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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.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
- 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 and leadership skills.
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 Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Alchemy Hospitality
Contact Detail:
Alchemy Hospitality Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events or online. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Development Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! Consider hosting a cooking demo or a tasting session to showcase your creativity and innovation. This is a great way to impress potential employers and demonstrate your passion for food.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When you’re chatting with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in menu development and compliance with food safety standards. We want them to see how you can meet their specific needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talented chefs who are ready to innovate and lead in the kitchen.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Creativity: When crafting your application, let your passion for food innovation shine through! Share specific examples of how you've developed unique menus or recipes that catered to diverse tastes and dietary needs.
Tailor Your CV to the Role: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in contract catering and multi-site environments. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description, so don’t hold back!
Demonstrate Your Operational Know-How: In your application, mention any experience you have with food safety, HACCP compliance, and managing food quality across different locations. This will show us that you understand the importance of maintaining high standards.
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 get you one step closer to joining our team!
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 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 food safety seriously and understand the legal landscape.
✨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 how you’ve adapted menus based on their feedback. This will highlight your client engagement skills.