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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.
www.alchemyrecruitment.net
Development Chef in Plymouth employer: Alchemy Hospitality
Contact Detail:
Alchemy Hospitality Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Plymouth
✨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 skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best menu creations and recipes. This will not only impress potential employers but also give them a taste of your culinary innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience and how you can drive culinary innovation in their kitchens. Tailor your approach to highlight your understanding of regional preferences and food standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team and ready to take on the challenge!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Creativity: When you're crafting your application, let your passion for food innovation shine through! Share examples of how you've developed unique menus or recipes that not only taste great but also meet budget and client 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 responsibilities of a Development Chef, so don’t hold back on those relevant achievements!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we love a bit of personality, remember to keep your application professional. Use a friendly tone, but ensure you’re showcasing your culinary expertise and understanding of food safety and compliance standards.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to see 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 B&I, education, and healthcare. This shows your creativity and operational awareness.
✨Showcase Your Training Skills
Highlight your experience in training and developing culinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached others or created training materials. This will demonstrate your ability to motivate and influence teams across multiple sites.
✨Understand Compliance and Standards
Brush up on your knowledge of HACCP, food safety, and allergen legislation, especially the differences between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you take quality and compliance seriously.
✨Engage with Client Needs
Be prepared to talk about how you’ve built strong relationships with clients in the past. Think of specific examples where you tailored culinary solutions to meet client expectations. This will highlight your client engagement skills and business development mindset.