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Culinary Development Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Culinary & Operational Leadership * Support menu development, daily production, and food presentation standards. * Step into operations directly (line, banquets, catering) as business demands ...

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Culinary & Operational Leadership * Support menu development, daily production, and food presentation standards. * Step into operations directly (line, banquets, catering) as business demands ...

Hotel

Be Seen First

Lead Culinary Supervisor

Chicago, IL · On-site

$30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

need an experienced, creative and motivated culinary professional to join our culinary team. This ... Also need experience in menu development, calculating food costs, purchasing and must have a ...

JJC Enterprises

Adjunct Faculty, Culinary Arts

Joliet, IL

$1.2K/day

  • Retirement

POSITION SUMMARY Chef instructor position conducting "hands on" practical classes in food production, fabrication, professional culinary skill and technique development, AND/OR baking and pastry, in ...

CSC Generation

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.75 - $22.75/hr

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development • Supports the recruitment, training, and ongoing development of a high-performing team to meet the culinary business needs. • Lead, coach, and ...

CSC Generation

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Chicago, IL

$21 - $22.34/hr

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development · Supports the recruitment, training, and ongoing development of a high-performing team to meet the culinary business needs. · Lead, coach, and ...

Gardant

Assistant Culinary Director- 2nd shift

Centralia, IL · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Under the supervision of the Culinary Services Director, our Assistant Culinary Services Director ... Attends continuous learning and development opportunities through attendance and participation in ...

Gardant

Assistant Culinary Director- 2nd shift

Centralia, IL · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Under the supervision of the Culinary Services Director, our Assistant Culinary Services Director ... Attends continuous learning and development opportunities through attendance and participation in ...

Chick-fil-A

Culinary Manager

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Up to $22/hour BENEFITS:$2,500 scholarship, free food, cash bonuses, flexible schedules, paid training program, incentive & bonus programs, performance rewards, leadership development opportunities ...

Chick-fil-A

Culinary Manager

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Up to $22/hour BENEFITS: $2,500 scholarship, free food, cash bonuses, flexible schedules, paid training program, incentive & bonus programs, performance rewards, leadership development opportunities ...

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Culinary Development information

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.

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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Culinary Development jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Culinary Development jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Development jobs in Illinois?

For Culinary Development jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Development jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Development jobs in Illinois are:

Culinary Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Development job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Compass Group

Chicago, IL • On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 1,089 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

344th of 492 rated business services

Job description

Salary: $95000 - $100000 / year

What makes FLIK click


What makes FLIK click? Our people. The decisions, actions and attitudes of our associates earn the trust and loyalty of our clients every day. We know how to pick them and we know how to grow them. It starts with hiring people who share our passion for food and hospitality. Once we find the right talent, we encourage, value and recognize their contributions.
 

We keep our people renewed, excited and engaged by providing hands-on training and educating them about the latest trends. We give them a stake in successfully raising the bar. Our people love what they do and they love sharing their passion. Join our team and see the FLIK difference. Where a job isn't merely a job but the start of a career where you can flourish.

Job Summary

As Executive Sous Chef, you serve as the second-in-command of the culinary team, supporting both the Executive Chef and the overall success of the entire operation. This role blends your culinary expertise, leadership, and accountability to ensure high-quality food execution, compliance with standards, and a positive team environment.

Key Expectations:

Acting Authority

  • Assume full culinary decision-making responsibility in the absence of the Executive Chef, including oversight of menu execution, kitchen operations, and client-facing needs.

Culinary & Operational Leadership

  • Support menu development, daily production, and food presentation standards.
  • Step into operations directly (line, banquets, catering) as business demands, including during call-offs or high-volume events.

Staff Coaching & Development

  • Lead, coach, and mentor sous chefs and front-line associates to strengthen skills, teamwork, and accountability.
  • Foster a positive and professional work environment, setting the tone for collaboration and respect in the kitchen.

Client & FOH Engagement

  • Partner with the Executive Chef in client tastings, catering events, and direct client interaction.
  • Maintain strong collaboration with FOH leadership to deliver seamless service.

Compliance & Safety

  • Oversee EHA responsibilities, ensuring accurate daily logs, sanitation practices, and food safety standards are consistently met.
  • Prepare the team for corporate and Flik/Compass audits, reviewing documentation for accuracy and completeness.

Training & Accountability

  • Provide ongoing training for kitchen staff, including food safety, compliance, and culinary development.
  • Ensure accountability for audit readiness, holding staff to Flik and Compass requirements.

Commitment

  • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate (minimum 10-hour standard days, 12-hour event days).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • B.S. Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Services Technology/Management/or related field; or A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts with additional specialized training
  • 3-5 years of relevant culinary experience
  • Mastery of a wide variety of kitchen positions and stations
  • Ability to think on their feet, as well as create, produce, and serve on the fly
  • Knowledge of food cost and how it pertains to a kitchen, product and quality identification
  • Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and oral/written communication skills
  • Applied food service sanitation certification, SERVSAFE, and/or HACCP federal guideline certification
  • Demonstrated understanding of current culinary market/trends and creative food presentation preferred

Apply to Flik today!

Flik is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

 

Associates at Flik Hospitality are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. 

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_FlikHospitality.pdf 

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. 

Flik maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1556007

Flik Hospitality Group 

JEANNE M LANE 

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