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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.
Development Chef in Liverpool employer: Alchemy Hospitality
Contact Detail:
Alchemy Hospitality Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend culinary events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream Development Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! Consider hosting a cooking demo or a tasting session to showcase your innovative menu ideas. This hands-on approach can really impress potential employers and set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your pitch! When you get the chance to meet with clients or hiring managers, make sure to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you understand the regional differences and can adapt menus accordingly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that could be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Liverpool
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 something fresh to the table.
Highlight Your Operational Know-How: Make sure to mention your experience with implementing new menus and standards. Talk about any training sessions or cooking demonstrations you've led. We love candidates who can blend creativity with operational awareness, so show us how you've done this in your previous roles!
Know Your Compliance Stuff: Since food safety and compliance are key in this role, don’t forget to highlight your knowledge of HACCP and allergen legislation. Mention any specific experiences where you ensured high food standards and compliance across multiple sites. This will show us you're serious about quality!
Tailor Your CV for Us: Before hitting send, make sure your CV is tailored to the Development Chef role. Use keywords from the job description and focus on relevant experiences. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed. We can't wait to see what you've got!
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 recipes that align with the role. Be ready to discuss how you would innovate and adapt these menus for different sectors, especially considering regional preferences in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
Prepare to share examples of your past culinary innovations. Bring along a portfolio or samples of your work if possible. This will not only demonstrate your creativity but also your ability to develop commercially viable menus that meet client expectations.
✨Understand Food Safety Regulations
Brush up on your knowledge of HACCP and allergen legislation, particularly the differences between UK and ROI regulations. Being able to discuss compliance confidently will show that you take food safety seriously and understand the operational standards required in this role.
✨Engage with Client Needs
Think about how you can tailor culinary solutions to meet client needs. Prepare to discuss how you’ve built relationships with clients in the past and how you would approach client engagement in this role. This will highlight your communication skills and your understanding of the business development aspect of the position.