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Culinary Development Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Coursekingdom

$90 - $130/hr

Senior R&D Chef (all genders) We are seeking a Senior R&D Chef to join the culinary team of our newest brand, Factor: a healthy, ready-to-heat meal delivery service. At Factor, our goal is to ...

Capital Grille

Executive Chef Partner

Rancho Mirage, CA · On-site

$82K - $92K/yr

The Executive Chef supports the Culinary Development team to ensure menu items are executed with excellence in the restaurant. Job Requirements * Proven success as head of kitchen operations in a ...

Seasons 52

Executive Chef Partner

Mclean, VA · On-site

$80K - $92K/yr

The Executive Chef supports the Culinary Development team to ensure menu items are executed with excellence in the restaurant. Job Requirements * Proven success as head of kitchen operations in a ...

Capital Grille

Executive Chef Partner

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$66K - $91K/yr

The Executive Chef supports the Culinary Development team to ensure menu items are executed with excellence in the restaurant. Job Requirements * Proven success as head of kitchen operations in a ...

Crumbl

Research & Development Chef

Provo, UT · On-site

Under the direction of the Director of Research & Development the R&D Chef will execute daily tasks ... Formal culinary degree/education is required * An understanding of general food science * Exemplary ...

Seasons 52

Executive Chef Partner

Mclean, VA · On-site

$80K - $92K/yr

The Executive Chef supports the Culinary Development team to ensure menu items are executed with excellence in the restaurant. Job Requirements Proven success as head of kitchen operations in a high ...

Seasons 52

Executive Chef Partner

Mclean, VA · On-site

$80K - $92K/yr

The Executive Chef supports the Culinary Development team to ensure menu items are executed with excellence in the restaurant. Job Requirements * Proven success as head of kitchen operations in a ...

Capital Grille

Executive Chef Partner

Troy, MI · On-site

$67K - $93K/yr

The Executive Chef supports the Culinary Development team to ensure menu items are executed with excellence in the restaurant. Job Requirements * Proven success as head of kitchen operations in a ...

The Capital Grille

Executive Chef Partner

Meridian, ID · On-site

$67K - $92K/yr

The Executive Chef supports the Culinary Development team to ensure menu items are executed with excellence in the restaurant. Job Requirements * Proven success as head of kitchen operations in a ...

Gecko Hospitality

Executive Chef

Lake Elmo, MN · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

The right candidate will support the culinary development of their team to ensure menu items are ... Chef must possess 3-5 years of high-volume Kitchen Management experience · Proven experience ...

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Culinary Development Chef information

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$32K

$79.3K

$114K

How much do culinary development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary development chef in the United States is $79,308.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $91,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

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Culinary Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Development Chef job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,308 per year, or $38.1 per hour.

Research and Development Chef

FCH Enterprises Inc

Waipahu, HI • On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Research and Development Chef
REPORTS TO: Food Solutions General Manager
STATUS: Exempt
DATE: July 2026
LOCATION: Food Solutions
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Research and Development Chef is responsible for developing innovative food products, improving existing recipes, and translating culinary concepts into scalable, consistent, and commercially viable products. This role combines culinary creativity, production practicality, sensory evaluation, cost awareness, and strong documentation to support new product development, customer needs, operational efficiency, and brand standards.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Develop, test, and refine new recipes, product concepts, ingredients, fillings, toppings, sauces, baked goods, prepared foods, and menu items based on business needs, customer requests, seasonal opportunities, and market trends.
  • Improve existing formulas for taste, texture, appearance, yield, shelf life, cost, production efficiency, consistency, and customer satisfaction.
  • Conduct benchtop trials, production tests, taste panels, and product evaluations; document results, adjustments, costing notes, sensory feedback, and final recommendations.
  • Translate culinary concepts into standardized formulas, procedures, specifications, and production-ready instructions that can be consistently executed at scale.
  • Partner with Production, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Leadership to support product development, commercialization, customer tastings, and launch readiness.
  • Evaluate ingredients, substitutes, and processing methods to support product quality.
  • Support product rollouts by preparing samples, presenting product concepts, troubleshooting development or production challenges, and training production team members on new recipes and preparation standards.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Scheduling:
  • Must be available to start work as early as 5am and stay until work is complete. Typical schedule is Monday-Friday but must be available on weekends and holidays as needed
  • No less than 45 hours per week.

Physical Ability:
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds,
  • Standing for extended periods

Mental Ability:
  • Good decision-making skills (uses independent judgment)
  • Teaching / Coaching skills (able to provide guidance, support, and nurturing)
  • Planning / Organizational skills
  • Evaluation skills

Pre-Employment Requirements:
  • Must pass pre-employment physical, TB or Mantoux test, and drug screening.

Environmental Conditions:
  • Air Conditioned office environment
  • Occasional time spent in the Commissary production areas

Education:
  • High School diploma or GED

Experience:
  • One year in a supervisory position (preferred)
  • Knowledge and experience with basic computer skills
  • Prior experience in a manufacturing environment (preferred)

Desired Skills:
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent communication skills oral and written
  • Active listening skills
  • Self - development skills (desire and ability to learn)
  • Positive attitude and willingness to change
  • Knowledge and experience in various cooking methods and equipment

Desired Attributes:
  • Demonstrates the company's Core Values of "Commitment, Humble, Integrity, Passionate, Supportive".
  • Self-motivated
  • Action-oriented (exercising initiative to follow-up and follow through)
  • High level of accuracy
  • Detail oriented (must be very accurate)
  • Ability to work under minimal supervision
  • Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
  • Team player

Disclaimer:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Salary Description
$85,000 - $100,000

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