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Form of workFounded in 2003 by Dong Hyun Kim, his mission wassimple, to make fresh and flavorsome sushi and bento available to everyone.Almost 20 years later Wasabi have 41 successful branches across London, otherUK major cities and New York.
The journey continued in 2019 with the launch ofWasabi Home Bento exclusively into Sainsburys. After several years of greatsuccess there, the grocery business expanded launching into Tesco in September2022. Wasabi has now firmly established itself as the No2 chilled ready mealbrand and a driver of significant market growth. And we’re just gettingstarted. The leadership team have set out their 5 year strategy whichencompasses company growth, franchise and international expansion.
Our menu is renowned for its distinctiveness,freshness and flavour. The cold food range of sushi, pokes and salads are madefresh daily in our branch kitchens and our hot bento, noodle bowls and soupsoffer an indulgent and comforting alternative to our broad and democraticdemographic.
As we prepare for out next phase of growth and innovation, we have an incredibly exciting opportunity for Senior Development Chef to join our Food Team based in Park Royal.
The Role:
Strategic future innovation, bringing concepts to life. Fill pipeline with concepts and feasible recipes/ products for future launches.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead innovation and strategic new category development & blue-sky projects through feasibility stage (gate 0) to hand over to product development manager at brief stage – working both from a brief and off brief, actively bringing ideas to the table.
- Keep the food team up to date with the latest food trends and actively inspire with food knowledge.
- Provide food trends and market information for presentations.
- Manage the kitchen development diary accommodating all kitchen related projects with Development Chef, product development managers, food product technologists and procurement, dividing time and ensuring tasks are delivered in a timely manner meeting all gates and deadlines.
- Ensure samples are produced to a high quality and aligned to brief as and when required. (Presentations, Photography, Tasting Sessions, and Testing.)
- Lead and host product presentations.
- Accountable for hands on recipe and product development, creating recipes and products from scratch during concept stage.
- Follow guidelines set out by Food Director in line with Wasabi standards to meet food safety, quality and food vision standards. Additionally, meet nutritional, additives, and preservatives policies and ESG guidelines when developing any new products, working on EPD and any future/ innovation development projects.
- Responsible for buying raw materials for initial recipe and product development from concept stage until correct ingredients are sourced from suppliers.
- Responsible for providing relevant specifications for sourcing new raw materials required for NPD and EPD.
- Accountable for filling the pipeline with creative, innovative recipes and dishes that is suitable and transferable to CPU (for grocery) & restaurant – both brief driven and off brief.
- Coach, direct, train and oversee Development Chef/ food product development technologists and area chefs on process of successful product development in FMSC environment.
- Advise on factory recipe validation (adapt from kitchen recipe) and consult on trails of NPD or EPD products and be available to attend trials when needed.
- Accountable for driving food quality by reviewing processes (CPU and Restaurants) and ingredients to drive consistency.
- Attending a minimum of three taste panels per week and provide constructive feedback and provide advice for corrective action to QA team and operations teams.
Our Requirements:
- Previous experience working as a Development Chef within the FMSC industry with background of Restaurant chef experience favourable, not essential.
- Experience in short – shelf life chilled, in a manufacturing environment essential.
- Qualified degree in a food related discipline – food science, technology, home economics or similar favourable, favourable, not essential.
- Highly skilled creative, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and passionate about food with knowledge and or experience of South Asian / Japanese and Korean food trends and good industry awareness.
In return we provide:
- A great working environment
- Pension scheme
- Target Bonus
- Refer A Friend Scheme
- Free Sushi or hot food (vegan options available)
- 50% discount in our Branches
- Employee Assistant Programme
- Hybrid working model
- Long Service Awards
- Wagestream - a financial wellbeing benefit that lets you access your pay as you earn it in real time and manage savings
- Life Assurance
- Cycle To Work
- Free on-site parking
- A variety of discounts (shopping, food & drink, entertainment and health & fitness) through Perkbox and
- The opportunity to develop your skills within a growing company.
Our people make us who we are. If you're looking for an exciting challenge and this sounds like the job for you please apply today as we can't wait to hear from you.
COME ROLL WITH US!
