Cooking Instructions - Spring Fixed Term Contract April 2026 | Leatherhead Food Research

Sagentia Defence; Tattenham Corner; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading food research organization based in Tattenham Corner is seeking a passionate individual for a 12-week fixed-term contract. This role focuses on developing and verifying cooking instructions to ensure food safety and quality for various clients. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in Food Science, excellent analytical skills, and enthusiasm for hands-on work. A competitive salary and benefits package is offered. This opportunity is perfect for someone eager to contribute to the food industry.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Qualifications

• Pursue a career in the food industry.
• Strong background in Food Science or related disciplines.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and verify cooking instructions for food products.
• Conduct time and temperature tests and quality assessments.
• Collaborate with the team to meet deadlines.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Proficiency in MS Office Suite

Passion for cooking

Education

Academic background in Food Science or a related discipline

Strong GCSE and A-level qualifications

Job description

Cooking Instructions - Spring and Summer Fixed Term Contract 2026 | Leatherhead Food Research

Department: Cooking Instructions

Employment Type: Contract / Temp

Location: Epsom

Description

Leatherhead Food Research, part of Sagentia Regulatory, provides world‑class expertise and support to the global food and beverage sector. We deliver practical solutions across the entire product lifecycle—from consumer insight and ingredient innovation to food safety consultancy and global regulatory advice. As our business continues to grow in the UK and internationally, we are seeking talented individuals to join our team.

The Opportunity

We are offering a 12-week fixed‑term contract starting in April or May 2026. This role provides hands‑on experience working on projects for a diverse range of clients—from innovative startups to global brands—within our state‑of‑the‑art, UKAS‑accredited kitchens.

At Leatherhead Food Research, cooking instructions are critical to product safety, quality, and consumer satisfaction.

Our Cooking Instructions team ensures that every product entering the market has clear, accurate, and reliable guidance for consumers.

Role Details

This involves:

• Designing and validating cooking instructions that guarantee food safety and deliver the intended eating experience.
• Conducting time and temperature trials across various appliances (ovens, microwaves, grills, air fryers) to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Performing sensory and quality assessments to confirm that products meet brand standards after cooking.
• Applying scientific and analytical methods to verify that instructions align with UK and global regulatory requirements.
• Collaborating with clients to adapt instructions for different markets and packaging formats.

This work is essential for protecting consumers, meeting legal obligations, and supporting successful product launches.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and verify accurate, safe, and clear cooking instructions for food products.
• Conduct time and temperature tests, perform quality and sensory assessments, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with a dedicated team to deliver high‑quality results within tight deadlines.

About You

• Passionate about pursuing a career in the food industry.
• Academic background in Food Science or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong academic background (GCSEs and A-levels).
• Excellent analytical skills, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for hands‑on work.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

You Will

• Have a passion for pursuing a career in the food industry.
• Be currently studying (or have studied) Food Science or a related field at university.
• Have strong GCSE and A-level qualifications.
• Possess broad analytical skills and a keen eye for detail.
• Be enthusiastic, hands‑on, and passionate about cooking.

You Might Also Have (but it’s not essential)

• Previous catering experience.

Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.