At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative sushi dishes and collaborate with clients to refine recipes.
- Company: Join Taiko, a leading sushi manufacturer with a passion for food innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, wellness support, and discounts on dining.
- Other info: Opportunity to contribute to sustainability initiatives and enjoy trips to Japan.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team shaping the future of sushi in the UK.
- Qualifications: Experience in Japanese cuisine and product development is essential.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 51500 £ per year.
Contract: Full Time
Salary: £46,000 - £51,500
Contracted Hours: 40
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 with 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
- Group Personal Pension
- 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 and all our seafood, therefore we only use source sustainable 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
- 50 major retail partners
- 3700 locations
Development Chef in Acton employer: The Wonderfield Group
Taiko is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and innovative work culture, particularly for those passionate about Japanese cuisine. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer opportunities for career advancement through our apprentice programme, alongside comprehensive support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Our dedication to sustainability and community engagement, coupled with unique perks like dining discounts and annual awards celebrating success, makes Taiko a rewarding place to build your career as a Development Chef.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in Acton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn and attend food innovation events. We can’t stress enough how important it is to build relationships in the culinary world, especially when you're aiming for a role like Development Chef.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of your sushi creations or any innovative dishes, bring it along to interviews. We love seeing creativity in action, so don’t hold back on showcasing your culinary masterpieces.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! As a Development Chef, you'll need to present your ideas to clients. We recommend doing mock presentations with friends or family to get comfortable and confident before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate chefs who want to innovate and grow with us at Taiko.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in Acton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Japanese Cuisine:When you're writing your application, let your love for Japanese food shine through! Share any experiences you've had with sushi or Japanese cooking, and how they’ve shaped your culinary journey. We want to see that spark of creativity and passion in your words.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in product development and working with clients. Mention specific projects or dishes you've developed that align with our focus on innovation in sushi and Food To Go products. This helps us see how you fit into our team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, especially those related to sushi preparation and client interactions. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
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 to join our team at Taiko!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Wonderfield Group
✨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 unique sushi concepts or recipes you've developed in the past. Bring along samples if possible, or be ready to describe your thought process behind creating innovative dishes that cater to client needs.
✨Understand Client Needs
Demonstrate your ability to take client feedback and turn it into commercially viable products. Think of examples where you've successfully adapted a dish based on client input and be prepared to discuss these during the interview.
✨Engage with Passion
Let your passion for food innovation shine through. Be enthusiastic about the role and the company’s commitment to sustainability. Share your thoughts on how you can contribute to their award-winning initiatives and why you want to be part of their team.
