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Contractual Research Development Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Home Chef

Executive Chef, Production

Atlanta, GA

$68K - $94K/yr

Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient specifications * Review meal ratings weekly and assess areas for performance improvement Documentation and ...

Home Chef

Executive Chef, Production

Lithia Springs, GA

$65K - $90K/yr

Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient specifications * Review meal ratings weekly and assess areas for performance improvement Documentation and ...

Maple

Maple & Ash Chicago - Chef De Cuisine

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Who You Are The R&D Chef is the culinary architect for the brand, bridging the gap between Michelin-caliber artistry and multi-unit scalability. This role demands a rare hybrid of elite creativity ...

Talis Group, Inc.

Foodservice R&D Specialist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Talis Group's client, a respected and innovative company searching for a Foodservice R&D Specialist who combines hands-on chef experience with a passion for research and product development. This is ...

Material Bank

$52K - $72K/yr

Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient specifications * Review meal ratings weekly and assess areas for performance improvement Documentation and ...

Material Bank

Executive Chef, Production

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient specifications * Review meal ratings weekly and assess areas for performance improvement Documentation and ...

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Contractual Research Development Chef information

See salary details

$48.5K

$101.8K

$165K

How much do contractual research development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for contractual research development chef in the United States is $101,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contractual research development chef?

A Contractual Research Development Chef is a culinary professional hired on a contract basis to create, test, and refine new recipes, menu items, or food products for restaurants, food manufacturers, or hospitality businesses. Their work involves innovation in cooking techniques, food presentation, and ingredient sourcing to meet specific client needs or market trends. They often collaborate with product development teams, conduct taste tests, and ensure new offerings are both delicious and cost-effective. This role is crucial for organizations looking to stay competitive by regularly updating their menus or product lines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contractual research development chef?

To thrive as a Contractual Research Development Chef, you need extensive culinary expertise, a strong background in food science, and experience with recipe development, often supported by a culinary degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with kitchen technology, food safety regulations, and product development software is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams are essential soft skills for success. These skills enable the chef to innovate, ensure product quality, and efficiently meet client or company objectives in a dynamic food industry environment.

How does a contractual research development chef typically collaborate with product development teams to create new menu items or food products?

As a Contractual Research Development Chef, collaboration with product development teams is a core part of the role. Chefs work closely with food scientists, marketing professionals, and supply chain specialists to conceptualize, test, and refine new recipes or products. This often involves participating in brainstorming sessions, conducting taste tests, providing feedback on ingredient sourcing, and ensuring that new items meet both culinary standards and production feasibility. The chef acts as a bridge between culinary creativity and practical implementation, ensuring that the final product aligns with brand goals and consumer preferences.

What is the difference between Contractual Research Development Chef vs Research and Development Chef?

AspectContractual Research Development ChefResearch and Development Chef
CredentialsCulinary certifications, food safety, and possibly project managementCulinary certifications, food safety, and innovation skills
Work EnvironmentContract-based, project-specific settings, often with multiple clientsIn-house or corporate kitchens focused on product development
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing, consulting firms, contract kitchensFood companies, restaurants, hospitality industry
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding contract-based culinary R&D rolesIn-house culinary innovation roles

The Contractual Research Development Chef typically works on a project basis for multiple clients, focusing on developing new food products under contract. In contrast, the Research and Development Chef is usually employed full-time within a company, dedicated to ongoing product innovation. Both roles require culinary expertise and food safety knowledge, but their work settings and employment structures differ significantly.

What cities are hiring for Contractual Research Development Chef jobs?

Cities with the most Contractual Research Development Chef job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Development Chef jobs?

The most popular types of Research Development Chef jobs are:

What states have the most Contractual Research Development Chef jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contractual Research Development Chef jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Contractual Research Development Chef jobs?

For Contractual Research Development Chef jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Contractual Research Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contractual Research Development Chef job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,794 per year, or $48.9 per hour.

Executive Chef, Production

Atlanta, GA

Home Chef
Food Services and Drinking Places • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Home Chefexternal

$68K - $94K/yr

Temporary

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Home Chef rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

This is a temporary position, expected to last approximately 6 months with possibility to covert to a permanent role.

We are seeking a culinary production expert to lead kitchen operations for Home Chef's Ready to Heat brand, Tempo. The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail, an obsession with providing customers the highest-possible quality meals, and the ability to train and lead a team of associates to be able to consistently execute the culinary vision.

Detailed Responsibilities

Oversee product quality in a mass production kitchen

  • Validate consistent, premium taste, appearance, and performance of every meal leaving our high-volume kitchen
  • Implement and adhere to gold standards of food quality and food safety
  • Prepare weekly cook schedules and review/approve payroll in collaboration with HR
  • Consistently maintain standards of quality, cost, eye appeal, and flavor of foods
  • Check all processes before production time and inspect the presentation of food items to ensure quality standards are met
  • Coordinate with RTH production manager to ensure all ingredients are available when needed

Train and lead team members through the prep, cooking, and cooling processes

  • Train, coach, and develop sous chef staff, including weekly 1:1 sessions for their growth and development
  • Supervise, evaluate, and train employees, ensure sanitation and safety, menu planning, and related production activities
  • Develop training programs and provide professional development opportunities for all kitchen staff

Work with Corporate R&D chefs on ingredient and menu continuous improvement opportunities

  • Ensure the execution of new recipes, training and oversight of kitchen staff to implement new recipes, and collaborate with the R&D team to improve existing recipes
  • Attend weekly meetings with R&D chefs in order to give feedback on recipes or ingredient specifications
  • Review meal ratings weekly and assess areas for performance improvement

Documentation and Progress Tracking

  • Ensure proper documentation and record keeping of lot information, CCP's, sensory results, and yields
  • Sign off on Assembly Production Sheets, ensuring that meal plating is visually appealing
  • Ensure batches are properly recorded in Progress Tracker  

This position requires 5% travel.

Qualifications
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability and/or other characteristics needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

  • 6+ years' experience in a commissary kitchen and high-volume food preparation
  • High School Diploma or GED or related work experience
  • American Culinary Federation chef certification preferred
  • Fluent in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
  • Familiarity with USDA/FDA guidelines
  • Skills in planning, organizing, prioritizing, and executing projects and activities
  • Passion for helping people achieve their goals and improve themselves
  • Knowledge of HACCP, FSMA, SQF, and USDA regulations
More About Us
Perks and Benefits
  • Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first order!
  • Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
  • Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
  • 401k program
  • Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses
How We Work Together

We are humble team players.
We are warm and gracious with team members and customers. We seek feedback to improve ourselves - and respectfully listen to and accept input.

We are pragmatic next-level thinkers.
We come up with novel and unique ideas. We explore new strategies to avoid being constrained by conventional thinking.

We take ownership.
We approach ambiguous problems, prepared to dive in, get curious, and learn more. We are results-driven, always challenging ourselves to exceed goals.

Be at Home at Home Chef

We all show up authentically at Home Chef. Our team includes individuals with a variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. You can trust that you'll be able to bring your whole self to an inclusive and enjoyable workplace.

We welcome people of all races, colors, religions, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual identity), age, physical or mental disabilities, pregnancy, veteran or military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, arrest record or expunged/sealed convictions, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

Home Chef is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Home Chef will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People team at hr@homechef.com.

 

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