At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead culinary innovation and support new business launches across diverse hospitality sectors.
- Company: Join Absolute Taste, a dynamic team redefining culinary experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-growing company that values creativity and fun at work.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in high-quality hospitality and strong passion for menu development.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Who Are Absolute Taste and What Do We Do? We are an innovative culinary and customer service provider, dedicated to delivering inspirational food and experiences that redefine customer satisfaction. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing boundaries, we continue to grow from strength to strength. As a small, dynamic team of event professionals, we specialize in creating exciting, well-managed, and sustainable events, while fostering strong working relationships. We're looking for individuals who share our fun, resilient, and hardworking values to join our supportive, high-performing team. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a highly regarded organisation dedicated to success and a positive, empowering culture.
About the Role: Absolute Taste is seeking a talented, organised and highly motivated Head Chef – New Business Mobilisation to support the Executive Head Chef in the successful onboarding, implementation and operational delivery of new business opportunities across our hospitality and food manufacturing portfolio. This role will support the development and mobilisation of new food concepts across multiple sectors including hotels, restaurants, visitor attractions, premium events, stadia, food manufacturing, travel catering and high street brands. The successful candidate will assist in translating culinary concepts into scalable, operationally effective and commercially viable food offers whilst maintaining the premium standards associated with the Absolute Taste brand. The role combines hands-on culinary support, New Product Development (NPD), operational implementation, documentation creation, manufacturing support and training delivery.
Your key responsibilities as Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation will be:
- Support the Executive Head Chef – New Business Mobilisation with all culinary mobilisation activity across new business openings and transitions.
- Assist with site openings, operational launches and food manufacturing onboarding projects.
- Support the implementation of operational standards and food specifications across new sites and production facilities.
- Assist with mobilisation timelines, launch preparation and operational readiness planning.
- Conduct site visits and operational assessments alongside senior culinary and operational teams.
- Support kitchen setup, menu implementation and operational testing during mobilisation periods.
New Product Development (NPD):
- Support the development of innovative and commercially viable food concepts across multiple hospitality sectors.
- Assist in preparing dishes for client tastings, presentations and menu development sessions.
- Work collaboratively with development chefs, operations teams and manufacturing teams to ensure food concepts are scalable and operationally practical.
- Assist in maintaining consistency and quality across all new menu launches.
- Stay informed on emerging food trends and hospitality innovation.
Food Manufacturing & Production Support:
- Support the integration of food manufacturing and central production processes into new business operations.
- Assist with batch recipe development, production specifications, yield testing, packaging trials, regeneration procedures, production trials and scale-up activity.
- Work alongside production and manufacturing teams to ensure consistency between development kitchens and manufacturing environments.
- Support compliance with BRC standards, HACCP procedures, food safety standards, and allergen management requirements.
- Assist with factory trials and operational validation exercises.
Operational Documentation & Standards:
- Assist in the creation and maintenance of operational documentation including How-To Sheets, Recipe Cards, Build Guides, Production Specifications, SOPs, Plating Guides, Kitchen Manuals, Training Documents, Allergen Information, and Regeneration Guides.
- Ensure all documentation is accurate, practical and aligned to operational requirements.
- Support standardisation of food quality and culinary processes across multiple sectors.
Training & Development Support:
- Support the delivery of culinary and operational training programmes for new business openings.
- Assist in training kitchen and production teams on menu execution, food presentation, production methods, service standards, regeneration procedures, brand standards, and allergen awareness.
- Provide hands-on support during launch periods and operational transitions.
- Assist with post-opening audits and operational follow-up visits.
Operational Support:
- Provide hands-on culinary support during mobilisation projects, launches and peak operational periods.
- Support troubleshooting and consistency challenges across new business operations.
- Work flexibly across multiple sites, sectors and operational environments.
- Assist with kitchen organisation, workflow planning and operational efficiencies.
- Support procurement and supply chain teams with product testing and supplier evaluations.
Commercial Responsibilities:
- Support the delivery of food offers in line with agreed GP targets and operational budgets.
- Assist with recipe costing and menu engineering exercises.
- Help identify opportunities for waste reduction and operational efficiencies.
- Support culinary preparation for tender presentations and client pitches.
What We’re Looking For:
- Proven experience as a Head/Regional/Senior Chef within high-quality hospitality operations.
- Experience working across multi-site hospitality or food production environments.
- Strong passion for innovation and menu development.
- Understanding of operational kitchen procedures and food production methods.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to work across multiple projects simultaneously.
- Hands-on, flexible and adaptable approach.
- Full clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively.
- Experience within food manufacturing or central production environments.
- Exposure to mobilisation, new openings or operational launches.
- Knowledge of allergen management and food safety procedures.
- Experience within premium hospitality, stadia or major events.
- Understanding of BRC or food manufacturing compliance standards.
Why Join Absolute Taste? Working with us means joining a fast-growing, innovative company that is redefining culinary and event experiences. You’ll be part of a supportive, resilient team that values creativity, development, and having fun at work.
What you’ll get:
- 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
- Company Pension Scheme
- Life assurance
- Thorough training and ongoing development
- A positive, empowering culture where your growth matters
We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.
Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation in Bicester employer: The Menu Partners
Absolute Taste is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and creativity in the culinary world, offering a vibrant work culture where teamwork and personal growth are at the forefront. With a commitment to excellence, employees benefit from comprehensive training, a supportive environment, and a generous holiday package, all while being part of a dynamic team that values resilience and fun. Join us in redefining culinary experiences and enjoy the unique opportunity to work across diverse sectors, contributing to exciting new business ventures.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation in Bicester
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like The Menu Partners. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to The Menu Partners
Don't be shy about reaching out to The Menu Partners directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - New Business Mobilisation in Bicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about The Menu Partners and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Menu Partners
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
