At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative food concepts and recipes in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join one of the UK's leading convenience food creators with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Exciting career growth, supportive leadership, and the freedom to unleash your creativity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of food with your culinary talent and passion for innovation.
- Qualifications: Experienced Chef with industry-recognised qualifications and a flair for creativity.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for travel and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Wisbech (with travel to other sites as required)
Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we’re one of the UK’s leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make everyday taste better. As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we’re proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US. Together, we bring delicious food to life. Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between. In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.
We are seeking a passionate and driven Development Chef to join our innovative team. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a talented culinary professional to apply their creativity and technical expertise within a fast-paced food manufacturing environment. Working closely with our Senior Development Chef and Head Chef, you will play a key role in developing new and inspiring food concepts, supporting kitchen trials, and contributing to the continuous evolution of our product range.
Key Responsibilities:- Develop innovative food concepts and recipes in line with customer briefs and market trends.
- Support the NPD process from concept to launch, ensuring high culinary and quality standards.
- Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including Technical, Process, and Commercial.
- Attend customer presentations and contribute to showcasing new ideas and developments.
- Provide culinary support during factory trials and product scale-up.
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of market and food trends.
- Experienced Chef with industry-recognised qualifications (e.g. NVQ, City & Guilds or equivalent).
- Minimum 3 years’ experience within a food manufacturing environment.
- Strong creative flair with a genuine passion for innovation and food trends.
- Self-motivated and organised, with the ability to work independently and within a team structure.
- Confident communicator with a collaborative approach.
- Flexible to travel, particularly to our Kiveton site and occasionally to other northern locations for trials, meetings, or customer presentations.
This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a dynamic and growing food business, where your ideas and culinary talent will help shape the future of our products. You’ll be supported by an experienced leadership team and have the freedom to bring your creativity to life.
Development Chef (9 month FTC) in Wisbech employer: Our Vacancies
Contact Detail:
Our Vacancies Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef (9 month FTC) in Wisbech
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at food events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary skills! Consider creating a portfolio of your best recipes and concepts. This will not only impress potential employers but also give them a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in working with them. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest food trends and innovations. Being knowledgeable about what’s hot in the culinary world shows your passion and commitment to the role. Plus, it’ll help you stand out from the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef (9 month FTC) in Wisbech
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When 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 your personality and passion for the industry.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Development Chef role. Highlight relevant experience in food manufacturing and any specific projects that showcase your creativity. We appreciate when applicants take the time to align their skills with our needs.
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’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively, so make sure your written application reflects that!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Our Vacancies
✨Know Your Ingredients
Make sure you brush up on your culinary knowledge, especially around the latest food trends and innovative ingredients. Being able to discuss how you can incorporate these into new recipes will show your passion and creativity.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to talk about your previous roles in food manufacturing. Highlight specific projects where you developed new concepts or worked on kitchen trials. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some practical questions or even a mini cooking challenge. Think about how you would approach developing a recipe from scratch based on a customer brief. This is your chance to shine and show off your culinary skills!
✨Communicate Confidently
Practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. You’ll need to present your concepts to customers and colleagues, so being a strong communicator is key. Consider doing mock interviews with friends to build your confidence.