Director of Culinary Innovation (Remote)

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health and dental insurance

Professional development

Paid time off

Flexible remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is looking for a Director of Culinary Innovation to shape and lead culinary strategy on a global scale. This fully remote role requires a visionary, data-driven chef with a track record in R&D, menu development, and cross-brand collaboration to drive innovative concepts across restaurant and hotel brands.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of senior culinary leadership, a strong foundation in food science, and a passion for diverse global cuisines, sustainability, and guest

Qualifications

• Culinary degree from a recognized institution or equivalent extensive professional experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 5 years in a senior culinary leadership, R&D, or menu development role.
• Proven track record of successful menu development and innovation in a multi-unit or large-scale hospitality environment.
• Deep knowledge of food science, nutrition, and various global cuisines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ideation, development, and implementation of innovative culinary concepts and menu engineering across all restaurant and hotel brands.
• Conduct extensive research into global food trends, emerging ingredients, dietary needs, and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Collaborate with executive chefs and culinary teams to pilot, refine, and launch new dishes and menu items.
• Develop and maintain robust culinary standards, recipes, and plating guides to ensure consistency and quality.
• Oversee pilot programs and provide guidance for menu rollouts in various locations.
• Manage culinary budgets, control food costs, and optimize sourcing strategies for ingredients.
• Champion sustainable and ethical food sourcing initiatives within the supply chain.
• Train and mentor culinary staff on new techniques, concepts, and quality standards.
• Stay current with advancements in food technology, preparation methods, and presentation techniques.
• Work closely with marketing and brand development teams to align culinary offerings with brand positioning and promotional campaigns.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Food science

Global cuisines

Budget management

Project management

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

About the Role

Join Our client, a visionary leader in the global hospitality and food service industry, as their Director of Culinary Innovation. This is a fully remote position, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of culinary experiences from anywhere in the world. You will spearhead the development of innovative menu concepts, sustainable food practices, and cutting-edge culinary trends for a diverse portfolio of establishments. The ideal candidate is a highly creative and strategic culinary professional with a passion for food science, global cuisines, and driving positive change within the food and beverage sector. This role requires a blend of artistic flair, rigorous analytical thinking, and exceptional leadership capabilities to inspire and guide culinary teams. You will be a key player in defining our client's culinary identity and ensuring exceptional quality and guest satisfaction across all brands, with a focus on our operations in and around **Cape Town, Western Cape**.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ideation, development, and implementation of innovative culinary concepts and menu engineering across all restaurant and hotel brands.
• Conduct extensive research into global food trends, emerging ingredients, dietary needs, and sustainable sourcing practices.
• Collaborate with executive chefs and culinary teams to pilot, refine, and launch new dishes and menu items.
• Develop and maintain robust culinary standards, recipes, and plating guides to ensure consistency and quality.
• Oversee pilot programs and provide guidance for menu rollouts in various locations.
• Manage culinary budgets, control food costs, and optimize sourcing strategies for ingredients.
• Champion sustainable and ethical food sourcing initiatives within the supply chain.
• Train and mentor culinary staff on new techniques, concepts, and quality standards.
• Stay current with advancements in food technology, preparation methods, and presentation techniques.
• Work closely with marketing and brand development teams to align culinary offerings with brand positioning and promotional campaigns.

Requirements

• Culinary degree from a recognized institution or equivalent extensive professional experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 5 years in a senior culinary leadership, R&D, or menu development role.
• Proven track record of successful menu development and innovation in a multi-unit or large-scale hospitality environment.
• Deep knowledge of food science, nutrition, and various global cuisines.
• Exceptional creativity, palate, and understanding of flavor profiles.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in a remote or hybrid work model is advantageous.
• Proficiency in cost control, inventory management, and yield analysis.
• A passion for sustainability and ethical food practices.
• Must be authorized to work in South Africa and fluent in English.

Benefits

• This role offers a highly competitive salary, an annual performance bonus, comprehensive health and dental insurance, opportunities for professional development and international culinary exposure, paid time off, and a flexible remote work arrangement.

You will be part of an esteemed organization dedicated to culinary excellence and innovation, with the freedom to shape the future of dining experiences.