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 since 1997.
- 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.
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 Sainsburys 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 employer: YO! Sushi
At Taiko, we pride ourselves on being an innovative leader in the sushi and food-to-go market, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Development Chef, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape our product offerings while benefiting from comprehensive support for your personal and professional growth, including a bespoke reward platform and a commitment to sustainability. Join us in our Acton location, where your passion for Japanese cuisine will be celebrated and rewarded, alongside exciting career advancement opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Development Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend food fairs, and join culinary groups. The more people you know in the sushi and food innovation scene, the better your chances of landing that Development Chef role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best sushi creations and innovative recipes. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, having something tangible to share can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience with Japanese cuisine and how you can contribute to their team. Confidence is key when presenting your ideas and concepts to clients or hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing passionate candidates who are eager to join our team. Make sure to keep an eye on our job listings and apply directly for the best chance at getting noticed.
We think you need these skills to ace Development Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Japanese Cuisine:When writing your application, let your love for Japanese food shine through! Share any experiences you have with sushi or Japanese culinary traditions, as this will resonate with us and show that you're a great fit for the Development Chef role.
Be Specific About Your Experience:We want to know about your hands-on experience in product development. Highlight specific projects where you've created new dishes or adapted recipes, especially if they relate to sushi. This will help us see how you can contribute to our innovative team.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for this role. Use keywords from the job description, like 'client feedback' and 'commercially viable products', to demonstrate that you understand what we're looking for and how you can meet those needs.
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 shows that you’re proactive and keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at YO! Sushi
✨Know Your Sushi Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of sushi preparation, ingredients, and flavour profiles. Being able to discuss the nuances of Japanese cuisine will show that you're not just passionate but also well-informed.
✨Showcase Your Creativity
Prepare to present some innovative sushi concepts or recipes you've developed in the past. Bring along a portfolio or samples if possible, as this will demonstrate your hands-on experience and creativity in product development.
✨Understand Client Needs
Be ready to discuss how you've taken client feedback in the past and turned it into successful products. This shows that you can adapt and tailor your creations to meet specific requirements, which is crucial for this role.
✨Engage with Passion
During the interview, let your passion for food innovation shine through. Share stories about your experiences in the kitchen and how they’ve shaped your culinary journey. A genuine enthusiasm for the role can set you apart from other candidates.
