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- Tasks: Lead menu development and create delicious recipes that balance taste, nutrition, and sustainability.
- Company: Elior - a people-first company with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK.
- Benefits: Free meals, flexible working, generous holiday allowance, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while enjoying a supportive and inclusive workplace.
- Qualifications: Strong culinary experience, confidence with data, and a passion for food trends.
- Other info: Field-based role with a company car and a focus on collaboration and innovation.
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 London employer: Elior
Contact Detail:
Elior Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Culinary Development Specialist - Care in London
✨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 with hiring managers or during interviews, share your insights on current culinary trends and how they can impact menu development. It’ll show you’re not just about the basics.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical assessments! Since this role involves recipe and menu development, be ready to showcase your culinary skills. Practice creating dishes that balance taste, nutrition, and cost-effectiveness to impress during any cooking demos.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the team at Elior. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Culinary Development Specialist - Care in London
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 sustainable menus.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Culinary Development Specialist role. Highlight your experience with menu management systems and data analysis, as these are key to what we do at Elior.
Be Yourself: We want to get to know the real you! Don’t hesitate to use the name you feel most comfortable with when applying. Authenticity is important to us, so let your personality come through in your writing.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior
✨Know Your Culinary Trends
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest food trends and innovations. Research what’s currently popular in the culinary world, especially in care sectors. This will help you demonstrate your passion for food and show how you can translate these trends into practical menu ideas.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Since this role involves working with data to optimise menus and mitigate costs, be prepared to discuss your experience with menu management systems and cost models. Bring examples of how you've used data in previous roles to drive improvements or make informed decisions.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
This position requires a lot of teamwork with various departments. Think of specific examples where you’ve successfully collaborated with chefs, marketing teams, or suppliers. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve influenced others to achieve common goals.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Compliance and Nutrition
Familiarise yourself with allergen regulations and nutritional guidelines relevant to the food industry. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your recipes and menu designs, as this is crucial for the role. Showing that you understand the importance of these aspects will set you apart.
