At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative sushi dishes and refine recipes in a hands-on kitchen environment.
- Company: Join Taiko, the UK's leading sushi manufacturer with a rich history of innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, wellness support, and discounts on dining.
- Other info: Contribute to sustainability initiatives and enjoy annual awards celebrating success.
- 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 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
Development Chef in London 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 commitment to employee growth through apprenticeship programmes and a range of wellbeing support services, Taiko not only values creativity in product development but also prioritises sustainability and community engagement. Enjoy unique perks such as generous dining discounts and the chance to celebrate achievements at annual awards ceremonies, all while contributing to a company that leads the market in sushi and food innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty! If you want to land that Development Chef role, spend some time in the kitchen experimenting with Japanese cuisine. Create your own sushi recipes and document the process. This not only sharpens your skills but also gives you something tangible to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend food industry events or workshops focused on Japanese cuisine. Connect with chefs and industry professionals on social media. You never know who might have a lead on a job or be able to offer you valuable advice.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! When you get the chance to present your ideas, make sure to highlight your unique flavour combinations and innovative concepts. Tailor your presentations to reflect the client’s needs, and don’t shy away from showcasing your passion for food innovation.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Make sure your application reflects your understanding of Japanese culinary traditions and your experience in product development. Let’s roll together towards success!
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef in London
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 other Japanese dishes, and how they inspire your creativity in the kitchen.
Highlight Your Development Experience:Make sure to emphasise your experience in product development. Talk about specific projects where you’ve created new recipes or adapted existing ones, and how you’ve worked with clients to bring their ideas to life.
Be Detail-Oriented:We love a keen eye for detail! In your application, mention how you ensure quality in your work, whether it’s perfecting flavours or refining textures. This shows us you’re serious about delivering top-notch products.
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 get to know you better. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
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 how you approach this process.
✨Engage with Passion
Let your passion for food innovation shine through during the interview. Share stories about your culinary journey and how Japanese culture has influenced your cooking style. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show them you're a great fit for their team.
