Group Culinary Development Chef

Group Culinary Development Chef

About us!

Urban Italian Group is one of Europe's fastest-growing hospitality groups, bringing together distinctive restaurant brands, passionate people and memorable guest experiences. As we continue to grow, so do the opportunities for those who want to build their careers with us.

With a growing collection of restaurant brands, including Basta, Florentine, Trattoria Giorgio's, Lola Maria, and Villa Valentina, we're building something exciting across Europe.

The Role

As a Group Culinary Development Chef you will help shape the next stage of food at Urban Italian Group.

This is a hands-on role for someone who loves developing food but also understands what it takes to deliver it consistently in busy, high-volume restaurants. You will work closely with our Culinary Director and kitchen leaders to create new dishes, improve existing menus and turn ideas into clear standards that our teams can execute every day.

What you'll be doing

• Developing exciting, commercially viable dishes that reflect the identity of our different restaurant brands.

• Testing recipes and refining flavour, presentation, portion size, preparation methods and service execution.

• Translating every approved dish into clear recipes, specifications, allergen information and training materials.

• Working with Procurement and Finance to understand ingredient availability, food cost, waste and profitability.

• Leading tastings, gathering feedback and making practical improvements before launch.

• Training kitchen teams and supporting the introduction of new menus, products and cooking techniques.

• Spending time in our restaurants to ensure new dishes work during real service—not only in a development kitchen.

You'll thrive in this role if you

• Strong experience as a Development Chef, Executive Chef, Group Chef, Senior Head Chef or in a similar culinary role.

• A genuine passion for Mediterranean food, quality ingredients and cooking with fire.

• Experience developing dishes for busy, high-volume restaurant environments.

• The ability to cost recipes and consider margin, labour, waste and operational practicality.

• A collaborative approach and the confidence to receive feedback, challenge ideas constructively and keep improving.

• Strong communication and training skills, with the ability to make recipes and standards easy for kitchen teams to follow.

• Flexibility to travel between our restaurants and support tastings, openings and menu launches.

Our Culture and Values

We believe we work with people, not food. Guided by our values of Trust, Inclusion, Passion and Excellence, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and empowered to grow.

What do we offer?

• Be part of one of Europe’s fastest-growing hospitality groups.

• Build your career across multiple brands and countries.

• Work alongside talented people who genuinely love hospitality.

• International career opportunities.

• Referral bonus scheme.

• Shared accommodation (where applicable).

• Friends for life.

Sound like your kind of place?

If you are excited by joining us, we would love to hear from you. Bring your energy, personality and passion to UIG!

Urban Italian Group is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you need a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the selection process, please tell our Talent Acquisition Team.