Higgidy are purveyors of some of the finest pies, quiches and sausage rolls around (even if we do say so ourselves!). From our humble roots as a small family business founded by husband, wife and their best friend (who are all still in the business today) we’ve grown steadily over the last twelve years and now boast a team of 325 permanent staff.
We are now looking for a Culinary Chef to join our NPD team. The role will involve:
- Creating and developing innovative and commercially successful products that push the boundaries in existing and new categories. Support Commercial and NPD teams, in a fast-paced environment, with product development delivery from brief to handover.
- With a passion for food, contributing and driving change, improving processes and achieving a high-quality delivery.
Specifically, the Culinary Chef will:
- Develop exciting and innovative new food concepts in line with development briefs and launch timings.
- Develop concepts that push innovation boundaries and maintain bank of ideas with photos and recipes.
- Compile inspirational quarterly food trend reports from news headlines, blogs, cookbooks, apps, food magazines, new restaurants.
- Actively seek out new culinary trends and implement them into recipes.
- Have the ability to demonstrate a natural flair and a passion for food with knowledge of a variety of cuisines.
- Experience of practical cooking demonstrations will also be an advantage.
- Be fully abreast of current food trends ingredients and packaging to inspire ideas and feed into regular brainstorm sessions.
- Play an integral role in innovation brainstorm sessions.
- Run internal creative sessions.
- Propose tasty side recipes for new products.
- Assist in building a positive food culture – challenge products through the development process to improve product quality.
- Support Samples Assistant and Development Technologist at peak times.
- Practice clean as you go, responsible for day to day housekeeping of development spaces.
- Be part of daily internal taste panels.
- Aid with concept costings and complete recipe sheets.
- Work closely with procurement sourcing new ingredients.
- Support customer visits/hospitality events by creating menus and lunches.
What we’re looking for in our next Culinary Chef:
Essential
- A passion for food, a real “foodie” and have a constant desire to try new things.
- Natural creativity.
- Be a self-starter. You’ll need to be energetic and motivated.
- Strong planning and organisational skills, ability to multitask and manage own workload.
- Work to tight deadlines and able to perform under pressure.
- Good attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent numeracy skills and written English.
- Confident presenter.
- Flexibility and adaptability.
Ideal
- Development experience within a food manufacturing environment/quality restaurant for minimum of 2 years
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office
- Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
- Food related qualifications e.g. City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or Culinary Arts
- Experience and knowledge of the cook-chill process
In return, we can offer you a competitive online benefits programme via our Higgidy Hub, access to our Bupa Employee Assistant Programme, free on shift refreshments and access to Wi-Fi, as well as a generous annual leave allowance which increases with every years service.
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to recruitment@higgidy.co.uk or press Apply below.
Here at Higgidy we think of ourselves as a big family and family is how we aim to treat everyone – therefore we strive to create a workplace in which people from all backgrounds are encouraged to contribute and succeed. Our aim is that no job applicant, temporary worker or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender and transgender status, race and ethnicity, religion and belief (including no belief), marriage or civil partnership status or sexual orientation. For more information please visit www.higgidy.co.uk/policies
