At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead recipe development and create innovative dishes for PizzaExpress.
- Company: Join a fun and collaborative team at PizzaExpress.
- Benefits: Enjoy a vibrant work environment with opportunities for creativity and growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic kitchen at our Global Innovation Centre in Central London.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the food industry by developing standout menu items.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Development Chef with a passion for food innovation.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
About The Role
We’re looking for a hands‑on Development Chef to lead on new concept development, along with supporting cross‑category NPD and EPD within core PizzaExpress. You’ll be an avid foodie, obsessed with flavour, quality and execution, working within a like‑minded team. You’ll take ideas from concept through to launch, creating commercially strong, scalable recipes that deliver standout quality in a fast‑paced environment. This role plays a key part in building a distinctive, competitive menu that drives customer appeal and brand growth. Due to the nature of the role, this position will be based in the kitchen at our Global Innovation Centre in Central London.
What You’ll Do
- Concept & Recipe Development
- Lead end‑to‑end recipe development for new and existing menu items, from concept to launch
- Create dishes that are innovative, commercially viable and operationally simple
- Develop recipes for all new concepts and cross‑category development within the core brand
- Build a pipeline of new ideas to support ongoing menu innovation and seasonal activity
- Adapt recipes for delivery and to‑go formats
- Testing & Implementation
- Own kitchen testing, ensuring recipes are scalable, consistent and cost‑effective
- Support in‑market testing and new concept launches through training, content and restaurant visits
- Produce clear implementation decks to cascade key product to wider Restaurant Support teams
- Ensure systems and recipe platforms are accurately maintained
- Kitchen & Workflow Ownership
- Run and manage the test kitchen space day‑to‑day
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation and food safety
- Manage ingredient sourcing, stock levels and supplier coordination
- Prepare food for internal tastings, stakeholder sessions and external presentations
- Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with the Food Team, Technical, Finance, Supply Chain, Operations and suppliers to drive quality, cost and simplicity
- Partner with brand and marketing teams to support product launches and campaigns
- Build strong external networks to stay ahead of trends and innovation
- Contribute to the planning and execution of marketing activity across photoshoots and social content
- Innovation & Trends
- Monitor food trends, competitors and emerging concepts to inform menu development
- Bring fresh thinking and ideas that elevate the brand and drive category leadership
- Support the creation of innovative limited‑edition products that build cut‑through and brand excitement
What You’ll Need
- Strong experience as a Development Chef or similar within a fast‑paced food brand, ideally with QSR experience
- Passion for food innovation and quality, with a curious, flavour‑led mindset
- Proven track record of delivering new products from ideation to launch
- Commercial mindset with the ability to balance creativity, cost and scalability
- Hands‑on approach with confidence working independently in a test kitchen environment
- Experience managing suppliers and developing strong working relationships
- Excellent organisation and attention to detail across multiple projects
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders
- Flexibility to travel and be based in our development kitchen due to the nature of the role
- Strong knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office
Why PizzaExpress
At PizzaExpress, we live by our FOCUS (Fun, One Team, Community, Unique & Authentic and Simplicity) values, creating a fun and welcoming environment where everyone works as one team. We care deeply about our communities, celebrate individuality, and stay true to who we are. And we believe in keeping things simple, so every experience is authentic and effortless.
If you’re invited to interview, please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments so we can support you.
Development Chef employer: PizzaExpress
At PizzaExpress, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. As a Development Chef at our Global Innovation Centre in Central London, you'll enjoy the opportunity to innovate within a supportive team, while benefiting from professional growth and development in a fast-paced environment. With a commitment to quality and community, we ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our exciting culinary journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! If you want to land that Development Chef role, spend some time in the kitchen experimenting with flavours and recipes. Show us your passion for food innovation by creating a few standout dishes that reflect your unique style.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with other foodies and industry professionals on social media or at local events. Building relationships can open doors and give you insights into what’s trending in the culinary world.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to showcase your skills! When you get that interview, bring along a portfolio of your best recipes and any successful projects you've led. We love seeing how you’ve taken ideas from concept to launch!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of the PizzaExpress family. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace 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 experiences and what excites you about flavour and innovation. We want to see that you're not just a chef, but a true foodie at heart.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Highlight your relevant experience and skills without rambling. We appreciate clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you're the perfect fit for the Development Chef role.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Development Chef position. Mention your experience with recipe development and how you've successfully launched new products in the past. This shows us you understand what we're looking for!
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 gives you a chance to explore more about our values and culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at PizzaExpress
✨Know Your Flavours
As a Development Chef, your passion for food innovation is key. Make sure you research current food trends and have a few innovative ideas ready to discuss. Bring examples of flavours or concepts that excite you, and be prepared to explain how they could fit into PizzaExpress's menu.
✨Showcase Your Process
Be ready to walk through your recipe development process. Discuss how you take an idea from concept to launch, including any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your hands-on approach and ability to manage multiple projects effectively.
✨Collaboration is Key
Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to share examples of how you've collaborated with marketing, finance, and suppliers to bring a product to market. This shows you understand the importance of teamwork in a fast-paced environment.
✨Stay Organised and Detail-Oriented
In a test kitchen, organisation is crucial. Talk about your methods for maintaining cleanliness and managing stock levels. Mention any tools or systems you use to keep track of recipes and ingredient sourcing, as this will show your attention to detail and ability to run a kitchen efficiently.
