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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.
- 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 via link below.
Development Chef in Lisburn employer: Alchemy Recruitment Solutions Ltd
Contact Detail:
Alchemy Recruitment Solutions Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Lisburn
✨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 needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When you’re chatting with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with menu development and food safety compliance. They’ll want to know how you can adapt to regional tastes and ensure high standards across multiple sites.
✨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 get noticed by hiring managers who are looking for someone with your unique skill set.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Lisburn
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 have wowed clients and met their 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 listed in the job description, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear About Compliance Knowledge: Since food safety and legislation are crucial, be explicit about your knowledge of HACCP and allergen management. Mention any specific experiences you’ve had ensuring compliance across different regions.
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 on the path to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alchemy Recruitment Solutions Ltd
✨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. Think about how you can adapt these to different sectors like education or healthcare, as this will show your creativity and operational awareness.
✨Showcase Your Training Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in training and developing culinary teams. Bring examples of training materials you've created or sessions you've led, as this will highlight 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 regulations confidently will demonstrate your commitment to quality and compliance.
✨Engage with Client Needs
Think about how you can build strong relationships with clients. Prepare to discuss past experiences where you tailored culinary solutions to meet client expectations, as this will show your understanding of client engagement and business development.