Development Chef

As Development Chef, you'll work across the studio's projects, developing and delivering food and drink experiences for clients and audiences.

Objectives for the Role

The Role

The role

As Development Chef, you’ll work across the studio’s projects, developing and delivering food and drink experiences for clients and audiences.

Your work could range from developing a new jelly or confectionery concept, creating a menu for an immersive dinner, developing food for a brand activation, producing food for a shoot, or experimenting with new ingredients, techniques and formats as part of an R&D project.

You’ll work closely with our creative, project and production teams, translating creative briefs into practical food solutions and helping to develop ideas from initial concept through to testing and final delivery.

You’ll also take responsibility for the practical delivery of catering and food production at events, tastings, workshops and studio activities, including leading freelance chefs and kitchen teams when required.

Key responsibilities

• Develop original food and drink concepts in response to creative and client briefs.
• Research, develop and test recipes, menus, products and food experiences.
• Experiment with ingredients, techniques, formats and presentation to find unexpected and innovative solutions.
• Contribute to B&P’s ongoing food R&D and new product development.
• Explore food innovation, food science, food history, culture and emerging trends to inform new ideas.
• Prototype and iterate ideas, responding to feedback and finding practical ways to take concepts into production.
• Develop recipes and production specifications that can be replicated consistently and at scale.

Events, catering & production

• Plan and deliver food for B&P and client events, tastings, workshops, shoots and activations.
• Lead food production and execution from preparation through to service.
• Develop menus ranging from canapés and family-style dining to immersive dinners, installations and experimental food experiences.
• Oversee food styling and presentation for photography, film and content production.
• Represent Bompas & Parr as the chef at events and client-facing activities.
• Lead freelance chefs, kitchen assistants and other BOH teams when required.
• Ensure food is delivered to the required creative, quality and operational standards.
• Work closely with Creative Directors, designers, producers, project managers and other members of the studio to develop food-led ideas.
• Participate in creative development sessions, tastings and client presentations.
• Help translate abstract or ambitious creative ideas into achievable food concepts.
• Present and explain food concepts, techniques and ideas confidently to clients, collaborators and audiences.
• Support food and drink workshops, demonstrations and educational activities where required.

Food styling & content creation

• Develop and style food for photography, film, social and editorial content, working with the creative team on shoots and contributing ideas for food-led content.
• Participate in content creation and demonstrations where required, helping bring B&P’s food, R&D and projects to life visually.

Project & commercial management

• Develop recipes, menus and production plans within agreed budgets and project requirements.
• Cost recipes and menus accurately and identify opportunities to manage food costs and waste.
• Research and source ingredients, equipment and specialist suppliers.
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant food, hospitality and production suppliers.
• Plan ingredient purchasing and production requirements for projects and events.
• Create catering toolkits, recipes, prep instructions and production documentation for external teams.
• Communicate clearly with project teams regarding requirements, timings, risks and delivery.
• Support the project team in identifying practical, efficient and scalable approaches to food production.

Food safety & compliance

• Maintain high standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness at all times.
• Maintain and update HACCP and food safety documentation.
• Ensure appropriate allergen information and food safety procedures are in place for projects and events.
• Complete relevant risk assessments and ensure safe working practices across studio and off-site environments.
• Ensure kitchen equipment, storage and working areas are maintained appropriately.
• Take responsibility for food safety and compliance when leading off-site food production.
• Line management of the F&B Intern providing mentorship throughout the internship program.

About You

We’re looking for a chef who combines strong culinary skills with curiosity, creativity and a willingness to experiment.

You’ll ideally have:

• Significant professional kitchen experience, with a strong understanding of culinary technique and food production.
• Experience developing menus, recipes or food products from concept through to execution.
• Experience catering for events or producing food at scale.
• A genuine interest in food innovation, food science, food history, culture and emerging culinary ideas.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• The ability to cost recipes, manage ingredients and work within project budgets.
• Experience working with suppliers and external production teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to work with clients and multidisciplinary creative teams.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• The ability to work independently and take ownership of projects, while also collaborating effectively as part of a wider team.
• A high level of attention to detail and pride in the quality of your work.
• Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification or equivalent.
• Good working knowledge of HACCP and food safety requirements.
• Competence with standard digital tools, including Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Desirable but not essential:

• Experience in experimental, or experiential food.
• Experience working within creative studios, events, hospitality, production or similar environments.
• Knowledge of food science, fermentation, preservation, confectionery, pastry or other specialist techniques.
• Experience with drinks, cocktails or beverage development.
• Experience leading freelance or temporary kitchen teams.
• Experience delivering workshops, demonstrations or client presentations.
• Experience working on shoots or food styling.

General

• To undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required.
• To be able to speak knowledgeably and articulately about all aspects of the work of Bompas & Parr and to support the organisation’s principal aims and objectives.
• To communicate regularly and effectively with the Directors and to seek support from appropriate staff at the earliest opportunity should problems arise.

Please note, due to the nature of the role you will be expected to work occasional evenings and weekends. There may also be the requirement to travel internationally.

Summary of terms and conditions

• Salary band £40,000 – £48,000 depending on experience
• The post is based in Bompas & Parr’s studio in Barbican
• 25 days of annual leave + 8 BankHolidays
• At Christmas Bompas & Parr are closed between Christmas and New Year this uses 3 days of annual leave
• One of these days is a ‘wellness’day which can be taken on shortnotice and is for your wellbeing.
• You acquire 1 day of holiday for each year you work (capped at 5 days)
• At 2 years you can buy 5 days of holiday
• Death in Service cover post probationary period
• Post probationary period, employees qualify for Private Medical insurance
• After five years of service you earn a one month paid sabbatical
• After ten years of service you earn a three month paid sabbatical
• Staff lunches are provided in the studio every Wednesday
• Enhanced Maternity & PaternityAllowance following 2 years at Bompas & Parr
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Monthly Culture Outings
• Christmas company party
• Summer company party
• Celebrations of special events
• Surprise Studio Events throughout the year

Bompas & Parr is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, where all applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disabilities.