Test Kitchen Assistant

Located in Des Moines, Iowa, is the Dotdash Meredith Test Kitchen and Content Studios, a state-of-the-art facility featuring 10 test kitchens, 6  photo studio kitchens, a prop room, an outdoor grill/BBQ station and a showcase kitchen and tasting room for demonstrations and events. Powered by a talented team of test kitchen professionals, stylists, and photographers, the Dotdash Test Kitchen and Content Studios is the country’s premier creative hub, producing thousands of world class recipes, images and related content annually for Dotdash Meredith’s print, digital, and social platforms.

The Test Kitchen Assistant is a part of the Dotdash Meredith Test Kitchen Team that provides proficient recipe creation and food styling for a variety of our food brands and food related clients. Their role is to assist in shopping and develop and test recipes, as assigned. 

This position is fully in-office due to the nature of the work being done.

II. Essential Job Functions

Weight %: Accountabilities, Actions and Expected Measurable Results

• 50%: Purchase kitchen provisions needed for testing and photography as directed by the Kitchen Coordinator. Maintain accurate financial records and submit expense reports as required.

• 50%: Test + Develop Recipes: Pitch, develop and test recipes across Dotdash Meredith print + digital brands and advertising partners. Deliver fully annotated recipes in style, including content deliverables, nutritional analysis (if applicable) and  testing photos, as assigned.

III. Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements | All must be met to be considered.

Education:

• BS or BA culinary degree or significant experience operating a professional kitchen.

Experience:

• 1  year  experience in the culinary field, Test Kitchen experience preferred

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient with recipes:  in writing according to style and able to troubleshoot a recipe just by reading it. You have a strong knowledge of food, including a range of cuisines, techniques and equipment. You have social media savvy and are excited about digital trends.

• Creative and Scientific: You care deeply about the way food looks and tastes and enjoy both the artistic and methodical aspects of creating food and recipe content.  You love to geek-out about the latest culinary accessories and have fun putting equipment to the test.

• Very strong communication skills- the ability to take direction and communicate directions to others.

• Able to work under pressure and manage a variety of tasks at once.

• Proficient computer skills (Google -- Gmail, Calendar, Sheets, Docs).

• The ability to work independently on assigned projects.

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

% Travel Required (Approximate): less than 5%