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- Tasks: Create and develop exciting new recipes while collaborating with a passionate team.
- Company: Join itsu, a leading Asian-inspired quick-service brand with a focus on healthy eating.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, career growth, and a vibrant work culture.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative kitchen team shaping the future of fast food.
- Qualifications: Passion for food, creativity, and some kitchen experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 33000 £ per year.
We are the leading Asian-inspired quick-service retail and grocery brand with over 80 restaurants across the UK and Belgium, and a growing wholesale business across Europe and beyond. Our renowned delicious food made fresh in every restaurant, every day, has made itsu a top choice for healthy eating. In addition to our restaurants, itsu [grocery] offers a range of high-quality Asian-inspired foods available online and in supermarkets. We are excited to be one of the leading brands in this specific group and have ambitious plans for continued growth both domestically and globally.
The Kitchen Developer supports the creation and development of both new and existing products, bringing creativity and innovation into the kitchen. Working closely with the Product Manager, you will assist in driving NPD and EPD projects through the stage-gate process, helping to turn ideas and market insights into tested recipes and product concepts. Based across our Test Kitchen, academy office, and test restaurants, you will play a hands-on role in recipe creation, trials, and product testing, contributing to the full lifecycle of development from concept to launch.
- Sample Creation & Recipe Development: create food samples from scratch or from set briefs and support/coordinate testing as part of development process when needed.
- Cross-functional & Launch Support: work with the restaurant and academy teams on testing new/existing products and support with the launch initiatives across the restaurants.
- Food and drink trend competency: awareness of trends and taste drivers within our industry and beyond. Use the knowledge to inspire and conceptualise recipes to influence innovation pipelines and strategy.
- Recipe management & documentation: manage accurate recipe files and support the stage-gate process by creating and updating supporting documents, including specifications, costings and allergen details.
- Benchmarking & insight: lead benchmarking initiatives for the team; gathering and analysing competitor and market products and adjusting communication and briefing style to the audience.
Core Responsibilities:
- Market & trend research
- Sample creation & recipe development
- Documentation & specification
- Benchmarking & insights
- Kitchen and ingredient stock management
- Cross-functional & launch support
This is you:
- A real foodie with a passion for Asian inspired food.
- A curious and creative mindset.
- Hands-on experience (internship, placement year or kitchen experience) in a food/kitchen or development environment.
- Good organisation and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate records.
- Basic understanding of recipe creation, kitchen operations and ingredient functionality.
- Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across different teams.
- Willingness to be hands-on, learn and adapt; comfortable working at pace.
You put people at the heart of everything you do by displaying the 4 itsu qualities:
- I take pride [in what I do]
- I genuinely care [for people]
- I want to grow [myself & others]
- I build trust [around me]
Kitchen Developer employer: Itsu Limited
Contact Detail:
Itsu Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Developer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research itsu's values, products, and recent innovations. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your passion for Asian-inspired food and how you fit into their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for hands-on tasks during interviews. Since the Kitchen Developer role is all about creativity and practical skills, be ready to showcase your recipe development process or even whip up a quick sample if asked!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the itsu family.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Developer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for Asian-inspired food shine through! Share any personal experiences or inspirations that fuel your creativity in the kitchen. We want to see that foodie spark!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience you've had in a kitchen or development environment. Whether it's an internship or a placement year, we want to know how you've rolled up your sleeves and got stuck in!
Keep It Organised: As a Kitchen Developer, attention to detail is key. Make sure your application is well-structured and free of errors. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for us to read and understand your qualifications.
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 this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on being part of our itsu family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Itsu Limited
✨Know Your Flavours
Dive deep into Asian-inspired cuisine before your interview. Familiarise yourself with current food trends and popular dishes. This will not only show your passion for food but also help you discuss how you can contribute creatively to the kitchen.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to share examples of your previous recipe development or food projects. Bring along a portfolio if you have one, or be ready to discuss your thought process behind creating a dish. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and innovative mindset.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated in the past. Be ready to discuss how you communicate and work with others to bring ideas to life, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Organised and Detail-Oriented
Highlight your organisational skills during the interview. Discuss how you manage recipe documentation and keep track of multiple tasks. This will reassure them that you can handle the responsibilities of recipe management and support the stage-gate process effectively.
