Assistant Development Chef

Location: South Nutfield

Some kitchens teach you how to cook. Others teach you how to create.

This is an opportunity to step into a development environment where ideas move quickly from concept to customer, and where food innovation sits at the heart of everything. Working with an established and highly regarded food business, this role offers hands‑on exposure to the full new product development journey within a fast‑paced, commercially focused setting.

Role Overview

As Assistant Development Chef, you’ll support the Development Chef in bringing new food concepts to life. The role blends kitchen‑based development with structured NPD processes, giving you the chance to build your technical capability while contributing directly to live projects for agreed markets and existing clients. You’ll be immersed in product trials, tastings and presentations, while also playing a key role in keeping the development kitchen operating to the highest standards.

Key Accountabilities

* Supporting the Development Chef and wider culinary team to interpret briefs, timelines and cost parameters

* Producing high‑quality food samples for internal reviews, customer presentations and manufacturer trials

* Assisting with the preparation, development and refinement of new product concepts in line with agreed briefs and brand standards

* Setting up, supporting and cleaning down for tastings, reviews and customer presentations

* Maintaining organisation, cleanliness and safe operation of the development kitchen in line with Health & Safety requirements

* Managing day‑to‑day kitchen duties including hygiene, equipment cleaning, stock control, stock rotation, ordering and labelling

* Building strong working relationships internally and externally, demonstrating enthusiasm for food innovation

* Learning and following the full product development process, including stage gates and required documentation

People Profile

* Experience working as a chef within a professional kitchen environment

* A genuine passion for food, flavour and global food trends

* Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety qualification

* Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment

* Basic IT skills including Word, Excel and Power Point

* Confident communication skills and a collaborative, team‑focused approach

* An interest in developing a long‑term career within food innovation and product development

Behind the scenes, you’ll be joining a business with a strong reputation for quality, innovation and service. Sustainability, people and product excellence are embedded into how the business operates day to day.

We regret we can not offer visa sponsorship and can only consider candidates who hold right to work in the UK.

To apply , please e‑mail in strict confidence, with a comprehensive CV, including salary details, quoting the above reference and for the attention of James Constable.

Due to a high volume of responses, we cannot reply to each application individually. If you have not had a response within one week, we are sorry to say your application has not been successful on this occasion