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Culinary Development Chef Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Sous Chef

Dresher, PA · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Previous experience in staff training and development programs. Responsibilities: * Assist the Executive Chef in planning and directing food preparation and culinary activities. * Supervise and ...

New

Sous Chef

Dresher, PA · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Previous experience in staff training and development programs. Responsibilities: * Assist the Executive Chef in planning and directing food preparation and culinary activities. * Supervise and ...

New

... Culinary Director on seasonal menu development and menu rollouts. · Collaborate with the Event Chef and Pastry Chef. · Maintain the highest standards of food safety and guest satisfaction. What We ...

Chef Manager - Elwyn

Media, PA · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Supervise and train culinary team members to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compassionate ... Paid time off and professional development programs * A mission-driven workplace where your work ...

Supervise and train culinary team members to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compassionate ... Paid time off and professional development programs * A mission-driven workplace where your work ...

Chef Manager - Elwyn

Media, PA · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Supervise and train culinary team members to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compassionate ... Paid time off and professional development programs * A mission-driven workplace where your work ...

Sous Chef

Philadelphia, PA

$50K - $68K/yr

Executive Chef / Executive Sous Chef Summary / Objective The Sous Chef is a key culinary leader at ... Collaborate with the Executive Chef on menu development , tastings, seasonal updates, and ...

Chef

Glenside, PA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Position Summary The Executive Chef will oversee all culinary operations for both the restaurant and banquet/event venue. This individual will be responsible for menu development, kitchen leadership ...

Executive Chef

Wayne, PA · On-site

$64K - $89K/yr

Lead all culinary operations, including menu development, kitchen execution, food quality, and team ... Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or similar senior-level role * Experience in high-end Italian ...

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Culinary Development Chef information

See Philadelphia, PA salary details

$32.3K

$80K

$115K

How much do culinary development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary development chef in Philadelphia, PA is $80,029.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $91,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a culinary development chef typically collaborate with other departments to bring new menu items to market?

Culinary Development Chefs work closely with cross-functional teams such as marketing, procurement, and operations to ensure new menu items are both innovative and feasible. They often participate in brainstorming sessions, conduct taste tests, and adjust recipes based on feedback from stakeholders. Collaboration with supply chain teams is crucial to source ingredients that meet quality standards and fit within budget constraints. Additionally, they work with training teams to develop materials that help kitchen staff consistently execute new dishes across multiple locations.

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

To thrive as a Culinary Development Chef, you need advanced culinary expertise, creativity in recipe development, and a solid understanding of food safety, typically supported by a relevant culinary degree or certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and knowledge of current food trends are essential technical assets. Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These abilities ensure the creation of innovative, high-quality dishes that meet both operational goals and customer expectations.

What is the difference between Culinary Development Chef vs Pastry Chef?

AspectCulinary Development ChefPastry Chef
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesPastry arts certifications, culinary degrees
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, product development labsBakery, pastry shops, restaurants
Industry UsageFood manufacturing, restaurant chains, product innovationBakery, patisserie, dessert-focused establishments

The Culinary Development Chef focuses on creating new recipes, product development, and culinary innovation, often working in test kitchens or labs. In contrast, a Pastry Chef specializes in baking and pastry arts, working primarily in bakeries or pastry shops. While both roles require culinary skills and certifications, their work environments and industry applications differ significantly.

What is a culinary development chef?

Culinary Development Chefs are professional chefs who specialize in creating and improving recipes, menus, and food products for restaurants, food manufacturers, or hospitality companies. They blend culinary creativity with technical knowledge to develop new dishes, enhance existing offerings, and ensure that recipes can be consistently reproduced on a large scale. Their work often involves testing ingredients, refining cooking techniques, and collaborating with other departments such as marketing and production. Culinary Development Chefs play a key role in keeping a brand’s food offerings innovative, appealing, and competitive in the marketplace.
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Development Chef jobs in Philadelphia, PA? For Culinary Development Chef jobs in Philadelphia, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Development Chef jobs in Philadelphia, PA look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Development Chef jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:
Infographic showing various Culinary Development Chef job openings in Philadelphia, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $80,029 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

Senior Manager, Culinary Development

Sodexo

Philadelphia, PA

$100K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Sodexo rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,138 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

338th of 483 rated business services


Job description

Sodexo Live! has an opportunity for a Senior Mgr., Culinary Developmentto support a portfolio of premium airport lounges. This Culinary Manager will travel 75-100% to oversee our culinary operations across multiple locations throughout the country.

Our airport lounges are dedicated spaces for passengers to relax and rejuvenate while awaiting their next adventure. Join our team of experience makers and food fanatics and be part of creating memorable experiences!

About the job

Bring your culinary expertise to a role where innovation, training, and operational excellence all go together. You'll shape the future of culinary programs by ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance while driving continuous improvement through hands-on support and strategic insight.


Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.

Pay Range: $100130 - $155540

Incentive Eligibility: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary

What's in it for you

  • Champion culinary excellence by leading program development, innovation, and execution.
  • Make a direct impact through coaching, mentoring, and training culinary teams to elevate performance.
  • Use your expertise to shape and refine culinary standards, ensuring consistency and quality across all touchpoints.
  • Collaborate across departments to bring fresh ideas and practical solutions to life.
  • Keep teams aligned and kitchens safe by upholding critical food safety and HACCP standards.
  • Contribute to an environment where creativity is encouraged and operational discipline is celebrated.
  • Stay at the forefront of culinary trends and techniques, helping the organization evolve and excel.


What you'll bring 

  • Experience managing culinary operations with a focus on consistency, efficiency, and excellence.
  • A passion for developing others, with a strong background in coaching, training, and mentoring culinary teams.
  • Deep knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and HACCP compliance, ensuring operational integrity.
  • Technical culinary expertise paired with the ability to drive innovation and implement best practices.
  • A collaborative mindset and strong communication skills to effectively partner across departments and lead change.


Requirements

  • Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience Management Experience: 5 years
  • Related Experience: 3 years


What we offer 

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include: 

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs 

  • 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions 

  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays 

  • Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement 

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

Who we are 

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide. 

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please completethis form. 


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