Junior Development Chef

Prep Kitchen Ltd; Gravesend; Presencial; GBP 28.000 - 36.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Prep Kitchen Ltd in the South East is seeking a development-focused Chef with 2–3 years in a professional kitchen. You should be able to run a kitchen section, bring strong flavour skills, and aspire to become a Development Chef within a year or two.

Training will be provided to expand your capabilities and costs will be managed to meet budgets. The role is a 40-hour week contract with no weekend work, based at our Southfleet kitchen (DA13).

Formación

• 2–3 years’ minimum experience in a professional kitchen.
• CDP/Senior CDP level; able to run most sections independently.
• Excellent palate with strong flavour development.
• Level 2 Award in Food Hygiene.
• Comfortable using computer systems.
• Eager to learn and contribute in a supportive team.

Responsabilidades

• Cook a diverse range of cuisines to a high standard with a strong palate and balance of flavours.
• Menu and recipe development in line with internal briefs and guidelines.
• Assist on projects end-to-end and learn from the team.
• Develop dishes to nutritional criteria using our recipe system (full training given).
• Learn cost engineering and how to develop menus to a target cost.
• Source ingredients and suppliers to a brief and negotiate for best price and specs.
• Help produce training materials and specifications to launch projects.
• Day-to-day upkeep of the development kitchen and keep it stocked and pristine.

Conocimientos

Professional kitchen experience

CDP level

Flavour development

Computer literacy

Team player

Eager to learn

Educación

Level 2 Award in Food Hygiene

Descripción del empleo

About Us

Prep Kitchen is one of the fastest-growing meal prep companies in the UK, ranked in The Sunday Times Hundred list two years in a row — #27 in 2024 and featured again in 2025 as one of the UK’s top 100 fastest-growing private companies. We provide convenient, healthy, and delicious meals to customers across the country. With a focus on high-quality ingredients, varied menu options, and exceptional customer service, Prep Kitchen has established itself as a trusted brand in the market.

We’re also proud to be named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025, a true reflection of the culture and care we build from the inside out. We’re growing fast - but always with purpose, and we’re committed to welcoming the very best into the PK crew: those who bring talent, heart, and the drive to make a real impact.

Job Overview/Summary

We’re looking for a talented Chef who loves food, understands flavour and can really cook. You’ll need a minimum of 2–3 years’ experience in restaurants in London or the South East, be able to run a section in a busy kitchen, and cook to a consistently high standard. Bring the cooking ability and we’ll take care of the rest. Our team of eight will train you to become a fully fledged Development Chef within a year or two.

This is a 40-hour week contract, with no weekend work!

Our kitchen is based in Southfleet (DA13).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Cooking a diverse range of cuisines to a high standard, with a strong palate and a real understanding of flavour, seasoning and balance

• Menu and recipe development in line with internal briefs and guidelines

• Assisting on projects end-to-end and learning from our fantastic team

• Developing dishes to nutritional criteria using our recipe system (full training given)

• Learning cost engineering and how to develop menus to a target cost

• Sourcing ingredients and suppliers to a brief, and being confident picking up the phone to get the best price and spec

• Helping produce training materials and specifications to launch projects

• Day-to-day upkeep of our development kitchen, making sure it’s stocked and looking impeccable

About You

• 2–3 years’ minimum experience in a professional kitchen

• At least CDP/Senior CDP level, able to run most sections independently

• A great palate and a passion for flavour. You taste everything and know how to make a dish better.

• Level 2 Award in Food Hygiene

• Comfortable using a computer for everyday tasks. We use a few different systems, but we’ll show you the ropes.

• Eager to learn and get stuck in, in a supportive team where everyone brings out the best in each other

Desirable

• A car, or access to reliable transport to get to Southfleet each day

• A culinary arts or food science background

• Good written and verbal communication skills

Accommodations

At Prep Kitchen, we celebrate the unique qualities that each individual brings to the workplace. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where everyone feels valued and supported. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, as we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation and contribute to our success. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute to our collective growth.