At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive culinary innovation and develop exciting menus for diverse sectors.
- Company: Major hospitality & 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 NI and ROI, perfect for food enthusiasts.
- 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.
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.
- Operational Support
- 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.
- Quality, Standards & Compliance
- 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.
- Supplier & Product Development
- 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.
- Training & Team Development
- 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.
- Client Engagement & Business Development
- 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.
Development Chef in Portsmouth employer: Alchemy Hospitality
As a leading hospitality and catering provider, our client offers an inspiring work environment for Development Chefs, where culinary creativity meets operational excellence. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides extensive training opportunities and encourages innovation across its diverse contract catering estate in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Enjoy competitive salaries, a generous car allowance, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic industry that values quality and client satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality and catering industry. Attend events, join culinary groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to chefs on social media. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a cooking demo or a tasting session to showcase your culinary creativity. This is a great way to impress potential employers and demonstrate your ability to develop innovative menus that meet client expectations.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When you’re applying for roles, make sure to highlight your experience with menu development and food safety compliance. Use specific examples from your past work to show how you’ve successfully managed projects and met regional preferences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented Development Chefs like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Portsmouth
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 Operational Know-How:Make sure to emphasise your experience in managing food quality and compliance. Talk about your familiarity with HACCP and allergen legislation, especially the differences between NI and ROI. This will show us that you’re not just creative but also operationally savvy!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to align their background with what we’re looking for—this shows genuine interest!
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 it gets into the right hands quickly. Plus, it’s super easy—just follow the prompts and you’ll be on your way to joining our culinary 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 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 Training Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve trained and motivated teams in the past. Bring examples of training materials or sessions you've conducted to demonstrate your ability to develop culinary talent.
✨Understand Regional Differences
Since the role involves both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, brush up on the key differences in food legislation and regional tastes. This will show that you can adapt menus effectively.
✨Engage with Client Needs
Think about how you would build relationships with clients. Prepare to discuss how you’ve tailored culinary solutions in previous roles and be ready to suggest ways to engage clients through tastings or presentations.
