At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative Asian recipes and manage kitchen operations for product development.
- Company: Join itsu, a leading healthy eating brand with global ambitions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, health insurance, and generous employee discounts.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace encouraging applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of fast food with your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Passion for Asian cuisine and experience in a professional kitchen.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The ideal candidate:
- A passion for Asian food and an obsessed foodie
- Experience working in a professional kitchen, restaurant or development kitchen
- Be able to work in a small team and individually
- Highly organised and self-motivated individual
About us:
itsu is the healthy eating, Asian inspired quick service retail & grocery brand with over 70 stores in the UK and a leading grocery business across Europe and beyond. Renowned for its best-in-class food made fresh in every shop every day, itsu has huge global ambitions with a commitment to continue to open many more stores and intensify the growth of its already thriving grocery arm. With its best-in-class healthy food, latest technology, innovation, and talented workforce, itsu is the future of fast food.
itsu [grocery], which this role falls under, takes the itsu brand into supermarkets, health food stores, online, wholesale and internationally with products such as crispy seaweed thins, frozen gyoza & bao, brilliant broth, rice noodles & miso easy to name a few.
Scope of the role:
Itsu [grocery] are looking for a Kitchen Developer to be responsible for recipe innovation and supporting the Senior NPD Manager on delivering products from ideation to sign off at Gate 2. The successful candidate will have day to day management of the kitchen and ingredient store and be responsible for cooking up the product range and samples as per requests.
Product innovation:
- Makes up recipes to meet the brief from the Senior NPD Manager and pro-actively considers how to approach, providing alternative ideas that are commercially viable and scalable.
- Accurately documents kitchen recipes, methods and briefs out to suppliers.
- Works with the Senior NPD Managers and suppliers to review sample submissions and provides feedback.
- Pro-actively arranges tasting of samples developed or samples requested.
- Keeps up to date with food trends related to the category and new products that emerge within retail and restaurants.
Kitchen management:
- Maintains a tidy, organised and clean kitchen.
- Ensures all ingredients required to produce kitchen samples for live NPD projects are maintained in stock.
- Supports with the general NPD shopping list, keeping the rest of the team pro-actively updated on ability to source required ingredients / samples.
- Cooks up products and dishes as per requests for business meetings.
- Organises and supports products for external customer meetings.
What we offer:
- Competitive salary
- Competitive bonus scheme
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (two bank holidays are interchangeable for other religious holidays)
- Health insurance
- Company pension scheme
- 50% employee discount in itsu shops
- Free itsu lunch
- Discounts at major retailers
- A sizeable training budget to support your ongoing development
Development Chef - London employer: itsu
itsu is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, perfect for passionate foodies eager to innovate in the Asian cuisine space. With a commitment to employee growth through a sizeable training budget and competitive benefits like health insurance and generous discounts, itsu offers a rewarding environment for Development Chefs looking to make their mark in a rapidly expanding company. Located in London, you'll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating best-in-class healthy food while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef - London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know itsu and their products inside out! Dive into their website and social media to understand their brand, values, and the latest food trends. This will help you connect your passion for Asian food with what they’re all about during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former itsu employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role. Personal connections can give you an edge in the application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for practical tests! As a Development Chef, you might be asked to showcase your cooking skills or come up with innovative recipes. Practice your techniques and think creatively about how to impress them with your culinary flair.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 team!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When you're writing your application, let your love for Asian cuisine shine through! Share any personal experiences or dishes that inspire you. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but a true foodie at heart.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience in professional kitchens and any relevant projects you've worked on. We’re looking for someone who can bring their unique flair to our team!
Keep It Neat and Professional:Remember to keep your application tidy and professional. Since we’re all about organisation, make sure your documents are well-structured and easy to read. A clean presentation reflects your kitchen skills too!
Apply Anonymously:Don’t forget to follow our D&I guidelines! Remove your full name, university details, and any personal photos from your CV and cover letter. We want to focus on your skills and experience, so let’s keep it anonymous!
How to prepare for a job interview at itsu
✨Show Your Passion for Asian Cuisine
Make sure to express your love for Asian food during the interview. Share specific dishes you enjoy cooking or eating, and discuss any experiences you've had with Asian culinary techniques. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and align with itsu's brand values.
✨Highlight Your Kitchen Experience
Be ready to talk about your previous roles in professional kitchens. Share examples of how you've contributed to recipe development or kitchen management. This will help the interviewers see that you have the hands-on experience needed for the Development Chef position.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since the role requires a highly organised individual, prepare to discuss how you manage your time and tasks in a busy kitchen environment. You could mention tools or methods you use to keep everything running smoothly, which will show that you're self-motivated and capable of handling the responsibilities of the job.
✨Stay Updated on Food Trends
Research current food trends, especially those related to Asian cuisine and grocery products. Bring up any recent innovations or popular items in the market during your interview. This shows that you're proactive and passionate about staying ahead in the industry, which is crucial for a role focused on product innovation.
