Regional Development Chef

Aramark UK; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee perks (GP access, discounts, EAP)

Pension and life assurance

Generous holiday allowance

Access to training and career progression

Life assurance

Generous holiday

Training & progression

Forces Friendly organisation

Job summary

A leading catering organization is looking for a Regional Development Chef to elevate culinary standards across military sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The ideal candidate will have experience leading multi-site culinary operations, with a strong focus on food safety, menu development, and team training. This role involves regular travel and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the food experience for service personnel. Attractive employee perks and opportunities for career growth are offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef, Development Chef, or similar role.
• Strong understanding of large-scale catering and compliance standards.
• Excellent culinary skills and ability to innovate.
• Full UK driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary standards and innovation across military sites.
• Develop and roll out high-quality menus.
• Train and support chef teams at multiple locations.
• Conduct kitchen audits for compliance with standards.
• Oversee food cost management, stock control and supplier usage.
• Plan and deliver bespoke dining events and special functions.

Skills

Culinary innovation

Food safety compliance

Training and mentoring

Menu development

Operational excellence

Job description

We’re looking for a talented and passionate Regional Development Chef to lead, develop and elevate culinary standards across our catering operation on military sites across Scotland and Northern Ireland. If you’re a hands‑on leader, a creative culinary professional, and someone who thrives in fast‑paced operational environments, this is an exciting opportunity to shape the food experience for service personnel every day.

This is a regional role across Scotland & Northern Ireland; regular travel is a pre‑requisite for this position.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Inspire Culinary Standards & Innovation
• Develop, refine, and roll out high‑quality menus tailored to military site needs.
• Ensure consistent delivery of food quality, presentation, and portion control across all units.
• Lead culinary innovation, seasonal menu changes, and recipe development.
• Support & Train Site‑Based Chef Teams
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and on‑the‑job training to chefs at multiple sites.
• Identify skills gaps and deliver training sessions to upskill teams.
• Support with onboarding new chefs, ensuring they meet food safety and service standards.
• Drive Operational Excellence
• Conduct regular kitchen audits to ensure compliance with HACCP, H&S regulations, Defence Catering standards and company policy.
• Oversee food cost management, waste reduction, stock control, and supplier product usage.
• Support mobilisation of new contracts, menu rollouts, and special projects.
• Build effective relationships with military clients, catering managers, site leads and senior officers.
• Support and deliver VIP visits, ceremonial functions, and high‑profile dining events.
• Represent the culinary team at meetings, tastings, and reviews.
• Lead Events & Function Support
• Plan and oversee delivery of bespoke dining events, themed menus, and regimental dinners.
• Work closely with site teams to ensure seamless delivery of formal and informal catering functions.

What We’re Looking For

• Experienced Head Chef, Development Chef, or similar multi‑site culinary role.
• Strong knowledge of large‑scale catering, ideally in Defence or similar environments.
• Excellent culinary skills with a passion for quality and innovation.
• Confident trainer, communicator, and motivator of diverse teams.
• Strong understanding of food safety, allergens, and compliance (HACCP essential).
• Flexibility to travel across the region and support multiple sites.
• Full UK driving licence.

What’s In It for You

• Employee perks (GP access, discounts, EAP), pension and life assurance.
• Generous holiday allowance with option to buy more.
• Access to training, qualifications, and clear career progression routes.
• Be part of a Forces Friendly, Disability Confident organisation with strong values.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re passionate about food, leadership, and delivering excellence across military catering, we’d love to hear from you.