Development Chef

Are you a creative, commercially minded chef with a passion for food innovation? Do you thrive in a fast‑paced development kitchen, love experimenting with new ideas, and enjoy presenting concepts to customers? We’re looking for a Development Chef to join our growing team and play a key role in shaping the next generation of products for retail and foodservice customers. About the Role As a Development Chef, you will be responsible for driving culinary creativity from concept to launch. You’ll work closely with NPD, technical and commercial teams to develop exciting, commercially viable products that meet customer expectations and market trends. Your role will include: * Leading cooking sessions for customer panels, presentations, launches and internal tastings * Developing new products from customer briefs and creating innovative concepts where appropriate * Keeping ahead of food trends and sharing insights with the wider team * Supporting innovation projects across multiple sites * Ensuring all recipes and specifications are accurately transferred into NPD formats * Managing ingredients and equipment for development work in line with company policies * Building strong relationships with internal teams and external customers * Maintaining high kitchen standards, hygiene and organisation * Overseeing and supporting kitchen assistants * Managing your diary and travel to meet business needs This is a hands‑on, creative role where no two days are the same. About You We’re looking for someone who brings: * Strong culinary skills and a genuine passion for food * Creative flair and an understanding of food trends across retail and foodservice * Experience in product development, menu development or a similar environment * Good organisational and project‑management skills * Ability to multitask and prioritise across multiple briefs * Strong communication and presentation skills * Confidence working with customers and internal stakeholders * Understanding of confidentiality and professionalism in all projects * Knowledge of meat and added‑value categories is beneficial but not essential If you love developing great food, enjoy working collaboratively, and want to see your ideas come to life on shelves or menus, we’d love to hear from you