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Contract Food Recipe Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Rhodes College

Memphis, TN · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ... food production. * Participate in menu planning and recipe development with an emphasis on ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Emory University

Atlanta, GA

$62K - $65K/yr

We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ... menu planning, recipe development, and seasonal offerings that meet the needs of the Emory ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Emory University

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$62K - $65K/yr

We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ... menu planning, recipe development, and seasonal offerings that meet the needs of the Emory ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Rhodes College

Memphis, TN

$55K - $60K/yr

We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ... food production. * Participate in menu planning and recipe development with an emphasis on ...

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Contract Food Recipe Development information

What is contract food recipe development?

Contract food recipe development is a service where culinary professionals or food scientists are hired by companies or individuals to create, test, and refine recipes according to specific requirements. This process often involves developing new dishes, improving existing recipes, or adapting recipes for large-scale production. Clients may include restaurants, food manufacturers, meal kit services, or publishers. The goal is to deliver recipes that meet taste, nutrition, cost, and branding needs while ensuring consistency and scalability.

What is the difference between Contract Food Recipe Development vs Contract Food Product Development?

AspectContract Food Recipe DevelopmentContract Food Product Development
FocusCreating and refining specific recipes for clientsDeveloping entire food products, including formulation, packaging, and branding
CredentialsFood science or culinary background, culinary certificationsFood science, product development experience, certifications
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, client sites, food labsResearch & development labs, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageFood service, catering, specialty food brandsFood manufacturing, retail, packaged foods

Contract Food Recipe Development primarily involves creating and perfecting specific recipes for clients, focusing on flavor, texture, and presentation. In contrast, Contract Food Product Development encompasses the entire process of developing a food product from concept to market, including formulation, packaging, and branding. Both roles require food science knowledge and culinary skills but differ in scope and application.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in contract food recipe development roles?

Professionals in contract food recipe development often face tight deadlines and must balance creativity with strict client specifications, such as dietary restrictions, ingredient sourcing, and budget constraints. They frequently collaborate with chefs, nutritionists, and marketing teams to ensure recipes are both innovative and commercially viable. Another common challenge is adapting recipes for scalability, ensuring that dishes maintain quality and consistency when produced in larger quantities. Successful contract recipe developers need strong communication and project management skills to deliver recipes that meet client expectations within agreed timelines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Food Recipe Developer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Contract Food Recipe Developer, you need a deep understanding of culinary techniques, food science, and recipe formulation, often supported by a degree in culinary arts or nutrition. Familiarity with recipe management software, food safety certifications, and ingredient sourcing platforms is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills are crucial for developing innovative recipes that meet client needs and dietary guidelines. These competencies ensure recipes are both delicious and compliant, fostering customer satisfaction and successful product launches.
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Contract Food Recipe Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Food Recipe Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution.
Sous Chef - Rhodes College

Sous Chef - Rhodes College

Compass Group

Memphis, TN • On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,079 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

316th of 454 rated business services

Job description

Salary:  $55,000 - $60,000 / year

Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

Rhodes College is seeking a driven and collaborative Sous Chef to help lead the daily culinary operations for our residential dining program. This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate culinary professional who enjoys mentoring teams, creating exceptional dining experiences, and contributing to an innovative campus food program.

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in scratch cooking, menu development, and product costing, along with a commitment to food quality, kitchen safety, and developing culinary talent. You'll work alongside the Executive Chef to execute diverse menus, maintain high operational standards, and foster a positive, team-oriented kitchen culture.

 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing daily kitchen operations and ensuring consistent execution of high-quality food production.
  • Participate in menu planning and recipe development with an emphasis on creativity, seasonality, nutrition, and operational efficiency.
  • Utilize product costing and food cost analysis to support budget goals while maintaining quality and value.
  • Coordinate purchasing, inventory management, production planning, and ordering to ensure efficient kitchen operations.
  • Lead, train, coach, and develop culinary team members while promoting accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrate and reinforce proper culinary techniques, knife skills, cooking methods, and industry terminology through hands-on leadership.
  • Maintain the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, HACCP compliance, and workplace safety.
  • Assist with production scheduling and preparation while ensuring recipes, portions, and presentation standards are consistently followed.
  • Support special events, catering functions, and campus programs as needed.
  • Partner with leadership to implement new culinary initiatives and enhance the overall dining experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 5 years of culinary experience, including at least 1 year in a supervisory or lead role.
  • Experience in high-volume foodservice operations such as higher education, corporate dining, hotels, restaurants, healthcare, or similar environments.
  • Strong knowledge of menu development, product costing, inventory management, and food cost controls.
  • Thorough understanding of culinary techniques, cooking methods, ingredients, and industry terminology.
  • Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and develop culinary staff while fostering a positive and inclusive team environment.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP principles, and kitchen safety best practices.
  • Experience creating production schedules and managing kitchen workflow.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
  • ServSafe Certification preferred.
  • Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent culinary education preferred.

 

What You'll Bring:

  • Passion for preparing exceptional food and delivering memorable dining experiences.
  • A collaborative leadership style with a commitment to mentoring and developing others.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance quality, efficiency, and financial performance.
  • Creativity, adaptability, and a continuous improvement mindset.
  • A commitment to providing an outstanding dining experience for the Rhodes College community.

Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:  1548015

Bon Appetit 

Allison Murphy 

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