At Gather & Gather, great food in the workplace isn’t simply about fuel. It’s about increasing productivity and improving performance; it’s about happy motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we live to bring food and people together. We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional. Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday.
Location: WC1H 9LT - Zones 1-2 in London with ad-hoc national required
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum plus travel
Working Pattern: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week
Key Responsibilities:
- Menu and recipe development: Design and create innovative and commercially smart menus and recipes, often using seasonal and sustainable ingredients, while analyzing target audiences and market trends.
- Quality and standards: Ensure all food meets high-quality standards and complies with food policies, legislation, and health and safety regulations.
- Team leadership: Coach, mentor, and lead culinary teams, conduct training sessions, and ensure consistency in standards and delivery across different sites.
- Client and stakeholder engagement: Work closely with clients to understand their vision and deliver food that reflects their needs. Engage with internal departments and stakeholders as needed.
- Commercial management: Manage budgets, control costs, and contribute to sales and business growth by developing appealing and profitable food offers.
- Operational support: Support new offer deployments, mobilizations, and pilot initiatives, and act as a lead chef for offer refreshes and on-site projects.
Required skills and experience:
- Culinary expertise: Strong culinary background, excellent cooking skills, and a passion for food, presentation, and creating high-quality dishes.
- Commercial acumen: Demonstrated ability to understand and manage budgets, control costs, and develop commercially viable food concepts.
- Leadership and coaching: Experience in leading, coaching, and developing a kitchen team.
- Client-facing skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams.
- Innovation: A creative and innovative approach to food, with a strong awareness of food trends.
- Compliance: A strong understanding of food safety, hygiene, and allergen compliance.
- Experience: Previous experience in a development, executive, or senior culinary role within contract catering or a related field.
Our Ideal Candidate:
- B&I contract catering experience
- Restaurant experience
- Passionate about fresh food and latest food trends
- Comfortable to assist with sales presentations
- Creative and innovative thinker
What’s in it for you?
Working with Gather & Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Senior Development Chef employer: Gather + Gather
Contact Detail:
Gather + Gather Recruiting Team
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share your culinary journey and what inspires you to create innovative dishes. We want to see that spark of creativity and passion that aligns with our adventurous spirit.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your expertise in menu development and client engagement, as these are key to the Senior Development Chef role. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their background to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We value clarity, so make it easy for us to see how your experience fits with our needs without wading through unnecessary fluff.
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, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Gather & Gather!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gather + Gather
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary knowledge, especially around seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Be ready to discuss how you can incorporate these into innovative menus that align with Gather & Gather's vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and mentored kitchen teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your coaching made a difference in team performance or food quality.
✨Understand the Client's Needs
Research Gather & Gather’s client base and think about how you can tailor your culinary creations to meet their expectations. Be prepared to discuss how you would engage with clients to understand their vision and deliver accordingly.
✨Be Ready to Innovate
Gather & Gather values creativity, so come armed with ideas for new dishes or concepts that reflect current food trends. Think outside the box and be ready to explain how your innovative approach can enhance their offerings.