Remote Culinary Consultant & Menu Developer

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 482,000 - 1,240,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Contract-based engagements

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Remote Culinary Consultant and Menu Developer to join our virtual team. This role focuses on creating cutting-edge menu concepts, developing detailed recipes, and guiding operations from a home office.

You will research trends, curate diverse cuisines, and collaborate with culinary and operations teams to ensure feasibility, consistency, and high-quality results across events.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in professional culinary roles with menu development focus.
• Strong portfolio of diverse menu concepts and culinary innovation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with digital collaboration tools for remote work.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative, market-relevant menu concepts for a wide range of catering events.
• Create detailed recipes with ingredient lists, prep methods, and plating instructions.
• Research culinary trends, ingredients, and dietary preferences for menu development.
• Collaborate virtually with central culinary and operations teams for feasibility and consistency.
• Provide culinary guidance to operational staff remotely and support costing menus.

Skills

7+ years culinary experience

Menu development

High-volume catering experience

Global cuisines knowledge

Excellent communication

Remote collaboration tools usage

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Tools

Zoom

Slack

Email

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding national catering service, is seeking an innovative and experienced Remote Culinary Consultant and Menu Developer to join their virtual team. This role is designed for a passionate food professional who can remotely contribute to the strategic development and refinement of culinary offerings across various event types. You will be instrumental in creating cutting-edge menu concepts, developing detailed recipes, and providing culinary guidance to operational teams, all from the comfort of your home office. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of current food trends, diverse cuisines, and the practicalities of large-scale catering production. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your expertise without geographical constraints, shaping the future of a dynamic catering business from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop innovative and market-relevant menu concepts for a wide range of catering events, from corporate functions to weddings.
• Create detailed recipes, including precise ingredient lists, preparation methods, and plating instructions.
• Conduct thorough research on culinary trends, ingredients, and dietary preferences to inform menu development.
• Collaborate virtually with the central culinary and operations teams to ensure menu feasibility and consistency.
• Provide expert culinary advice and support to operational staff remotely.
• Assist in costing menus and identifying cost-effective ingredient sourcing strategies.
• Contribute to the refinement of existing menu items and the development of seasonal specials.
• Document culinary processes and standards for internal training and operational guides.
• Participate in virtual brainstorming sessions and strategy meetings.
• Ensure all developed recipes and concepts adhere to food safety and quality standards.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in professional culinary roles, with a significant focus on menu development and recipe creation.
• Demonstrated experience in catering or high-volume food service operations.
• A strong portfolio showcasing diverse menu creations and culinary innovation.
• Exceptional understanding of global cuisines, dietary trends, and ingredient applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate culinary concepts clearly.
• Proficiency in using digital communication tools (e.g., Zoom, Slack, email) for remote collaboration.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and able to manage multiple projects independently.
• Ability to work autonomously and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• Knowledge of food costing principles and practical application.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional experience is required.

Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement, offering flexibility and work-life balance.
• Competitive contractor compensation based on experience and project scope.
• Opportunity to significantly impact the culinary direction of a growing national brand.
• Work on diverse and exciting menu development projects.
• Collaborate with a forward-thinking team from a remote location.
• Professional autonomy and the ability to shape your work schedule.
• Potential for ongoing contract engagements and project extensions.
• Contribute to innovative culinary experiences without geographical limitations.