At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious menus that balance taste, nutrition, and sustainability.
- Company: Join Elior, a people-first business with a diverse team.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, flexible hours, generous holidays, and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the culinary world while travelling.
- Qualifications: Strong culinary experience and a passion for food trends.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and support your growth journey.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Love food, data and making a real impact? We’re looking for a Culinary Development Specialist to shape menus that balance great taste with commercial performance, nutrition, and sustainability. Working closely with Development Chefs, Operations, Purchasing and Marketing, you’ll turn insight, trends and feedback into recipes and menus that truly work on the front line. This is a field-based role and will require the flexibility to travel, company car included!
What you’ll be doing…
- Leading recipe and menu development across care sectors, ensuring cost, compliance and operational feasibility
- Optimising ingredients, SKUs and menu margins to support commercial targets
- Translating food trends, customer insight and site feedback into practical innovation
- Supporting menu implementation with clear recipes, training tools and guidance
- Working with Purchasing, Suppliers and Marketing on tastings, reviews and promotions
- Using data to mitigate inflation, improve compliance and drive continuous improvement
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday | 37.5 hours per week
What can you bring?
- Strong culinary and operational experience with a commercial mindset
- Confidence working with menu management systems, data and cost models
- Solid knowledge of allergen, nutrition and food legislation
- The ability to influence, collaborate and communicate at all levels
- A curious, proactive approach with a passion for food trends and quality
- Organised, analytical and comfortable working independently in a field-based role
A full and detailed job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks!
At Elior, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows. That’s why we make sure our team feels appreciated, supported, and set up for success! Here’s what’s waiting for you:
- Free, tasty meals – Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
- Flexible working – including part time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9-5 schedule.
- Plenty of Time to Unwind – generous holiday allowance of 33 days, with the option to buy more.
- Leave for life’s important moments – whether family, personal or unexpected.
- Give back time – paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
- Room to grow – career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
- Financial security – pension schemes and life assurance.
- Drive in Style – Enjoy a company car or car allowance.
One small thing— we welcome you to apply using the name you feel most comfortable with! No need for legal names at this stage.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
We’re a people-first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK, serving everything from stadiums to hospitals, schools to workplaces. Our mission? To enrich lives everywhere, every day. And here’s the best part - 87% of our team say they’re proud to work here! Why? Because we create a place where you’re listened to, trusted, supported, and valued.
Not sure you match every single requirement? Apply anyway! Research shows that many people - especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds - hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria. But we hire for potential, not just experience. If you’re passionate and ready to grow, we want to hear from you!
We Celebrate You!
At Elior, diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies, they’re who we are. We know that different perspectives make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.
Need any support or adjustments during the application process? Just let us know - we’re happy to help!
Ready to join us? Hit ‘Apply Now’ and let’s chat!
Culinary Development Specialist - Care in Leicester employer: Elior Uk
Contact Detail:
Elior Uk Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Culinary Development Specialist - Care in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the culinary field, especially those who work at Elior or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for food trends! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, share your insights on current culinary trends and how they can impact menu development. It’ll show you’re not just about the basics but are genuinely invested in the industry.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. Think of examples from your past experiences that highlight your culinary expertise and how you've used data to drive decisions. We want to hear your journey!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making an impact in the culinary world.
We think you need these skills to ace Culinary Development Specialist - Care in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences or projects that highlight your culinary skills and how they align with our mission to create delicious and nutritious menus.
Be Data Savvy: Since this role involves working with data, make sure to mention any relevant experience you have with menu management systems or cost models. We want to see how you can use data to drive innovation and improve compliance!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to read the job description carefully and tailor your application to match. Highlight your culinary and operational experience, and don’t forget to mention your ability to collaborate with different teams – it’s key for this role!
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 you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come in from passionate candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior Uk
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the latest food trends, nutritional guidelines, and allergen legislation. Being able to discuss how these elements influence menu development will show your passion and expertise in culinary innovation.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Prepare to talk about how you've used data in previous roles to optimise menus or improve compliance. Bring examples of how you’ve turned insights into actionable recipes or cost-effective solutions, as this aligns perfectly with the role's requirements.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with chefs, marketing, or suppliers. Highlight your communication skills and how you can influence others to achieve common goals.
✨Be Ready to Travel
As this is a field-based role, express your flexibility and enthusiasm for travel. Share any past experiences where you've thrived in dynamic environments, showcasing your ability to adapt and work independently while on the go.