Assistant R&D Chef

Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A gourmet food company in Hayward, California, is seeking an Assistant R&D Chef to develop exceptional Indian recipes and manage R&D projects. The ideal candidate will have 3 to 5 years of commercial cooking experience, preferably with R&D involvement, and a culinary arts degree. This position requires creative collaboration with marketing and innovation teams, as well as strong kitchen skills and food safety knowledge. Join us in creating great tasting flavors that consumers want to eat.

Qualifications

• At least 3 to 5 years of experience cooking commercially, preferably with R&D experience.
• Experience in food commercialization at scale is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop experimental recipes with marketing/innovation using commercial ingredients.
• Work with QA/R&D to develop necessary cooking instructions.
• Assist in sensory testing and document results.
• Manage multiple R&D projects and maintain timelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of spice formulae and handle vendor contacts.

Skills

Creative chef with a background in multi-ethnic cuisine

Good kitchen skills and garnishing skills

Experience cooking with Indian spices, curries and flavors

Strong interpersonal skills

Solid mathematical skills related to weights and measures

Highly organized with flexibility

Solid understanding of food safety

Excellent communication skills

Education

AS degree in Culinary Arts

Degree in food science

Job description

The Assistant R&D Chef will report to the founder and head chef and will work closely with the marketing team, the QA and R&D department, and the market. This individual will develop expertise in our current Indian recipes, and will work collaboratively with marketing/innovation to develop new recipes. Ideally this individual will have multi-cultural culinary abilities as a chef and will assist with some of our other brands as well. This individual will be responsible for managing the R&D projects and ensuring that all projects are completed on time and within budget. Above all, you will create great tasting flavors that consumers want to eat.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop experimental recipes, partnering with marketing/innovation using commercial ingredients
• Work with QA/R&D to develop cooking instructions or other product documentation as needed
• Assist with sensory testing by preparing ingredient subassemblies or finished goods according to instructions and assist in the documentation of results
• Participate in cross-functional collaboration with business teams and stakeholders in the product development process
• Observe recipe test results and challenge and recommend solutions
• Manage multiple assignments/development projects concurrently to meet R&D timelines
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of all spice formulae and is the only contact with spice vendors as to spice recipes

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• At least 3 to 5 years of experience cooking commercially, preferably with R&D experience
• AS degree in Culinary Arts from an accredited program or a degree in food science is a plus
• Experience in food commercialization at scale is a plus

Skills

• Creative chef with a background in multi-ethnic cuisine, preferably Indian cuisine
• Good kitchen skills, garnishing skills, and strong sense of taste and smell
• Experience cooking with Indian spices, curries and flavors
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop partnerships
• Ability to taste and ingest any type of food under development, allergens excluded
• Solid mathematical skills as it relates to weights and measures
• Highly organized with a high degree of flexibility
• Solid understanding of food safety
• Focused with an ability to document and take notes effectively
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing