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
Contact Detail:
Gather + Gather Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the food industry. Attend events, join culinary groups, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary creativity! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, bring along a portfolio of your best dishes or even a sample menu. Let your passion for food shine through – it’s all about making a memorable impression!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Gather & Gather loves innovation, so come ready with ideas that align with their mission. Show them you’re not just another chef, but a bold adventurer in food!
✨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 candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s make food magic together!
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 key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in menu development and team leadership, as these are crucial for the Senior Development Chef role. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their background to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: While we love a good story, keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, just like you would with clients and stakeholders.
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 that 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 creatively 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 developed kitchen teams in the past. Highlight specific instances where your coaching made a difference, as this role requires strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
✨Understand the Client's Palate
Research Gather & Gather’s client base and their expectations. Be prepared to discuss how you would engage with clients to understand their vision and deliver food that meets their needs, showcasing your client-facing skills.
✨Be Ready to Innovate
Gather & Gather values creativity, so come equipped with ideas for new dishes or concepts that reflect current food trends. Show them your passion for fresh food and how you can challenge the conventional to create memorable dining experiences.