Culinary Development Chef - Menu Innovation

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Creative work environment

East London location

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Culinary Development Chef to drive menu creation and innovation for a diverse catering portfolio in East London. You will research, develop, and test new items, aligning with client preferences and dietary needs while maintaining exceptional quality and taste in the Eastern Cape market.

Responsibilities include trend research, creating full menu proposals, taste testing, recipe costing, and collaboration with the Head Chef and procurement to manage costs.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Chef with a strong focus on menu development and culinary innovation.
• Excellent understanding of food costing, nutritional requirements, and dietary restrictions.
• Strong sensory evaluation skills and ability to articulate taste profiles.
• Proficiency in recipe development software and standard kitchen operations.
• A culinary degree or equivalent professional experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify emerging food trends to inspire menu concepts.
• Develop innovative and appealing dishes with full menu proposals.
• Conduct taste testing and gather feedback to refine recipes.
• Create detailed recipes, costing, and preparation guidelines.
• Collaborate with Head Chef and procurement to source ingredients and manage costs.
• Ensure all dishes meet high standards for taste, presentation, and quality.

Skills

Menu development

Culinary innovation

Food costing

Nutritional knowledge

Dietary restrictions

Sensory evaluation

Recipe development

Kitchen operations

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

Recipe development software

Job description

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced Culinary Development Chef to drive menu creation and innovation for their diverse catering portfolio in East London . This role requires a passion for food, a keen eye for emerging culinary trends, and the ability to translate creative concepts into commercially viable and appealing dishes. You will be responsible for researching, developing, and testing new menu items, ensuring they align with client preferences, dietary needs, and the company's commitment to exceptional quality and taste in the Eastern Cape market.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and identify emerging food trends, ingredients, and techniques to inspire new menu concepts.
• Develop innovative and appealing dishes, including full menu proposals for various catering events and client types.
• Conduct taste testing sessions and gather feedback from internal teams and select clients to refine recipes.
• Create detailed recipes, costing, and preparation guidelines for new menu items.
• Collaborate with the Head Chef and procurement team to source high-quality ingredients and manage food costs effectively.
• Ensure all developed dishes meet the company's high standards for taste, presentation, and quality.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Chef with a strong focus on menu development and culinary innovation.
• Demonstrated creativity and a passion for exploring new flavors, ingredients, and culinary techniques.
• Excellent understanding of food costing, nutritional requirements, and dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free).
• Strong sensory evaluation skills and the ability to articulate taste profiles and food qualities.
• Proficiency in recipe development software and standard kitchen operations.
• A culinary degree or equivalent professional experience is highly preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and potential performance bonuses.
• Opportunity to shape the culinary direction and brand of a dynamic catering company.
• Work with a variety of fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Continuous learning and exposure to diverse culinary experiences in East London .
• A collaborative and creative work environment that fosters innovation.