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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 with a focus on quality and creativity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of food trends and make a real impact in the culinary world.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Development Chef or similar role, with strong culinary skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
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.
Locations
Development Chef in Devon, Plymouth employer: Alchemy Hospitality
Contact Detail:
Alchemy Hospitality Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Devon, Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the hospitality and catering industry. Attend events, join culinary groups, and don’t be shy about sharing your passion for food innovation. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best menu designs and recipes. If you’ve got any cooking demos or presentations under your belt, include those too. This is your chance to visually impress potential employers with your culinary creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When reaching out to potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with menu development and compliance with food safety standards. Show them you understand the unique challenges of catering across NI and ROI.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented Development Chefs like you. Don’t miss out on the chance to land your dream job by applying directly and showcasing your culinary expertise.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Devon, Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Development Chef role. Highlight your culinary innovation, menu development, and any relevant experience in contract catering to catch our eye!
Show Off Your Creativity: As a Development Chef, creativity is key! Include examples of innovative menus or recipes you've developed in the past. We want to see how you blend creativity with operational awareness.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points for your achievements and responsibilities to make it easy for us to read and understand your experience.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alchemy Hospitality
✨Know Your Menus Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with current food trends and have a few innovative menu ideas ready to share. This shows your creativity and understanding of what’s needed in the role.
✨Showcase Your Culinary Skills
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in developing menus and recipes. Bring examples of your work or even a portfolio that highlights your culinary creations and how they met client needs.
✨Understand Regional Differences
Since the role involves catering across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, brush up on the regional tastes and any legislative differences. This will demonstrate your operational awareness and adaptability.
✨Engage with Client Needs
Think about how you can tailor culinary solutions to meet client expectations. Be ready to discuss how you’ve built relationships with clients in the past and how you can support sales and retention efforts.