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Culinary Creative Director Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

... and culinary passion. The SC fosters partnerships by recommending an optimized product mix ... Manage and expand existing accounts by building trust and providing creative, customized product ...

Cook (full-time)

Prairie Du Sac, WI · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Provide general guidance and work as a team with culinary aides regarding menu, meal items ... Report any safety violations or incidents to the nutrition services director. * Assist with menu ...

Culinary Certification in Pastry/Bakery Education Desired: High school diploma or equivalent ... Direct Team Members by using work lists as well as understanding and performing all duties required ...

Culinary Creative Director information

See Madison, WI salary details

$43.3K

$121K

$181.4K

How much do culinary creative director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary creative director in Madison, WI is $120,973.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,200.00 and $150,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary creative director?

A Culinary Creative Director is a professional responsible for overseeing the creative direction and vision of a restaurant, hospitality group, or food brand. They develop innovative menus, conceptualize dining experiences, and ensure the culinary offerings align with the brand’s identity and goals. This role often involves collaborating with chefs, designers, and marketing teams to create memorable and cohesive food experiences. Culinary Creative Directors stay on top of food trends and often play a key part in launching new concepts or revitalizing existing ones.

What are some common challenges faced by a culinary creative director when introducing new menu concepts?

A Culinary Creative Director often encounters challenges such as balancing creativity with operational feasibility, ensuring that new menu items can be executed consistently across various locations, and aligning innovative ideas with the brand’s identity and customer preferences. Collaboration with kitchen staff, procurement teams, and marketing is essential to successfully launch new concepts. Additionally, they must consider food cost, sourcing of unique ingredients, and scalability, all while maintaining high-quality standards and meeting tight deadlines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary creative director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Culinary Creative Director, you need extensive culinary expertise, a strong portfolio of menu development, and leadership experience, often supported by a degree from a culinary school. Familiarity with menu design software, food costing systems, and industry-standard kitchen equipment is essential. Creativity, team leadership, and strong communication skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These abilities are critical for driving innovative dining concepts, ensuring operational excellence, and inspiring culinary teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

What is the difference between Culinary Creative Director vs Executive Chef?

AspectCulinary Creative DirectorExecutive Chef
Primary FocusDeveloping culinary concepts, menu innovation, brand visionManaging kitchen operations, food preparation, staff supervision
Required Credentials Culinary arts background, culinary certifications, creative portfolio Culinary arts degree, culinary certifications, extensive kitchen experience
Work EnvironmentCorporate kitchens, restaurant chains, food brandsRestaurant kitchens, hotels, resorts
Industry UsageUsed in food branding, menu development, culinary innovationUsed in restaurant management, kitchen operations

The Culinary Creative Director focuses on developing innovative culinary concepts and shaping brand identity, often working in corporate or food branding environments. In contrast, the Executive Chef manages daily kitchen operations and staff in restaurants or hotels. Both roles require culinary expertise, but their core responsibilities and work settings differ significantly.

Who can become a culinary creative director?

A culinary creative director typically has extensive experience in the food industry, often with a background as a chef or culinary professional. They usually possess strong leadership, creativity, and knowledge of food trends, along with skills in menu development and branding. Formal education in culinary arts and a proven track record of innovative work are common requirements.

What job categories do people searching Culinary Creative Director jobs in Madison, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Creative Director jobs in Madison, WI are:

What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Culinary Creative Director jobs?

Cities near Madison, WI with the most Culinary Creative Director job openings:

Director of Culinary Services

Ciel Huntington LLC

Janesville, WI

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Oversee all culinary operations, including menu development, kitchen management, and food quality.

  • Coordinate staffing activities such as posting open positions, scheduling interviews, onboarding, training, and performance management of culinary team members.

  • Manage menu planning, including developing menus, conducting resident food committee meetings, and ensuring dietary needs are met while controlling costs.


Job description

Description

POSITION: Director of Culinary

REPORTS TO: Executive Director

FLSA: Exempt

OUR MISSION: We are united in our mission to offer seniors an elevated way of life, where comfort, connection, and joy thrive.

