Development Chef

ISS Facilities Services; South Heighton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading facilities management company is seeking a talented Development Chef in South Heighton to drive culinary innovation and excellence. The role involves menu development, training initiatives, and ensuring operational standards aligned with business growth. Ideal candidates will have experience in menu innovation and a strong leadership background. This position offers a chance to shape exceptional dining experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Chef or Development Chef, ideally within the defence or contract catering sector.
• Demonstrable success in menu development and food innovation.
• Strong leadership with the ability to coach, mentor, and inspire chefs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evolve the food offer in line with business needs and client expectations.
• Research, design, and implement innovative food concepts.
• Support the mobilisation of new contracts, ensuring operational readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Food innovation

Menu development

Communication skills

Education

7061/7062 or equivalent qualifications in food preparation and production

Minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Development Chef

Contract: Food

Location: London, E14 9SH

Hours of work: 40

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract (12 months)

ISS Food Services is seeking a talented and forward-thinking Development Chef to drive culinary innovation and excellence across our operations.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate senior chef to shape and evolve our food offer, developing new concepts and inspiring our teams to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

You will play a pivotal role in influencing menu creation, food trends, and training initiatives that align with the ISS Food Services strategy and business growth.

Job Description

As Development Chef, you will be instrumental in bringing creativity and consistency to our food services, supporting the mobilisation of new contracts, and ensuring our offer remains fresh, relevant, and commercially competitive.

Working closely with operations, suppliers, and clients, you’ll champion best practice, food safety, and continuous improvement - driving culinary standards that reflect ISS's commitment to excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Continually develop and evolve the ISS Food Services food offer in line with business needs and client expectations.
• Research, design, and implement innovative food concepts and current trends across multiple sectors.
• Support the mobilisation of new contracts, ensuring operational readiness and menu alignment.
• Identify areas for craft development and deliver effective training to enhance culinary capability across teams.
• Build a culture of collaboration, sharing best practices, and raising food standards throughout the business.
• Ensure all food safety, operational, and recruitment policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Evaluate service changes for financial, operational, and personnel implications before implementation.
• Collaborate with nominated suppliers to ensure quality, consistency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Actively support tender processes and contribute culinary expertise to new business proposals.

Professional and Personal Competencies/Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior Chef or Development Chef, ideally within the defence or contract catering sector.
• Demonstrable success in menu development and food innovation.
• Strong leadership with the ability to coach, mentor, and inspire chefs at all levels.
• 7061/7062 or equivalent qualifications in food preparation and production.
• Minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (or equivalent).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Passionate about food, creativity, and service excellence.
• Strong commercial understanding with a proven track record of delivering results.
• Experience contributing to tenders and new business development.
• Prior experience building menus and delivering culinary solutions within the defence segment.

The Company

ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience.

Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it’s hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.

We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. #ISSGreatPeople #ISSTalent #PeopleMakePlace

ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.

ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.

We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme.

Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.

Contact

If you have any further queries regarding this role, please contact the Resourcing Team by emailing [e-mail]