New Product Development Chef

Fouche & Co Recruitment; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Fouche & Co Recruitment is seeking a Development Chef based in Johannesburg with travel across Gauteng and occasional trips to KwaZulu-Natal. You will drive new product innovation, design and refine exciting menu items, and train kitchen teams to execute consistently.

The role demands strong leadership in a high-volume catering environment, with a focus on wrapping, burgers, poke bowls and other casual dining concepts. A culinary qualification and willingness to travel are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven kitchen experience at Sous Chef or Head Chef level with strong mentoring ability.
• A relevant culinary qualification is an advantage.
• Experience in retail food, education, or high-volume catering is highly advantageous.
• Valid driver’s license with own vehicle and willingness to travel between JHB and KZN branches.
• Clear criminal record.

Responsibilities

• Design, test and innovate food products for high-volume catering and contract operations.
• Create detailed, scalable recipes and SOPs.
• Travel regularly to regional branches across Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal to roll out new lines.
• Conduct hands-on training to teach on-site kitchen staff how to prepare and execute new meals.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure concepts are practical, cost-effective and viable.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Mentoring others

Menu development

Staff training

Education

Culinary qualification

Job description

A leading player in the commercial catering and food service industry, specializing in bespoke contract catering solutions across education, healthcare, commercial, and retirement sectors in South Africa.

We are looking for a creative and energetic Development Chef to drive new product innovation and train staff. In this exciting, travel-heavy role based primarily in Johannesburg (with a willingness to travel regularly throughout JHB and occasionally to KZN), you will conceptualize and refine exciting menu items like wraps, burgers, loaded fries, and poke bowls, while empowering kitchen teams to bring them to life.

Key responsibilities:

• Design, test, and innovate exciting new food products tailored for high-volume catering and contract operations.
• Create detailed, scalable recipes and standard operating procedures.
• Travel regularly to various regional branches across Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal to roll out new product lines.
• Conduct hands-on training sessions to teach on-site kitchen staff how to prepare and execute new meals consistently.
• Collaborate with operations to ensure culinary concepts are practical, cost-effective, and commercially viable.

Requirements:

• Proven kitchen experience previously operating at a Sous Chef or Head Chef level with a strong talent for teaching and mentoring others.
• A relevant culinary qualification will be a distinct advantage.
• Experience within a retail food, education, or high-volume catering environment is highly advantageous.
• A valid driver’s license and reliable own vehicle, with a willingness to travel regularly between JHB and KZN branches.
• A clear criminal record.

Attributes:

• Creative and full of positive energy.
• Passionate about trendy, casual dining concepts (wraps, burgers, poke bowls etc.).
• Exceptional interpersonal and training skills with the ability to inspire kitchen teams.

Salary

Negotiable, depending on experience and qualifications.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.