POSITION SUMMARY:

We are seeking an experienced and creative culinary professional to lead our culinary team as the director of culinary. And with the creative force behind her culinary offerings, it will play a key role in shaping our menu, culinary standards, and ensuring exceptional dining experience for our residents and family members. The director of culinary will oversee all culinary operations, including menu development, kitchen management, and food quality. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Staffing

  • Coordinate with Business Office Director to post open positions, schedule interviews, and make hiring decisions in conjunction with Executive Director. 
  • Ensure that supervisors and hourly team members maintain a safe and sanitary environment, in addition to providing a nurturing and pleasurable dining experience. 
  • Onboard and train all team members in the Culinary Department, ensuring that any state and company-mandated training is completed in a timely manner and documented properly. 
  • Deliver coaching, motivation, and performance improvement plans on an as-needed basis to culinary team members. 
  • Communicate with team members any pertinent information regarding the company, building, and residents. 
  • Develop and maintain schedules for both front of house and back of house team members. Work with leads to ensure schedules meet budgets and provide the level of food quality and service outlined for our residents. 

Menu Planning 

  • Communicate with line cooks to develop and maintain a pleasing and nutritious menu. 
  • Conduct monthly Food Committee meetings with community residents to plan for specials and additional menu modifications, ensuring that community preferences are incorporated into menus and events. 
  • Cost out menu options to ensure expected budget is met.
  • Understand dietary needs of residents and coordinate with dieticians, nursing staff, and care managers to ensure proper selection, preparation, and delivery of meals. 

Budget Management 

  • Understand all aspects of the culinary operating and staffing budget and ensure that financial goals are met. 
  • Meet with Executive Director weekly to update them on departmental spend and events.
  • During budget season, assist Executive Director in planning next year expenditures in staffing and non-labor expenses. In addition, create 5-year capital expense forecast to monitor kitchen equipment needs. 
  • Approve food orders from selected food vendors and ensure a proper level of inventory to meet demand and minimize waste and cost. 

Compliance 

  • Comply with all local, state, and/or federal licensing requirements, rules, regulations, OSHA, and company requirements. 

 Collaboration 

  • Work a variety of shifts on an as-needed basis. Must be willing and able to cook and serve shifts to ensure staffing needs are met. Routinely work different shifts for quality control, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 
  • Consult with Enrichment Director, Sales Director and Executive Director to determine ways in which Culinary can elevate services in their functional areas of the community. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Culinary degree is preferred. 
  • A minimum of eight years of progressive experience in the food service industry with at least three of those years in a responsible supervisory role of preparing food and serving customers. Experience to include management of food inventories and budgets. 
  • Experience in senior living or healthcare a plus.
  • Current ServSafe Certification preferred. Obtain or hold any county and/or state required food handling/sanitation licenses or certificates. 
  • Good understanding of Excel and online food service ordering platforms. 
  • A strong communicator and proven manager who can work with a wide range and number of team members.
  • Extensive knowledge of 24/7 food service preparations and federal, state, and local regulations regarding safety of food preparation and handling.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Walk/Stand - must be able to continuously walk and stand. 
  • Environment Condition - must be able to perform work both inside and outside 
  • Sit - sit infrequently 
  • Lift - constantly 0-10 pounds, frequently 11 - 50 pounds, occasionally 51 - 100 pounds 
  • Carry - constantly 0-10 pounds, frequently 11 - 50 pounds, occasionally 51 - 100 pounds 
  • Push - constantly 0-10 pounds, frequently 11 - 50 pounds, occasionally 51 - 100 pounds 
  • Climb - must be able to climb stairs on a frequent basis, with the opportunity to utilize the elevator as an alternate resource if available 
  • Bend - must be able to bend at the waist, knees, hips and spine on a frequent basis; may require frequently manipulating weights of 25 pounds or more. 
  • Squat - must be able to squat on a frequent basis to reach below the knee, may require lifting of 50 pounds or less. 
  • Twist or rotate - must be able to twist or rotate occasionally at the trunk, hips, knees, and neck, manipulating weights of 25 pounds or more. 
  • Reach- must be able to reach on a frequent basis. May occasionally reach overhead, requiring manipulation of weight of 10 pounds or less, and below waist manipulating weight of 25 pounds or more. 
  • Sensory Vision - must be able to read clearly with or without corrective lenses 
  • Hear - Must be able to hear telephone, audible alarms, bells and signals related to resident safety with or without hearing devices. 
  • Must be able to taste and smell.
  • Speech/Language - must have strong command of English sufficient to read and write and interpret administration information.Â