Overview
We are an innovative culinary and customer service provider, dedicated to delivering inspirational food and experiences that redefine customer satisfaction. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing boundaries, we continue to grow from strength to strength.
As a small, dynamic team of event professionals, we specialize in creating exciting, well-managed, and sustainable events, while fostering strong working relationships. We're looking for individuals who share our fun, resilient, and hardworking values to join our supportive, high-performing team.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a highly regarded organisation dedicated to success and a positive, empowering culture.
About The Role
We are seeking an experienced Junior Development Chef with strong Food Service and Hospitality experience. You’ll play a key role in shaping, testing, and elevating dishes that deliver the premium, guest‑focused experience we’re known for.
Work Location: Bicester
As a Junior Development Chef your key responsibilities will be:
* Working with our NPD Head Chef to create new, seasonal menu propositions for our travel clients, considering production, regeneration of the food and shelf-life restrictions
* Ensure all recipes can be produced on a medium to large-scale volume with keeping consistency
* Optimising ingredients and procedures to minimize human inaccuracies
* Work with local suppliers to ensure the sourcing of fresh ingredients for the business
* Supporting with typing up of recipes and costings where required
* Monitor trends and develop recipes in accordance with customer demands and response
* Maintaining the ongoing development of new and existing quality products – working closely with existing and new customers
* Support with taking product from concept to launch with in the operation’s current capabilities
* Basic understanding of food cost, knowledge of high-cost ingredients versus lower costs
* Work closely with production teams across capabilities – taking new products into production as well as assist on existing products – review process and assist with updating process and or problem solving
* Work closely with Procurement, Technical team & commercial team/ account managers
* Conduct Shelf-life testing
* Sample making, as well as always maintain excellent standards in NPD kitchen, you will also be involved in collection of ingredients and day-to-day housekeeping.
* Define, implement, and monitor process to ensure compliance to all health and regulation requirements
* Managing and updating knowledge management systems in line with the quality standards and protocols
* Customer facing - from product presentations to cooking and presenting lunches/ dinners for clients – a natural good host making a mean cup of tea!
What We Are Looking For:
* Min 1 years’ experience as a chef
* Work in fast-paced environment with short lead times
* Ability to work from very specific briefs
* Must be a passionate foodie and have outstanding food knowledge and ability to demonstrate natural flair with a good pallet – basically you must love food and cooking!
* Have the ability to bring whole concepts together as well as working on silo products
* Ability to quickly learn the capabilities of the current operation and work alongside the capabilities when developing products for our demanding customers
* Must have an eye for detail and with good organization skills
* Good all-round knowledge of cuisines from around the world
* Good all-round knowledge of various cooking techniques and production processes
* Up to date with latest food trends and innovative food orientated mindset
* Ability to work on own projects as well as part of a team on larger projects
* Problem solving, think on feet
* Computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft excel, PowerPoint and word.
Why Join Us
Join a fast-growing and innovative company that is redefining customer experiences in the culinary and event space. We offer an empowering team culture, the opportunity to work on exciting, well-managed events, and a supportive, resilient team environment.
We are committed to supporting your career growth with thorough training and ongoing development.
You can also enjoy benefits such as:
* 25 Days holiday + Bank Holiday
* Company Pension Scheme
* Life Assurance
If you’re ready to make an impact in a fast-paced environment and contribute to the success of Absolute Taste, apply today and join our team!
We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.
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