Elior – A Workplace That Works for You

Are you a passionate culinary leader who thrives on innovation, operational excellence, and creating exceptional dining experiences? We're looking for a Development Chef to help shape and elevate our food offer across multiple sites, bringing creativity, consistency, and commercial success to everything we do.

In this exciting role, you'll work closely with operational teams, clients, and central support functions to develop market-leading food concepts, improve kitchen performance, and create memorable moments for homeowners and residents. If you're a hands-on problem solver with a passion for developing people and driving standards, we'd love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing…

• Creating and implementing kitchen operating models that improve efficiency, consistency, and productivity across our sites.
• Developing seasonal menus, food concepts, client events, and resident engagement activities that keep our offer fresh, relevant, and exciting.
• Supporting the successful rollout of menu changes and commercial initiatives across multiple locations.
• Playing a key role in new contract mobilisations, ensuring kitchens are set up for success from day one.
• Working alongside our central teams to create market-leading menu propositions.
• Delivering kitchen skills training and coaching to chefs and catering teams across the estate.
• Supporting training programmes and operational development initiatives.
• Spending time within our sites to assess standards, identify opportunities, and drive gross profit improvement.
• Building strong relationships with operational teams and clients to ensure excellent service delivery and long-term partnerships.

Working pattern: Monday to Friday | 37.5 hours a week | Flexibility to travel required - Company car/car allowance included 

Job ID: 6867

What can you bring?

• Proven experience supporting food operations across multiple sites, formats, or contracts.
• A creative and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to develop innovative ideas that drive both customer satisfaction and commercial performance.
• Strong operational knowledge with a clear understanding of kitchen realities, including waste management, equipment utilisation, space planning, and food production.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a passion for maintaining high standards.
• Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• A strong understanding of current food trends, the wider culinary landscape, and market competition.
• Experience mentoring and developing Head Chefs, Executive Chefs, Catering Managers, and wider kitchen teams.
• The confidence to build relationships with senior stakeholders and clients, and to present ideas effectively at all levels.
• The ability to prioritise effectively, work at pace, and adapt to changing business needs.
• A collaborative approach with a genuine passion for developing people, improving performance, and delivering exceptional dining experiences.

 Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks!

At Elior, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows. That’s why we make sure our team feels appreciated, supported, and set up for success! Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Free, tasty meals – Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
• Flexible working – including part time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9-5 schedule.
• Plenty of Time to Unwind – generous holiday allowance of 33 days, with the option to buy more.
• Leave for life’s important moments – whether family, personal or unexpected.
• Give back time – paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
• Room to grow – career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
• Wellbeing first – mental health support and wellbeing perks.
• Financial security – pension schemes and life assurance.
• Drive in Style – Enjoy a company car or car allowance

One small thing— we welcome you to apply using the name you feel most comfortable with! No need for legal names at this stage.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

We’re a people-first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK, serving everything from stadiums to hospitals, schools to workplaces. Our mission? To enrich lives everywhere, every day.

And here’s the best part - 87% of our team say they’re proud to work here! Why? Because we create a place where you’re listened to, trusted, supported, and valued.

Not sure you match every single requirement? Apply anyway! Research shows that many people - especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds - hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria. But we hire for potential, not just experience. If you’re passionate and ready to grow, we want to hear from you!

We Celebrate You!

At Elior, diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies, they’re who we are. We know that different perspectives make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.

Need any support or adjustments during the application process? Just let us know - we’re happy to help!

 Ready to join us? Hit ‘Apply Now’ and let’s chat!