Job Title: Development Chef
Location: Central London
Contract Type: Full-time
Working Hours: 40 hours per week
Working Days: Monday – Friday
Shift Pattern: Mainly daytime hours with occasional flexibility for events
Holiday Entitlement: 25 days plus Bank Holidays
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic and highly creative Development Chef to lead culinary innovation across our business. Working closely with our Head of Food Operations and site culinary teams, you will design and implement exciting new food concepts that deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining commercial and brand alignment.
This role plays a key part in shaping our evolving product offer — leading menu development, chef training programmes, and supporting event hospitality. You’ll bring fresh thinking, trend awareness, and a passion for sustainability, ensuring our menus remain relevant and inspiring.
Key Responsibilities
* Design innovative, seasonal menu concepts that reflect current food trends
* Deliver hands‑on culinary training, chef workshops, and development sessions
* Collaborate with site teams to support seamless rollouts of new menus and concepts
* Support chefs participating in industry competitions and food events
* Lead menu creation and execution for VIP client events and hospitality functions
* Manage catering production for large-scale and charity events
* Conduct market research to support strategy and product development
* Support mobilisation of new sites and special event activations
* Champion culinary excellence and consistency across all locations
What We’re Looking For
* Proven experience in menu development or culinary innovation roles
* Strong technical cooking skills with creative flair
* Confident in delivering training and engaging diverse chef teams
* Commercial mindset with understanding of cost control and menu profitability
* Excellent communication, planning, and organisational abilities
* Able to balance creative ideas with realistic operational rollout
* Personable and confident communicator with clients and partners
* Adaptable and calm under pressure, with strong time management skills
Benefits
* Competitive salary with opportunity to influence the future of our food offering
* Development opportunities and career progression within Bennett Hay
* Supportive, engaging, and creative working culture
* Access to wellbeing resources and colleague benefits
Start Date
ASAP / To be confirmed with successful candidate
About Bennett Hay
At Bennett Hay, we are known for delivering exceptional guest service and creating memorable experiences across London. Our personalised approach ensures every detail is perfect for our clients and their guests. As proud recipients of the Investors in People Gold accreditation, we are committed to the wellbeing and professional growth of our colleagues.
If you’re passionate about food innovation and love creating memorable culinary experiences, we’d love to hear from you!
Please do not call our Head Office for vacancy related questions, as our HR Recruitment team is not always on site and prefer emails.
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