Remote Culinary Consultant & Menu Strategist

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Flexible hours

National scope influence

Forward-thinking company

Professional development

Remote dining experiences

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Culinary Consultant & Menu Strategist to shape menu concepts and drive gastronomic innovation from anywhere in South Africa. The role focuses on profitability, scalability, and expert guidance to remote operational teams, with a strong emphasis on trends, dietary needs, and safe practices.

You will collaborate with marketing and product teams, develop standardized recipes, and create training content while maintaining high-quality, brand-aligned culinary

Qualifications

• Our client seeks 8+ years in culinary arts, menu development, and food service operations.
• A strong portfolio of menu concepts and culinary innovation.
• Knowledge of global/local food trends, dietary needs, and sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop innovative menu ideas aligned with market trends and client needs.
• Analyze existing menu performance for optimization and cost savings.
• Create detailed recipes, costing documents, and preparation guides.
• Provide culinary guidance to kitchen teams via virtual channels.
• Conduct market research on trends, competitors, and customer preferences.
• Collaborate with marketing/product teams on brand and culinary strategy.
• Develop standardized recipes for consistency across locations.
• Create engaging culinary content for training and promotions.
• Ensure menus follow nutritional, dietary, and food safety standards.
• Manage multiple projects with deadlines and quality outcomes.
• Act as a brand ambassador for culinary excellence and innovation.
• Document processes for internal knowledge sharing.

Skills

Culinary arts

Menu development

Food costing

Remote collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management

Tools

Digital collaboration tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic and innovative food service provider with a national reach, is actively seeking a talented Remote Culinary Consultant & Menu Strategist. This fully remote position offers an exceptional opportunity for a creative and analytical culinary professional to shape menu offerings and drive gastronomic innovation from anywhere in South Africa . You will be responsible for developing cutting-edge menu concepts, optimizing existing offerings for profitability and appeal, and providing expert culinary guidance to various operational teams. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of current food trends, a proven ability to translate culinary vision into practical, scalable solutions, and excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with remote stakeholders. This role demands a proactive approach, a passion for culinary excellence, and the ability to work independently while delivering high-impact results. You will be crucial in enhancing our client's brand through exceptional food and beverage experiences across all their platforms. Your expertise will be key in maintaining a competitive edge in the ever-evolving food industry. This is a truly remote position, offering unparalleled flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and develop innovative menu ideas aligned with market trends and client needs.
• Analyze existing menu performance, identifying opportunities for optimization and cost savings.
• Create detailed recipes, costing documents, and preparation guides for new and revised menu items.
• Provide expert culinary advice and training support to kitchen teams and operational staff via virtual channels.
• Conduct market research to identify emerging food trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences.
• Collaborate with marketing and product development teams to ensure cohesive brand messaging and culinary strategy.
• Develop and refine standardized recipes to ensure consistency and quality across all locations.
• Create engaging culinary content for training materials, promotional activities, and client presentations.
• Ensure all menu development adheres to nutritional guidelines, dietary restrictions, and food safety standards.
• Manage multiple culinary projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Act as a brand ambassador for culinary excellence, fostering a culture of innovation and quality.
• Document culinary processes and best practices for knowledge sharing within the organization.

Requirements

• Extensive experience (8+ years) in culinary arts, menu development, and food service operations, preferably with a focus on menu strategy and consulting.
• A strong portfolio showcasing successful menu creations and culinary innovation.
• In-depth knowledge of current global and local food trends, dietary needs, and sustainable practices.
• Proven ability to conduct thorough food costing and financial analysis for menu items.
• Exceptional research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex ideas clearly.
• Proficiency in using digital collaboration tools and platforms for remote work.
• A degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in developing scalable recipes for large-scale food service operations.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and able to manage time effectively in a remote setting.
• Experience working with diverse culinary backgrounds and international cuisines is a plus.

Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible working hours.
• Competitive compensation package, reflecting the senior nature of the role.
• Opportunity to influence culinary direction on a national scale.
• Work with a forward-thinking and innovative company.
• Professional development opportunities and continuous learning.
• Contribute to shaping exceptional dining experiences from the comfort of your home, regardless of your location within South Africa .