Contract Food Recipe Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Iowa State University Dining is hiring a Recipe & Development Specialist to join our team. This is not your typical culinary role. In this position, you will step outside of day-to-day production and help shape how food is prepared across our residential dining locations. You will take ideas-from students, staff, and existing menus-and turn them into clear, scalable recipes that work in real kitchens during real service. Because this role supports multiple locations and meal periods, flexibility is important, including occasional schedule adjustments based on operational needs.

We are looking for someone who thrives in a busy kitchen and enjoys taking their culinary knowledge to the details that make a recipe truly work. This role requires strong organization, ownership of work, and the ability to manage multiple moving parts while collaborating with teams across multiple locations. Strong communication is essential, along with the ability to clearly organize and share work so it can be consistently followed. Comfort working with digital tools to document and refine recipes is important, along with a willingness to test, adjust, and improve until the final product works as intended.

This role offers a unique balance of independent work and hands-on collaboration. Some days will be spent testing and documenting, while others will involve being in the kitchen observing service and making adjustments in real time.

• Test, develop, and refine recipes for large-scale production across multiple dining locations
• Evaluate yield, cost, and execution to ensure recipes perform consistently in high-volume environments
• Use digital tools and basic computer programs to track changes, organize recipe details, and maintain accurate documentation for team use
• Standardize and document recipes, including clear instructions, prep needs, and equipment requirements
• Partner with culinary teams across locations to gather feedback and improve processes
• Support onboarding and training efforts, including contributing to culinary checklists and skill development
• Help identify and improve outdated or inefficient recipes and kitchen processes
• Coordinate test runs and adjust recipes based on operational needs, staffing, and service style
• Occasionally flex your schedule to observe and support different shifts (including some PM work)

• Insurance benefits (medical, dental, and vision) starting on your first day
• Retirement plans with generous university contributions
• A free meal with every shift
• Paid time off, sick leave, and holiday pay (enjoy holidays off)
• Opportunity to influence how food is prepared and served across campus

• Supervises, instructs, trains, plans, and schedules the work of others in the preparation of large-scale meals and diets
• Assists supervisor in planning menus as related to production of unit as required
• Maintains maximum standards of sanitation and safety
• Requisitions, receives, stores, freezes, labels, and maintains food supplies and related kitchen products
• Reports deficiencies in quality or quantity of food supplies or kitchen products
• Recommends equipment repairs or improvements
• Tests new or revised recipes and recommends changes
• Tests all prepared foods to maintain standards
• Participates in preparing and serving menu items as required
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Ability to judge final food product for quantity (yield) and quality (color, taste, texture, etc.)
• Knowledge of safe food preparation, storage, and handling procedures for raw and cooked foods
• Knowledge of principles of food sanitation, health hazards, and proper safety measures
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to provide on-the-job training in food preparation to lower-level employees
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others
• Knowledge of weights, measures, and food measurement techniques
• Ability to perform basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and conversions) related to food preparation and recipe scaling
• Knowledge of food preparation, food presentation, and cooking methods
• Ability to read, analyze, and evaluate recipes and instructions
• Knowledge of sources of food contaminants and interactions
• Knowledge of sanitation safety practices and safe use of equipment
• Ability to maintain food production records

Schedule: Mon-Friday 8a-5p when recipe testing. Flexible hours may be necessary when unit is in need of assistance AM hours 5:00am-2:00pm and PM hours 9:00am-6pm.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience creating or modifying recipes for large-scale production.
• Understanding of kitchen workflows across different service models (retail, catering, residential dining.)
• Experience training or guiding others in food preparation processes.

About the Department:

ISU Dining is a nationally recognized campus dining program committed to culinary innovation and excellent service. From residential dining centers and cafes to catering and retail outlets, we serve thousands daily, offering variety, consistency, and quality. This position plays a key role behind the scenes, ensuring every meal starts with a strong foundation.

As a member of the dining team, you'll be part of a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen unlike anything most have experienced. Every day is different as you help manage large-scale meal prep, fine-tune recipes, and keep things running smoothly. If you enjoy leading a team, learning on the job, and working with talented students and full-time workers, this role could be a perfect fit!

Watch Our Team in Action!

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.