Remote Culinary Development Chef

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Culinary Development Chef to drive menu innovation across its national operations. Lead concept creation, recipe development, and culinary trends from a remote location while collaborating with marketing, operations, and procurement.

You will translate creative ideas into scalable dishes, manage cost targets, ensure food safety, and support training for operational teams. This is a fully remote role offering flexibility and strong growth with a leading food

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience as a Chef with menu development focus.
• Formal culinary qualifications from a reputable institution.
• Demonstrated expertise across cuisines and cooking techniques.
• Strong understanding of food cost, nutrition, and food safety.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and test new menu items for various segments.
• Create detailed recipes, cooking instructions, and presentation guidelines.
• Research emerging food trends, ingredients, and techniques.
• Collaborate with marketing to develop menu descriptions and promotions.
• Work with procurement to source high-quality ingredients cost-effectively.
• Provide culinary support and training materials to operational teams.
• Evaluate and improve existing menu items based on feedback and data.

Skills

Menu development

Culinary innovation

Food cost analysis

Food safety

Communication

Digital collaboration tools

Recipe development software

Research & trends

Education

Culinary qualifications

Tools

Recipe development software

Digital collaboration tools

Job description

About the Role

A leading national food service provider is seeking a highly innovative and creative Remote Culinary Development Chef to drive menu innovation and culinary excellence across its diverse operations. This role is ideal for a visionary chef who thrives on conceptualizing new dishes, refining recipes, and developing culinary trends that resonate with a broad customer base, all managed from a remote location. You will collaborate with various teams, including marketing, operations, and procurement, to create exciting and commercially viable menu items. The successful candidate will possess a deep passion for food, extensive culinary knowledge, and the ability to translate creative ideas into practical, scalable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, develop, and test new menu items and culinary concepts for various market segments.
• Create detailed recipes, cooking instructions, and presentation guidelines for new dishes.
• Conduct thorough research on emerging food trends, ingredients, and culinary techniques.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to develop compelling menu descriptions and promotional materials.
• Work with the procurement team to identify and source high-quality ingredients cost-effectively.
• Provide culinary support and training materials to operational teams.
• Evaluate and improve existing menu items based on customer feedback and performance data.
• Ensure all culinary developments adhere to food safety, nutritional standards, and cost targets.
• Participate in taste panels and client presentations to showcase new culinary creations.
• Maintain a digital portfolio of developed recipes and culinary concepts.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience as a Chef, with a significant focus on menu development and culinary innovation.
• Formal culinary qualifications from a reputable institution.
• Demonstrated expertise in a wide range of cuisines and cooking techniques.
• Strong understanding of food cost, nutritional analysis, and food safety standards.
• Excellent creativity, palate, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in digital collaboration tools and recipe development software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate culinary ideas clearly.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet project deadlines remotely.
• Experience in research and trend analysis within the food industry.
• A proactive approach to innovation and problem-solving.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers unparalleled flexibility and the chance to influence the culinary direction of a national company.
• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, potential for bonuses, and excellent opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement.
• You will join a dedicated team focused on innovation and quality, contributing significantly to the company's success without the need for a daily commute.
• This is a career-defining role for a chef passionate about creating the future of food.