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Culinary Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sodexo

Culinary Supervisor

San Diego, CA · On-site

$26.50 - $30/hr

Culinary Supervisor Location: SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER - 93125001 Workdays/shifts: Varying ... Access to ongoing training/development and advancement opportunities to turn your job into a career ...

Sodexo

Culinary Supervisor

San Diego, CA · On-site

$26.50 - $30/hr

Culinary Supervisor Location: SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER - 93125001 Workdays/shifts : Varying ... Access to ongoing training/development and advancement opportunities to turn your job into a career ...

Sodexo Live!

Culinary Supervisor

San Diego, CA

$26.50 - $30/hr

Culinary Supervisor Location: SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER - 93125001 Workdays/shifts : Varying ... Access to ongoing training/development and advancement opportunities to turn your job into a career ...

mendocinofarms

Regional Culinary Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$27 - $35/hr

Clear path for growth and development Summary: The Regional Culinary Manager is a key member of the Management Team who works at their home store and across multiple regional locations. Reporting to ...

Taste Buds Kitchen

Culinary Assistant

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

Formal teaching experience and training in education, childhood development, or related field a ... We provide culinary entertainment to kids, families and adults in a fun, beautiful and ...

Hojokban LA

Culinary Manager

Los Angeles, CA

$70K - $85K/yr

Qualified Culinary Operations Manager candidates must work well with others, have a sense of ... menu development * Write and cost recipes for menu Operational: * Provide thoughtful ideas and ...

Apply Early

Mendocino Farms

Regional Culinary Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$27 - $35/hr

Clear path for growth and development Summary: The Regional Culinary Manager is a key member of the Management Team who works at their home store and across multiple regional locations. Reporting to ...

Alliance Redwoods

Chef

Occidental, CA · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Opportunities for growth and culinary development * Meaningful work serving camps, retreats, and conference guests Schedule * Full-time or part-time opportunities available * Seasonal and year-round ...

Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds

Chef

Occidental, CA · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Opportunities for growth and culinary development * Meaningful work serving camps, retreats, and conference guests Schedule * Full-time or part-time opportunities available * Seasonal and year-round ...

Alliance Redwoods

Chef

Occidental, CA

$20 - $30/hr

Opportunities for growth and culinary development * Meaningful work serving camps, retreats, and conference guests Schedule * Full-time or part-time opportunities available * Seasonal and year-round ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsCulinary Development JobsCulinary Development Jobs in California

Culinary Development information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$66.7K

$87.3K

How much do culinary development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary development in California is $66,718.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,300.00 and $77,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Culinary Development professional typically collaborate with chefs and product teams to create new menu items?

Culinary Development professionals work closely with chefs, food scientists, and product development teams to brainstorm, prototype, and refine new menu offerings. This often involves conducting taste tests, sourcing unique ingredients, and ensuring recipes are scalable for larger production. Regular meetings and feedback sessions are key, as is collaborating with marketing and operations teams to ensure the final product aligns with brand standards and customer preferences. Effective communication and adaptability are essential, as priorities may shift based on market trends or operational constraints.

What is culinary development?

Culinary development is the process of creating, testing, and refining new recipes, menu items, and food concepts for restaurants, food brands, or hospitality businesses. Professionals in this field combine culinary expertise with creativity and market research to develop dishes that meet customer preferences and industry trends. They often collaborate with chefs, nutritionists, and marketing teams to ensure that new offerings are both delicious and commercially viable.

What is the difference between Culinary Development vs Culinary Chef?

AspectCulinary DevelopmentCulinary Chef
CredentialsRelevant culinary certifications, culinary school diplomaProfessional culinary certifications, culinary school diploma
Work EnvironmentResearch and development kitchens, product testing labsRestaurant kitchens, hotel kitchens, catering services
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, product development firms, culinary innovation teamsRestaurants, hotels, hospitality industry
Primary FocusCreating new recipes, developing food products, culinary innovationPreparing dishes, managing kitchen staff, executing menus

While Culinary Development focuses on creating and testing new recipes and food products, Culinary Chefs are responsible for preparing dishes and managing kitchen operations. Both roles require culinary certifications, but their work environments and primary objectives differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Culinary Development, and why are they important?

To excel in Culinary Development, you need a deep understanding of food science, recipe formulation, and culinary techniques, often supported by a degree in culinary arts or food science. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food safety certifications (like ServSafe), and product development software is typically expected. Creativity, strong collaboration, and adaptability are vital soft skills for innovating new dishes and working with cross-functional teams. These abilities ensure successful creation and launch of appealing, safe, and commercially viable food products.
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Culinary Development jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Development jobs in California? For Culinary Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Development jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Culinary Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Culinary Development job openings:
Culinary Development jobs near you
Chef de Partie (Station Lead)

Chef de Partie (Station Lead)

1440 Multiversity

Scotts Valley, CA • On-site

$28 - $32/hr

Full-time

Posted just now

Key responsibilities

  • Lead daily operations of assigned station, including production and service.

  • Supervise, train, and mentor junior cooks such as Commis and Prep Cooks.

  • Ensure sanitation, food safety, and compliance with standard operating procedures at the station.

Job description

Chef de Partie (Station Lead) | Kitchen Table
1440 Multiversity | Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Join Our Team
1440 Multiversity is a nonprofit philanthropic learning destination where food is central to healing, learning, and community. We operate under a classical French brigade system, emphasizing excellence, accountability, mentorship, and pride in craft.
Your Role
As a Chef de Partie (CDP), you are a station leader responsible for executing daily production and service at the highest standard while supervising and mentoring junior cooks. You will be entrusted with full ownership of your assigned station and serve as a critical leader within the kitchen brigade.
This role is ideal for a strong culinary professional ready to lead with technical mastery, accountability, and heart.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead daily operations of your assigned station
  • Supervise, train, and mentor Commis and Prep Cooks
  • Execute menu items and special events at a high level of consistency
  • Ensure sanitation, food safety, FIFO, and SOP compliance
  • Manage station prep, inventory, ordering, and storage
  • Assist with menu development and food presentation
  • Open and close the kitchen independently as scheduled
  • Work closely with Sous Chef and Chef de Cuisine
  • Maintain equipment and report malfunctions
  • Uphold quality, flavor, temperature, and presentation standards
  • Contribute creative ideas and monthly culinary development goals
What We're Looking For
  • Minimum 4 years professional culinary experience
  • 2-3 years as a lead cook or station chef in large-scale kitchens
  • Strong background in farm-to-table and fresh cuisine
  • Proven leadership and mentorship skills
  • High level of professionalism, accountability, and teamwork
  • Ability to manage production, people, and pressure
  • Strong alignment with 1440's mission and culture
  • Willingness to work variable schedules, including evenings and weekends
Why This Role Matters
The Chef de Partie is the backbone of the brigade system - setting the daily standard for quality, consistency, culture, and leadership. This role is the direct career progression from Demi Chef and the final training ground for future Sous Chefs.

Apply