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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive culinary innovation and develop exciting menus for diverse sectors.
- Company: Major hospitality and catering provider operating across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across NI and ROI, hands-on kitchen experience.
- Why this job: Be a culinary leader, create impactful dishes, and engage with clients.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Development Chef or similar role in contract catering.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
We are seeking to recruit a Development Chef on behalf of our client, a major hospitality & catering provider operating both North & South of the border.
Role Purpose
The Development Chef is responsible for driving culinary innovation, developing commercially viable menus, and ensuring high food standards across the contract catering estate in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This role blends creativity with operational awareness, ensuring that all food offerings meet client expectations, budget requirements, regional preferences, and legislative standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Menu & Recipe Development
- Create innovative, seasonal, and cost effective menus suitable for multiple sectors (e.g., B&I, education, healthcare, hospitality).
- Develop recipe specifications, portion sizes, allergen information, and costings.
- Adapt menus to meet regional tastes and regulatory differences between NI and ROI.
- Lead periodic menu refreshes, food trend analysis, and showcase new concepts to clients and internal teams.
- Work closely with site chefs and managers to implement new menus, standards, and food concepts.
- Conduct on site cooking demonstrations, training sessions, and quality audits.
- Support new site mobilisations and tender presentations as required.
- Troubleshoot operational challenges related to food quality, consistency, or cost control.
- Ensure food safety, allergen management, and HACCP compliance across NI and ROI.
- Uphold brand standards and ensure consistent delivery across all units.
- Maintain thorough knowledge of food legislation in both jurisdictions.
- Collaborate with procurement teams on product selection, supplier innovation days, and cost optimisation.
- Evaluate new ingredients, equipment, and culinary technologies that support efficiency and quality.
- Provide coaching and skills development for culinary teams.
- Create training materials, guides, and standard operating procedures.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement and culinary excellence.
- Support sales and retention teams with tasting sessions, site visits, proposals, and presentations.
- Build strong relationships with clients by understanding their needs and tailoring culinary solutions to suit.
Skills, Experience & Competencies
Essential
- Proven experience as a Development Chef, Head Chef, or Executive Chef within contract catering or multi site environments.
- Strong understanding of food cost control, GP management, and commercial menu planning.
- Ability to train, motivate, and influence teams across multiple sites.
- Full driving licence and willingness to travel throughout NI and ROI.
- Excellent knowledge of HACCP, food safety, allergen legislation (including differences between UK & ROI regulations).
- Creative, trend aware approach to food with strong presentation skills.
Desirable
- Experience in tender support and client presentations.
- Familiarity with sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.
- Experience in education, B&I, healthcare, or retail catering sectors.
Personal Attributes
- Passionate about food innovation and quality.
- Strong communicator with the ability to build positive relationships.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects.
- Comfortable working autonomously and adapting to different environments.
- Energetic, resilient, and solution focused.
Working Conditions
- Regular travel across NI and ROI.
- Occasional early starts, evenings, or weekend work for events or menu launches.
- Hands on role requiring time in kitchens, at sites, and in development sessions.
- Salary range c£45k plus £4k car allowance and benefits.
Interested candidates who meet the above criteria please forward CV in the strictest confidence.
Specialist Recruitment to the Hospitality and Leisure Industry.
Development Chef in Bournemouth employer: Alchemy Hospitality
Contact Detail:
Alchemy Hospitality Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Bournemouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality and catering industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential employers directly. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! If you can, organise a cooking demo or a tasting session to showcase your innovative menu ideas. This is a great way to demonstrate your creativity and operational awareness, plus it gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When you’re reaching out to companies, make sure to highlight your experience in contract catering and your understanding of regional preferences. Show them that you’re not just another chef, but the perfect fit for their specific needs across NI and ROI.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented chefs like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, get your application in and let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Creativity: When crafting your application, let your passion for food innovation shine through! Share examples of how you've developed unique menus or recipes that cater to different sectors. We want to see your creative flair and how you can bring fresh ideas to the table.
Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to detail your experience as a Development Chef or in similar roles. We’re looking for someone who understands food cost control and has a strong grasp of HACCP and food safety regulations. Don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements in previous positions!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your CV and cover letter to the specific role. Mention your understanding of regional preferences between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and how you can adapt menus accordingly. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alchemy Hospitality
✨Know Your Menus Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with a variety of menus and culinary trends. Be ready to discuss how you would create innovative, seasonal dishes that cater to different sectors like education or healthcare. This shows your creativity and operational awareness.
✨Showcase Your Training Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience in training and developing culinary teams. Bring examples of training materials or sessions you've conducted. This will demonstrate your ability to motivate and influence teams across multiple sites, which is crucial for this role.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on HACCP, food safety, and allergen legislation, especially the differences between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Being able to discuss compliance confidently will show that you take quality and safety seriously.
✨Engage with Client Needs
Think about how you can tailor culinary solutions to meet client expectations. Prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships with clients in the past, and be ready to discuss how you would support sales and retention teams with tastings and presentations.