Exclusive - Development Chef (Michelin or AA Rosette exposure required) - Food Brand
This role takes the skill, instinct and standards of a fine-dining kitchen and uses them to shape the recipes behind a much-loved food brand. No manufacturing background is required, just genuine culinary talent and a hunger to see your food reach far more people than any single restaurant ever could, with a far more regular working week than fine dining allows.
Zest is recruiting a Development Chef to join the food team behind a well-established food brand, creating and refining recipes that carry real chef-level quality. Working closely with the wider development team, you will take dishes from first idea through to launch, bringing restaurant-calibre thinking to food that reaches thousands of tables. This is a genuine career shift for a chef who wants their creativity to live beyond a single service, always pushing for that "wow" factor and bringing real culinary authority into a business built on food passion.
As Development Chef, you will develop and continually refine recipes, identify new ingredients and techniques, and present ideas at internal tastings, telling the story behind each dish to stakeholders including senior leadership. You will lead the early, exploratory stage of new projects, set the quality benchmark through regular tastings, and work alongside procurement and technical colleagues on sourcing and scale-up, while you focus on the food itself. You will also help build food culture across the business through tastings, trend reviews and chef training days.
You will bring Michelin-starred or AA Rosette kitchen experience, exceptional culinary skill and a genuine love of food. No manufacturing or FMCG background is needed, full support and training is given as you make the move. Confident communication and presentation skills are essential, along with strong organisation, attention to detail and a creative, collaborative attitude.
In return, you will get standard working hours, a role with a B Corp business built on quality and sustainability, an annual bonus, flexible bank holidays, strong pension contributions and genuine learning and development opportunities.
Please note sponsorship is not available for this role and all candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
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Exclusive -Development Chef (Michelin/ AA Rosette exposure) in City of London employer: Zest Recruitment
Join a dynamic and growing food importer and distributor that values its employees and fosters a collaborative work culture. As a National Account Manager, you will benefit from comprehensive training, exposure to an exciting product range, and opportunities for international travel, all while enjoying a supportive team environment and a clear path for career progression. With 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays and a company car, this role offers not just a job, but a meaningful career in the thriving food industry.
