during peak periods. Regularly adapting to different kitchen structures, menus, and service styles while maintaining food safety and quality standards.

Freelance Chef / Hospitality Agent

Feb 2019 — Present

Working through Coople as a freelance chef across Switzerland, supporting hotels, restaurants, events, and catering operations on short- and medium-term assignments. Roles include Chef de Partie, Sous Chef, and relief positions, often in high-pressure environments requiring rapid onboarding, adaptability to different kitchen systems, and immediate contribution to service. Experienced in buffet, à la carte, and event service, collaborating with diverse teams and maintaining consistent standards across venues

Career

Career history

3 roles

  1. Aushilfe

    Nov 2024 — Oct 2025

    Supporting the kitchen during a busy winter season, managing both buffet and à la carte service while ensuring high standards for fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Provided service in Swiss German and French, catering to a diverse customer base in a high-demand Swiss resort setting.

  2. Lead Cook

    Apr 2023 — Sep 2023

    Lead Cook at Restaurant Bären As the lead cook at a local restaurant, I was responsible for managing stock and supplies, preparing both the à la carte and table d'hôte menus, and creating daily and weekly specials. I played a key role in maintaining kitchen operations and ensuring consistent quality. Even after leaving the position, I regularly returned to support the team during busy periods or when staffing was limited.

  3. Operator

    May 2015 — May 2017

    Ran day-to-day kitchen operations in a large, high-volume pub, taking full responsibility for service, food quality, and team coordination. Cooked across all sections while managing ordering, stock control, rotas, and kitchen standards. Delivered consistent, fast service during peak periods and events, maintaining quality under pressure and keeping the kitchen running smoothly.

Beyond the headline

Additional expertise

Application Developer

Active
Sep 2022 — Present

Leading the development of a culinary and hospitality platform, focusing on chef recruitment, kitchen management, and industry networking. Overseeing app design, business strategy, and user experience, while integrating tools for job postings, supplier connections, and operational efficiency in professional kitchens.

Community

Volunteering

Marraude Mentality

Cooking

2024 — 2024

Cooking for the homeless in Marseille, France. Responsibilities included preparing hundreds of sandwiches daily, coordinating meal distribution, and serving food in the evenings. Ensured efficient food preparation, maintained hygiene standards, and collaborated with volunteers to support those in need.