Remote Culinary & Catering Innovation Lead

Placements24; LegKraal Gate; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Creative impact

Global opportunities

Industry leadership

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Culinary & Catering Innovation Lead to shape future menus and service models for a global catering program. You will spearhead concept development, trend research, and scalable, profitable culinary solutions while guiding a dispersed team from a remote location.

The role demands deep culinary expertise, strategic thinking, and strong collaboration with operations and marketing to ensure culinary concepts are feasible, compliant, and market-ready.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead menu development and innovation in catering or fine dining.
• Strong knowledge of food science, nutrition, and safety principles.
• Experience managing remote or distributed culinary teams.
• Creative thinker with a passion for gastronomy and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and refine innovative menu offerings and catering packages
• Research and identify emerging food trends, ingredients, and culinary techniques globally
• Lead culinary development projects from ideation through to execution and market launch
• Collaborate with operations and marketing teams to ensure culinary concepts are feasible, scalable, and aligned with business objectives
• Develop standards for food quality, presentation, and taste across all catering services
• Create recipes, plating guides, and training materials for culinary teams
• Explore and champion sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients and practices
• Conduct taste panels, gather feedback, and iterate on culinary offerings based on market response
• Mentor and guide chefs and culinary teams remotely, fostering a culture of creativity and excellence
• Stay abreast of competitive culinary landscapes and identify opportunities for differentiation

Skills

Culinary leadership

Menu development

Research & trend analysis

Remote team mentorship

Food safety knowledge

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or Food Science

Tools

Culinary software

Recipe management systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client is at the forefront of redefining culinary experiences and is seeking a visionary Remote Culinary & Catering Innovation Lead. This position is fully remote, demanding a creative thinker who can spearhead the development of new menu concepts, innovative service models, and sustainable culinary practices for our client's expanding catering services. You will be instrumental in driving culinary excellence, researching emerging food trends, and translating creative ideas into scalable and profitable catering solutions. The ideal candidate possesses a deep passion for food, exceptional culinary expertise, and the ability to inspire and guide a dispersed team. This is a unique opportunity to lead culinary innovation from a global perspective.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and refine innovative menu offerings and catering packages
• Research and identify emerging food trends, ingredients, and culinary techniques globally
• Lead culinary development projects from ideation through to execution and market launch
• Collaborate with operations and marketing teams to ensure culinary concepts are feasible, scalable, and aligned with business objectives
• Develop standards for food quality, presentation, and taste across all catering services
• Create recipes, plating guides, and training materials for culinary teams
• Explore and champion sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients and practices
• Conduct taste panels, gather feedback, and iterate on culinary offerings based on market response
• Mentor and guide chefs and culinary teams remotely, fostering a culture of creativity and excellence
• Stay abreast of competitive culinary landscapes and identify opportunities for differentiation

Requirements

• Extensive culinary experience, with a significant focus on menu development and innovation in catering or high-end restaurants
• Demonstrated ability to create cutting-edge, market-relevant culinary concepts
• Strong understanding of food science, nutrition, and food safety principles
• Proven experience in leading culinary teams and projects, ideally in a remote or distributed setting
• Exceptional creativity, palate, and a passion for gastronomy
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or a related field is highly preferred
• Ability to think strategically and translate creative ideas into practical, scalable solutions
• Proficiency in culinary software and recipe management systems is a plus
• Self-motivated, disciplined, and able to work autonomously in a remote work environment

Benefits

• Enjoy the ultimate flexibility with a fully remote work arrangement, allowing you to work from anywhere
• Our client offers a top-tier remuneration package, reflecting the seniority and strategic importance of this role
• This position provides a significant platform for creative expression and professional impact within the culinary world
• You will be part of an innovative and growth-oriented company dedicated to pushing the boundaries of catering
• Contribute to shaping the future of culinary experiences on a national and potentially international scale