Sector: Global QSR / Fast-Casual Brand
About the Business
Our client is a globally recognised restaurant group that has redefined what “fast food” means real ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and a deep commitment to sustainability and food integrity.
Their European business continues to expand, and they are now seeking a Director of Food, Europe, a senior culinary professional to act as the custodian of quality, ensuring the brand’s food standards are upheld across all European markets.
This is not a menu development or creative R&D role. It’s a guardianship position protecting consistency, precision and brand integrity, ensuring the food served in every European restaurant reflects the same flavour, quality, and care as it does anywhere else in the world.
The Opportunity
The Director of Food will lead all aspects of culinary execution across the UK and Europe, working at the intersection of operations, supply chain, and food safety. You will translate global culinary standards into scalable, repeatable processes across diverse markets.
You’ll collaborate closely with international colleagues and regional suppliers to ensure every ingredient and process meets exacting global specifications, while adapting thoughtfully to local legislation, sourcing realities, and consumer expectations.
This is a role for someone who finds fulfilment not in reinventing recipes, but in perfecting them ensuring that food served at scale still feels hand-crafted, honest, and full of integrity.
Key Responsibilities
* Safeguard Global Standards: Maintain and operationalise global culinary specifications, ensuring total consistency of taste, texture, and presentation across Europe.
* Supplier Collaboration: Work closely with European and international suppliers to deliver on the brand’s high expectations for food safety, sustainability, and ethical sourcing.
* Culinary Leadership: Drive food knowledge and capability across regional operations through hands-on teaching, tastings, and coaching.
* Commercialisation: Oversee the adaptation of global recipes for local markets, ensuring ingredient equivalency and large-scale production readiness.
* Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Operations, Food Safety, Supply Chain, and Marketing to deliver culinary initiatives seamlessly.
* Quality Assurance: Support process audits, tasting sessions, and product validations to guarantee an exceptional guest experience.
* Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement process innovations that improve consistency, efficiency, and cost management without compromising quality.
Person Profile
We’re looking for a leader who combines culinary passion with operational excellence.
You’ll have a background in multi-unit food operations, ideally across several European markets, and a deep understanding of commercialisation, supplier management, and quality assurance.
You’ll be fluent in the language of both kitchens and boardrooms equally comfortable in chef whites as in an executive presentation.
Above all, you’ll be someone who takes pride in doing things properly: food that’s honest, traceable, and prepared with care.
Essential experience:
* 10+ years’ progressive culinary leadership, including multi-country exposure.
* Experience in large-scale food production or commercialisation.
* Deep knowledge of food safety, food science, and quality assurance standards.
* Proven success partnering with suppliers and operations teams to maintain consistency at scale.
* Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
* Strong project management and process development capabilities.
* Fluent English required; additional European languages desirable.