Recipe Development Chef

Our mission is to make healthy eating easy and for this we supply incredible, mindfully sourced ingredients to empower people to live healthier lives, whilst using our expertise to educate and reduce our environmental impact. An exciting opportunity to join the UK’s most loved recipe box company. Since starting in 2015 Mindful Chef has proudly delivered missions of nutritious meals nationwide. We’ve earned top spot on Trustpilot rankings making us officially the UK’s #1 rated recipe box and today we’re backed by the biggest food business in the world. This is a rare opportunity to join this close-knit food team driven by bold aspirations.

We are looking for an experienced, creative Recipe Development Chef, to craft some of our delicious, healthy recipes using premium sustainably sourced ingredients. As our Development Chef, you will also work cross-functionally with our buying team to secure the freshest and in-season ingredients as well as our marketing teams on our recipe writing style-guide.

You are:

• An accomplished chef with a track record of recipe creation, development, and writing.
• Proficient in the editorial aspects of recipe development.
• Exceptionally organised, adept at managing multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Meticulous with an eye for detail.
• A team player with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• A culinary enthusiast with a passion for food and a creative mindset.
• A skilled communicator comfortable engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
• Capable of providing constructive feedback during group recipe discussions.
• Background in nutrition is desirable but not mandatory.
• Experience in product development or new product development (NPD) is advantageous but not obligatory.

You will:

• Conceptualize, cost and prepare deliciously healthy recipes based on briefs and culinary trends.
• Conduct internal data research to analyse ingredient and recipe trends, using insights to inform recipe development.
• Improve existing recipes based on customer feedback to enhance quality and taste.
• Collaborate with the kitchen team to brainstorm innovative recipe ideas that align with customer preferences.
• Participate in meaningful group discussions at tasting sessions.
• Present and style dishes for recipe photography and promotional campaigns.
• Ensure accuracy in ordering for weekly testing and managing ingredient inventory in the Mindful Chef development kitchen.
• Uphold kitchen cleanliness and organisation standards.
• Adhere to weekly team and recipe deadlines with precision.
• Work closely with the Recipe Editor to refine recipe methods and uphold style guidelines.
• Contribute to the continual improvement of the food team processes, ensuring efficiency and innovation in recipe development and kitchen operations.
• Assist with NPD and EPD briefs, participating in ingredient testing, and onboarding.
• Support the food team handle recipe adjustments and ad hoc operational requests.
• Proof weekly recipe booklets as a final check before print, ensuring consistency in both recipe accuracy and presentation.

Why us?

We are a rapidly growing profitable B-Corp, this means you will be working for a purpose led company. Using your best skills, you will make a positive impact to the 3 “Ps”: profit, people and planet. We’ve built one of the most admired startups in the UK and won a whole bunch of awards. We have the backing of the largest food and beverage company in the world. Our lovely office in Wandsworth is meant to feel like home: you will have free breakfast, lunch and snacks, a gym with Peloton bikes, a vertical farm and if you have a furry friend at home, they are welcome too. We also take your well-being seriously with free Vitality health insurance, discounted Calm and FIIT apps, lots of mental health first-aiders, daily sunshine hour, and a structured mental health calendar for the whole year. Holidays: you will have a total of 38 days’ holidays per year, where 5 days can be rolled over each year. It is important to switch off. Who doesn’t love a discount? You will get a 50% discount on all Mindful Chef products: recipe boxes, frozen meals, smoothies, soups, breakfast and desserts. Your newborn is special: 6 months full pay primary parental leave, 6 weeks full pay secondary parental leave.

The process:

• Meet the talent team - 30 mins informative session via google meet.
• Meet the Senior Recipe Developer - 30 minutes technical interview via google meet.
• Time to cook - the final round will be an assessment day in person so we can try some of your delicious recipe creations.