Remote Senior Menu Planner & Food Stylist

Placements24; Redmond (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible contractor rates commensurate

Remote work flexibility

Diverse and exciting culinary projects

Portfolio growth with high-profile CLl

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Senior Menu Planner & Food Stylist to lead menu development and presentation for high-profile catering projects. You will design menus, craft detailed recipes, and set visual standards, working with a global team from anywhere.

The ideal candidate combines culinary expertise with strong styling, thrives in a remote setup, and can travel occasionally to ZA for project gatherings. Proficiency with Adobe Suite, Canva, and collaboration tools is required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in menu planning, recipe development, and professional food styling.
• Strong understanding of cuisines and dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free, keto, etc.).
• Exceptional visual creativity and plating sense.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for concept articulation.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design innovative menus for catering clients.
• Develop detailed recipes and preparation guides for culinary teams.
• Define and document visual presentation standards and food styling guidelines.
• Create mood boards and visual concepts for menu presentations.
• Collaborate remotely with chefs, event planners, and marketing teams.
• Research current food trends, dietary preferences, and culinary techniques.
• Source information on ingredient availability and seasonal produce.
• Develop content for marketing materials including dish descriptions.
• Provide expert advice on food pairing and flavor profiles.
• Ensure all menu creations adhere to food safety and nutritional guidelines.
• Contribute to new catering concepts and service offerings.

Skills

Menu planning

Recipe development

Food styling

Culinary knowledge

Visual presentation

Remote collaboration

Dietary knowledge

Food safety

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Canva

Miro

Zoom

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge food technology and catering innovator, is seeking a talented and experienced Remote Senior Menu Planner & Food Stylist to join their expanding virtual operations. This role is crucial for developing captivating and delicious menus that align with emerging food trends and client needs, all managed from a remote setting. You will be responsible for conceptualizing diverse culinary offerings, crafting detailed recipes, and defining the visual presentation standards for various catering projects. The ideal candidate will possess an exceptional understanding of food, a keen eye for aesthetic appeal, and the ability to translate creative ideas into practical, scalable culinary solutions. This position offers the flexibility of working from anywhere, contributing to high-profile projects, and shaping the future of food presentation in the digital age. You'll collaborate with a global team, leveraging technology to bring your culinary visions to life.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and design innovative menus for a diverse range of catering clients, including corporate, private, and specialized events.
• Develop detailed, easy-to-follow recipes and preparation guides for culinary teams.
• Define and document visual presentation standards and food styling guidelines for each menu item.
• Create mood boards and visual concepts for menu presentations and food styling.
• Collaborate remotely with chefs, event planners, and marketing teams to ensure menu alignment with project goals and brand identity.
• Conduct thorough research on current food trends, dietary preferences, and culinary techniques globally.
• Source information on ingredient availability and seasonal produce to inform menu planning.
• Develop content for marketing materials, including descriptions and visual concepts for dishes.
• Provide expert advice on food pairing, flavor profiles, and innovative culinary approaches.
• Ensure all menu creations adhere to relevant food safety and nutritional guidelines.
• Contribute to the development of new catering concepts and service offerings.

Requirements

• Proven experience in menu planning, recipe development, and professional food styling, ideally with a portfolio showcasing creative work.
• Strong understanding of various cuisines, dietary needs (vegan, gluten-free, keto, etc.), and food preparation techniques.
• Exceptional visual creativity and an artistic eye for plating and presentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate culinary concepts clearly.
• Proficiency in using digital tools for design, mood boards, and collaborative work (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Miro, Zoom).
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• A passion for food, innovation, and creating visually appealing culinary experiences.
• Experience in the catering or hospitality industry is essential.
• Familiarity with food photography principles is a plus.
• Must have a reliable internet connection and a dedicated workspace.
• Willingness to occasionally travel to Welkom, Free State, ZA for specific project consultations or team gatherings, as required by the business.

Benefits

• Flexible contractor rates commensurate with experience and project scope.
• Opportunity to work on diverse and exciting culinary projects.
• Remote work flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere.
• Gain exposure to innovative food concepts and trends.
• Collaborate with a passionate and creative international team.
• Build a strong portfolio with high-profile client work.
• Potential for long-term engagement and repeat projects.
• Contribution to a dynamic and growing company.