The Kitchen & Co.
Development Chef
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Job Title – Development Chef (DC)
Reports to – Head Chef (HC) & Group Executive Chef (GEC)
Location – Based at our Banbury HQ (OX17) with travel across our partnered venues in Oxfordshire and the Midlands as required.
Salary – Circa £48,000
Job Description
The Development Chef will lead the creative development of The Kitchen & Co's culinary offering, helping shape the future direction and identity of our food across the business. Responsible for the creation, testing and implementation of new dishes, menus and concepts, the Development Chef will ensure every product is innovative, commercially viable, operationally deliverable and produced to the exceptional standards expected of The Kitchen & Co.
Working closely with the Head Chef, Group Executive Chef and wider operational teams, this role will bridge the gap between development and delivery, ensuring new products are successfully implemented across all venues whilst maintaining consistency, profitability and an exceptional guest experience.
How we work
As a Team we are all expected to work daily with the same shared core values. Our Mission and Vision are what sets our standards, our beliefs in what and how we do it. Trust, respect, communication & teamwork is embodied by One House.
Vision – To create the WOW for all of our guests, team and partners through exceptional hospitality. The recipe for this is simple; with love and care, add amazing people to outstanding food and drink…mix well and enjoy!
Mission – To deliver the highest standards of hospitality to our clients and guests. Creatively, consistently and with joy!
One House – This is how we work together and get things done at The Kitchen & Co.
Culinary Development
If you are reading this then it is expected and a given that you are a talented and highly creative chef. You will lead the creative development of The Kitchen & Co's food offering and help shape the future of our culinary direction and identity. You will research, develop and test innovative dishes, menus and concepts that reflect our brand whilst remaining commercially viable. You will be highly creative and remain up to date with current culinary trends, ingredients and techniques. You will possess a strong understanding of different market sectors and have the ability to create exceptional food across a variety of styles and market positions. You will create, update and maintain detailed recipe specifications to ensure consistency across all venues. You will continually seek opportunities to improve our culinary offering through innovation and continuous development. You will work closely with the Head Chef and Group Executive Chef on seasonal menu development and future food strategies.
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Client Experience
You will take responsibility for planning, preparing and delivering all client tastings to the highest standard. You will confidently present concepts, menus and dishes to prospective and existing clients. You will build strong relationships with clients, acting as a key culinary liaison throughout the development process. You will work closely with the sales and events teams to create bespoke culinary experiences where required. Excellent people skills and professionalism are essential, particularly when working with VIP clients and venue partners.
Communication & Leadership
You are expected to be an excellent communicator. The ability to communicate effectively with both front and back of house teams is fundamental to this role. You will act as the bridge between kitchen operations, event delivery and client expectations. You will be a natural leader with the proven ability to train, inspire and develop members of the kitchen team. You will support the implementation of new menus and ensure all teams fully understand recipes, specifications and production methods. You will always demonstrate the principles of One House together with the Company Vision and Mission.
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Commercial Awareness & Administration
You will possess a strong and demonstrable understanding of food costing, margins and commercial decision making. You will ensure all new dishes are financially viable whilst maintaining exceptional quality. You will have excellent administration skills, producing accurate recipe specifications, costing documents, allergen information and development records. You will work collaboratively with operational teams to ensure products are practical, efficient and profitable to produce.
Operational Standards
You will create, standardise and implement new production and service processes that improve consistency, quality and efficiency across the business. You will ensure all recipes and specifications can be consistently delivered across multiple venues. You will support menu launches, training and implementation at our partnered venues. You will travel as required to support operations, quality assurance and client tastings. You will ensure all food safety legislation, allergen management and company standards are incorporated into every stage of product development.
Innovation
Innovation sits at the heart of this role. You will continually identify new ingredients, techniques and culinary trends that strengthen The Kitchen & Co's reputation. You will inspire creativity throughout the business whilst ensuring every idea is practical, deliverable and commercially successful.
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