At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary strategy and support menu development across diverse food operations.
- Company: Join Foodbuy Group, the UK's leading food procurement organisation.
- Benefits: Gain national exposure, autonomy, and the chance to shape food quality.
- Other info: Work with a passionate team and develop your skills in a high-impact role.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food innovation and training in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Senior culinary experience and strong understanding of food trends required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Mobile / National
About the role
We’re looking for a passionate and commercially minded Culinary Specialist to join Foodbuy Group and play a key role in driving food quality, innovation, margin and safety across our client base. Working closely with the Culinary Director and senior stakeholders across Foodbuy, this is a hands‑on, outward‑facing role where you’ll support clients and operational teams with menu development, continuous improvement, chef training and food innovation. You’ll be trusted to influence, inspire and deliver real impact across diverse food operations.
What you’ll be responsible for
- Leading and supporting the delivery of culinary strategy across a varied client portfolio
- Providing on‑site support, audits and practical advice across kitchens and retail outlets
- Creating and delivering improvement plans, monitoring progress and outcomes
- Supporting menu development, recipe creation, allergen management and food innovation
- Working with chefs to improve margin, consistency and food standards
- Designing and delivering chef development and training programmes
- Supporting sampling sessions, product trials and ingredient performance reviews
- Collaborating with suppliers to identify value, innovation and new product opportunities
- Developing food programmes aligned to current culinary trends and client briefs
- Promoting plant‑forward, wellbeing‑led and sustainable food initiatives
What we’re looking for
- City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent)
- Senior culinary experience within commercial hospitality (e.g. Head Chef, Executive Chef)
- Strong commercial understanding of food costings, margins and menu development
- Proven experience developing food concepts and implementing them at scale
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence chefs, clients and stakeholders
- Strong understanding of food trends, sourcing, allergens and product evaluation
- Comfortable working autonomously and managing a national diary
- A genuine passion for food, training and developing others
- Competent with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Why join Foodbuy?
Foodbuy Group is the UK’s leading food procurement organisation, managing over £2bn of spend across foodservice and hospitality. Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland (a FTSE 100 business), we work with clients to deliver expert procurement, culinary and supply chain solutions that create real commercial and operational value. This is a high‑impact role offering national exposure, autonomy, and the chance to shape food quality and innovation at scale.
Culinary Specialist in Chertsey employer: Foodbuy
Contact Detail:
Foodbuy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Culinary Specialist in Chertsey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend culinary events, and join relevant online groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Culinary Specialist role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your menu development, recipe creations, and any training programmes you've delivered. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest food trends and innovations. Be ready to discuss how you can implement these in a commercial setting. We want to see your passion for food and your ability to influence others!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Culinary Specialist in Chertsey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your culinary experiences and what drives you in the kitchen. We want to see that genuine enthusiasm for food quality and innovation.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills align with the role. Mention specific experiences that relate to menu development, chef training, or food innovation. This helps us see how you can make an impact!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Foodbuy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodbuy
✨Know Your Culinary Trends
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest culinary trends and innovations. Research what’s currently popular in the food industry, especially around plant-forward and sustainable initiatives. This will show your passion for food and your ability to align with the company’s goals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous roles in detail, particularly any experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef. Highlight specific examples of how you’ve developed food concepts or improved kitchen operations. This will demonstrate your strong commercial understanding and hands-on expertise.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves influencing chefs and stakeholders, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your communication style and ensure you can convey your culinary vision effectively.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Have a list of insightful questions ready to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about their current culinary strategies or how they measure success in food innovation. It shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.