Development Chef

Thomas Franks; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wider wallet scheme (discounts at many

Free meals on duty

Volunteers leave – up to one day per

Enhanced maternity, paternity and adp.

Cycle to work scheme

Recommend a friend bonus

Unrivalled training and development

Apprenticeship programme

Job summary

Thomas Franks London is seeking a talented Development Chef to join our chef-led team in London. You will support mobilisations, drive food training and develop bespoke seasonal menus with local suppliers while maintaining high standards and cost controls.

Join a leading independent contract caterer known for fresh, regional cooking and a culture that fosters talent, progression and strong client relationships. Right to Work in the UK is required and opportunities for development are excellent.

Qualifications

• Experience in B&I contract catering or Independent School sector at Executive Head Chef, Executive Chef Manager or Development Chef level.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities with a track record of developing teams.
• Solid costings, budgeting and financial understanding within a catering business.

Responsibilities

• Support mobilisations across locations.
• Provide troubleshooting at locations needing additional support.
• Lead and drive food-based training and development programmes.
• Assist with high-level hospitality and events.
• Create bespoke seasonal menus using regional/local suppliers.
• Mentor staff to uphold food standards.
• Complete food costings as required.
• Manage company bookwork.
• Ensure adherence to Thomas Franks Fresh Food Standards and manage wastage.
• Ensure all Food Hygiene and Health & Safety policies are followed.

Skills

Food & hospitality passion

Client relationship skills

Team leadership

Innovation & food storytelling

Detail-oriented

Financial understanding

Job description

Contract: Full Time , Permanent
Salary: £ 60,000 per annum
Hours: 40 per week

At Thomas Franks London, we don’t just cater; we craft exceptional, food-focused experiences tailored just for you. With our commitment to openness and transparency, you can trust that every aspect of our service is handled with care and expertise.

Thomas Franks London is a chef-led business. To us, this means boundless creativity, energy, passion and fun. Our inclusive culture grows talent within, allowing freedom for our people to feed their ambitions. Delivering tasty, flavour-packed food dish after dish is only possible through our meticulously curated London Larder with access to the prime pick of the city and its surrounding produce.

We are looking for a super talented Development Chef to join and support our growing team in London.

You will have worked within either the B&I contract catering sector or Independent School sector at Executive Head Chef, Executive Chef Manager or Development Chef level to be considered for this role.

Key responsibilities:

• To support with mobilisations
• To support with troubleshooting at locations which require additional support
• To take full responsibility for driving food-based training and development programmes within the business.
• Supporting the business with high level hospitality and events
• Creating bespoke seasonal menus from regional and local suppliers
• To play a supporting/mentoring role in setting food standards.
• Completing food costings as required
• Completing company bookwork
• Ensuring company food standards are adhered to and wastage controlled.
• To ensure that the Thomas Franks Fresh Food Standards are followed fully and wholeheartedly by all location staff; making best use of local and in-season produce and implementing appropriate action to address any areas of concern.
• Ensuring all Food Hygiene and Health & Safety policies and allergen control procedures are followed.

You will have the following skills:

• A genuine interest in food & excellent customer service skills
• Excellent client relationship skills
• An all-round team player and leader
• Innovation and passion for great food
• An organised Development Chef with attention to detail
• Sound financial understanding

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
• Free meals on duty
• Volunteers leave – up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Workplace pension.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.

About us

Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.

Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks

We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.