Exclusive -Development Chef (Michelin/ AA Rosette exposure)

Zest; Slough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Flexible bank holidays

Strong pension contributions

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Zest is seeking a Development Chef to translate fine-dining standards into the brand’s recipe portfolio. You will shape dishes from concept through launch, driving restaurant-calibre thinking as the team scales products for broad reach.

You will lead tastings, communicate with stakeholders, and collaborate with procurement and technical colleagues on sourcing and scale-up. A passion for food and creativity are essential.

Qualifications

• Michelin-starred or AA Rosette kitchen experience required.
• No manufacturing or FMCG background required.
• Strong communication and presentation skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine recipes from idea to launch.
• Present ideas at internal tastings to stakeholders.
• Lead early exploratory stage of new projects.
• Set quality benchmark through regular tastings.
• Collaborate with procurement and technical teams on sourcing and scale-up.
• Build food culture across the business through tastings and training.

Skills

Rosette exp

Culinary skill

Communication skills

Job description

Exclusive - Development Chef (Michelin or AA Rosette exposure required) - Food Brand

This role takes the skill, instinct and standards of a fine-dining kitchen and uses them to shape the recipes behind a much-loved food brand. No manufacturing background is required, just genuine culinary talent and a hunger to see your food reach far more people than any single restaurant ever could, with a far more regular working week than fine dining allows.

Zest is recruiting a Development Chef to join the food team behind a well-established food brand, creating and refining recipes that carry real chef-level quality. Working closely with the wider development team, you will take dishes from first idea through to launch, bringing restaurant-calibre thinking to food that reaches thousands of tables. This is a genuine career shift for a chef who wants their creativity to live beyond a single service, always pushing for that 'wow' factor and bringing real culinary authority into a business built on food passion.

As Development Chef, you will develop and continually refine recipes, identify new ingredients and techniques, and present ideas at internal tastings, telling the story behind each dish to stakeholders including senior leadership. You will lead the early, exploratory stage of new projects, set the quality benchmark through regular tastings, and work alongside procurement and technical colleagues on sourcing and scale-up, while you focus on the food itself. You will also help build food culture across the business through tastings, trend reviews and chef training days.

You will bring Michelin-starred or AA Rosette kitchen experience, exceptional culinary skill and a genuine love of food. No manufacturing or FMCG background is needed, full support and training is given as you make the move. Confident communication and presentation skills are essential, along with strong organisation, attention to detail and a creative, collaborative attitude.

In return, you will get standard working hours, a role with a B Corp business built on quality and sustainability, an annual bonus, flexible bank holidays, strong pension contributions and genuine learning and development opportunities.

Please note sponsorship is not available for this role and all candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

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