Development Chef

TN United Kingdom; Welwyn Garden City; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading contract caterer seeks a Development Chef to enhance food offerings in schools across London and the South of England. The role involves menu development, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring compliance with School Food Standards. Ideal candidates will have culinary expertise and experience in large-scale menu implementation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Development Chef or similar role in contract catering.
• Extensive experience in creating large-scale, healthy menus.
• Knowledge of current food trends and School Food Standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test innovative recipes for schools.
• Engage with stakeholders through presentations and workshops.
• Adapt food trends for school catering and commercial projects.

Skills

Culinary Expertise

Menu Development

Innovation & Market Awareness

Budget & Cost Control

Nutritional Knowledge

Education

Level 3 Food Safety

City & Guilds Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

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The client is a leading contract caterer focused on school feeding, committed to delivering high-quality, nutritious, and engaging food experiences for children and staff across primary schools, secondary schools, and commercial sites. As a Development Chef, you will play a vital role in their food innovation and menu development programs, expanding across London and the South of England. Your role will focus on promoting the company's services in public sector procurement of school feeding.

You will be instrumental in shaping and enhancing food offerings across various settings. The Development Chef will proactively create and test innovative, nutritious, and cost-effective dishes, ensuring compliance with market trends, budget constraints, and School Food Standards.

Your responsibilities include engaging with external stakeholders through assemblies and workshops, promoting healthy eating initiatives, and representing the company at presentations and events to support business growth and retention. Additionally, you will showcase new dishes, menus, concepts, and themed days to kitchen teams, supporting operational implementation and working to improve labor efficiencies and service delivery.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Menu & Recipe Development: Develop and test innovative recipes suitable for primary and secondary schools, ensuring compliance with School Food Standards and external accreditations. Collaborate with suppliers and procurement teams to source quality ingredients cost-effectively. Standardize recipes using Saffron software for consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency.
2. Stakeholder Engagement & Presentations: Represent the company at industry events, delivering engaging cooking demonstrations and workshops to various audiences. Work with operational teams to ensure successful delivery of new menus and concepts.
3. Innovation & Market Trends: Keep abreast of emerging food trends, adapting them for school catering and commercial projects. Create showcase dishes for tenders, exhibitions, and stakeholder events.
4. Development & Rollout of New Concepts: Support the development and implementation of new school food concepts and themed menus, collaborating with operations teams.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience:

• Culinary Expertise: Proven experience as a Development Chef, Senior Chef, or Catering Manager, preferably in contract catering or educational settings.
• Menu Development: Extensive experience in creating and implementing large-scale, healthy, and cost-effective menus.
• Innovation & Market Awareness: Knowledge of current food trends and ability to adapt them for school catering environments.
• Budget & Cost Control: Experience managing food costs within strict budgets.
• Nutritional Knowledge: Understanding of School Food Standards and allergen management.

Qualifications:

• Level 3 Food Safety
• City & Guilds Level 3 or equivalent

Kellan Group (including Berkeley Scott, RK, and Quantica) is committed to promoting equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of age, gender, religion, belief, race, sexuality, or disability. We operate as an employment agency and employment business. A wide range of vacancies is available on our websites.