At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative sushi dishes and recipes in a hands-on development kitchen.
- Company: Join Taiko, the UK's leading sushi manufacturer with a passion for food innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy career growth, health perks, discounts, and a chance to win trips to Japan.
- Other info: Contribute to sustainability initiatives and enjoy a vibrant workplace culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of sushi and Japanese cuisine.
- Qualifications: Experience in Japanese cuisine and product development is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Established in 1997 as the first manufacturer of sushi for the UK supermarket industry, Taiko has evolved into the most innovative manufacturer of Sushi, Food To Go, Prepared Meals and Snacking products in the UK, supplying Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s to name a few. Over the past 25 years Taiko has launched more first to market Sushi and Food to Go products than any other sushi manufacturer in the UK.
About You:
- Must have experience working with Japanese cuisine, ideally in a development role focused on creating new sushi products and recipes
- Strong technical knowledge of sushi preparation, ingredients, and flavour profiles
- A deep understanding of Japanese culture and culinary traditions
- Experience working with product development and manufacturing processes
- Ability to take client feedback and translate it into commercially viable products
- Creative, detail‑oriented, and passionate about food innovation
- Confident working directly with clients and presenting concepts
Key Responsibilities:
- This is a hands‑on, creative position working from our development kitchen, where you’ll play a key role in shaping and refining our sushi and Japanese food offering.
- You’ll work closely with a variety of clients to:
- Develop new sushi dishes and recipes from concept through to production
- Tailor and adapt menus to suit different client requirements
- Produce samples and manage the end‑to‑end development process
- Present dishes to clients, conduct tastings, and gather feedback
- Refine ingredients, flavours, and textures based on client needs
- Work closely with manufacturing teams to ensure successful scale‑up
- Continuously test, improve, and relaunch products where needed
We're proud to offer:
- Opportunity to grow your career alongside us with available apprentice program
- Brilliant support services designed to enhance your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
- Annual discretionary bonus subject to business and overall performance
- Discretionary Life Assurance
- Discretionary Income Protection
- Private Medical Cash Plan
- Bespoke reward platform including access to retail, cinema & gym discounts.
- 50% off your food every time you dine with us for you and 3 friends.
- Contribute towards our award‑winning sustainability initiatives that delivers progress against 9 UN sustainability goals.
- We’re committed to responsibly sourcing all our seafood, therefore we only use sustainably sourced fish.
- All our packaging is recyclable and 80% of our packaging is already made from recycled plastic.
- Annual Awards ceremony celebrating our success and offering winning Managers free trips to Japan.
About us:
Come roll with us and be part of something big. Celebrate global success across:
- Over 1500 retail kiosks globally (YO!, Panku, Mai Taiko Snowfox & Bento)
- Our Taiko manufacturing and distribution centre
- 63 YO! restaurants
- 3700 locations globally
- From Hawaii to Aberdeen
Our Values:
- Think like an owner.
- Be passionate.
- Speak openly.
- Move fast, together.
Ready to Roll? Come roll with us and play a key role by bringing people together to celebrate better food for everyone the Japanese way...
Development Chef in London employer: Taiko
At Taiko, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of sushi innovation in the UK, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Development Chef, you'll have the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to our award-winning sustainability initiatives, all within a supportive environment that values employee wellbeing and celebrates success. Join us in our mission to deliver exceptional Japanese cuisine and enjoy unique benefits like discounts on dining and opportunities for international travel.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food industry, especially those who work with sushi or Japanese cuisine. Attend food fairs, culinary events, or even local sushi-making classes to meet potential employers and showcase your passion.
✨Tip Number 2
Get hands-on! If you can, volunteer or intern in kitchens that focus on Japanese cuisine. This not only boosts your experience but also gives you a chance to show off your skills and creativity directly to those who matter.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to present! When you land an interview, come prepared with ideas for new sushi dishes or concepts. Show them your understanding of flavour profiles and how you can innovate their menu – it’s all about making a memorable impression!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with Japanese cuisine and your passion for food innovation – let’s roll together!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Japanese Cuisine:When writing your application, let your love for Japanese food shine through! Share your experiences with sushi and how they’ve shaped your culinary journey. We want to see that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about the role.
Highlight Your Development Experience:Make sure to detail your previous roles in product development, especially if you've worked on sushi or similar products. We’re looking for someone who can take client feedback and turn it into delicious, commercially viable dishes, so give us examples of how you’ve done this before!
Be Creative and Detail-Oriented:This role is all about innovation, so don’t hold back on showcasing your creative flair! Include any unique recipes or concepts you’ve developed in the past. We love details, so make sure to describe the thought process behind your creations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Taiko!
How to prepare for a job interview at Taiko
✨Know Your Sushi Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of sushi preparation, ingredients, and flavour profiles. Be ready to discuss your experience with Japanese cuisine and how it influences your creative process in developing new dishes.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to present some innovative sushi concepts or recipes you've developed in the past. Bring along samples if possible, as this will not only demonstrate your skills but also give you a chance to gather feedback directly from the interviewers.
✨Understand Client Needs
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve taken client feedback in the past and turned it into successful products. Think of specific examples where you adapted recipes or menus to meet client requirements, showcasing your ability to listen and innovate.
✨Embrace the Culture
Since this role involves a deep understanding of Japanese culture, be ready to talk about how this influences your cooking style. Share any experiences you have that connect you to Japanese culinary traditions, as this will show your passion for the cuisine.
