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- Tasks: Lead culinary strategy, support menu development, and drive food innovation across diverse clients.
- Company: Join Foodbuy Group, the UK's leading food procurement organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a high-impact role with national exposure and autonomy.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team within a FTSE 100 company.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food quality and innovation while working with passionate chefs.
- Qualifications: Senior culinary experience and strong commercial understanding of food costings.
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 employer: Foodbuy
Contact Detail:
Foodbuy Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Culinary Specialist
✨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 innovative food concepts you've worked on. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culinary trends. Be ready to discuss how you can support their goals in food quality and innovation. Confidence is key, so practice your pitch!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to make an impact in the culinary world.
We think you need these skills to ace Culinary Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your culinary journey and what drives you to innovate in the kitchen. We want to see that spark of enthusiasm that makes you a perfect fit for our team.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in commercial hospitality. We’re looking for those standout moments where you’ve led culinary projects or developed menus. Tailoring your application to reflect this will help us see how you can make an impact.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Foodbuy Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foodbuy
✨Know Your Culinary Trends
Make sure you’re up to date with the latest culinary trends and innovations. Research current food movements, such as plant-forward and sustainable initiatives, and be ready to discuss how you can incorporate these into your role. This shows your passion for food and your ability to drive innovation.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share specific examples from your past roles that highlight your culinary expertise and commercial understanding. Discuss your experience with menu development, chef training, and any successful projects you've led. This will demonstrate your capability to influence and inspire others.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
As a Culinary Specialist, you'll need to communicate effectively with chefs, clients, and stakeholders. Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as a confident communicator.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about their culinary strategy, challenges they face, or how they measure success in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values and goals.