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Culinary Development Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Culinary R&D Specialist

Lynn, MA · On-site

$36K - $48K/yr

JOB SUMMARY The Culinary R&D Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

Culinary Operations Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

This role oversees all aspects of culinary operations, including menu development, recipe execution, cost management, quality control, and staff training. Additionally, this position plays a critical ...

Culinary Operations Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

This role oversees all aspects of culinary operations, including menu development, recipe execution, cost management, quality control, and staff training. Additionally, this position plays a critical ...

Culinary Operations Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

This hands-on leadership role involves kitchen systems management and innovation, culinary training development, new location openings, event preparation, and team development both locally and at off ...

Culinary Supervisor Location: GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - 10025001 Workdays/shifts ... Access to ongoing training/development and advancement opportunities to turn your job into a career ...

Culinary Supervisor

South Hamilton, MA · On-site

$26 - $32/hr

Culinary Supervisor Location: GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - 10025001 Workdays/shifts ... Access to ongoing training/development and advancement opportunities to turn your job into a career ...

Culinary Supervisor Location: GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - 10025001 Workdays/shifts ... Access to ongoing training/development and advancement opportunities to turn your job into a career ...

Culinary Supervisor Location: GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - 10025001 Workdays/shifts ... Access to ongoing training/development and advancement opportunities to turn your job into a career ...

Culinary Developer

Lynn, MA · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Requires three - five years in Product Development * On-the-job training of 3-6 months. * Must be ... Creative culinary skills with commercial mindset * Ability to prioritize multiple projects - highly ...

Requires three - five years in Product Development * On-the-job training of 3-6 months. * Must be ... Creative culinary skills with commercial mindset * Ability to prioritize multiple projects - highly ...

Row 34 Cambridge is in search of a Sous Chef to join the team to further impact culinary development and kitchen operations. The Sous Chef will work closely with the Chef de Cuisine to execute the ...

Sous Chef - Cambridge

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Row 34 Cambridge is in search of a Sous Chef to join the team to further impact culinary development and kitchen operations. The Sous Chef will work closely with the Chef de Cuisine to execute the ...

Row 34 Cambridge is in search of an Executive Sous Chef to join the team to further impact culinary development and kitchen operations. The Executive Sous Chef will work closely with the Chef de ...

Row 34 Cambridge is in search of an Executive Sous Chef to join the team to further impact culinary development and kitchen operations. The Executive Sous Chef will work closely with the Chef de ...

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Culinary Development information

See Massachusetts salary details

$51.3K

$73.8K

$96.7K

How much do culinary development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary development in Massachusetts is $73,831.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,100.00 and $85,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary development chef?

A culinary development chef is responsible for creating, testing, and refining new recipes and menu items for restaurants, food companies, or culinary institutions. They often work in test kitchens, collaborate with chefs and product teams, and use culinary skills and food science knowledge to innovate and improve offerings.

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.

How to get into food R&D?

To enter food research and development (R&D), candidates typically need a background in food science, culinary arts, or a related field, along with strong creativity and problem-solving skills. Gaining experience through internships, entry-level positions, or working in food product development helps build relevant expertise. Familiarity with food safety standards, laboratory techniques, and product formulation is also beneficial.

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 jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the culinary development field, high-paying roles such as executive chefs, culinary directors, or restaurant owners can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially in high-end or celebrity establishments. These positions often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and sometimes ownership or profit-sharing arrangements.

What is the highest paying job in the culinary industry?

Executive chefs and culinary directors are among the highest-paid roles in the culinary industry, often earning six-figure salaries, especially in luxury hotels, fine dining establishments, or corporate food services. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often advanced culinary certifications or management training.
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Development jobs in Massachusetts? For Culinary Development jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Development jobs in Massachusetts look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Development jobs in Massachusetts are:
Infographic showing various Culinary Development job openings in Massachusetts as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Internship, 78% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $73,831 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Director of Food & Culinary Development

Waxy's

Brookline, MA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Company Description
We are an exciting high end bar and restaurant concept based in MA, with locations across the United States. We are currently expanding both our corporate and franchise footprint nationally. We are looking for a highly qualified and experienced Director of Food & Culinary Development to join our growing team.
Job Description
The Director of Food & Culinary Development will;
- Work alongside other members of the kitchen management team, the director of operations and the director of restaurant excellence to create and maintain eclectic menus that satisfy guests.
- Lead and mentor KM's and AKM's across the company
- Be responsible for managing food costs, upholding menu standards, and controlling inventory on a location by location basis reporting monthly to the director of operations. The successful candidate will be required to maintain satisfactory company wide food costs.
- Work to create event-specific menus for occasions such as banquets, functions, and catered meetings.
- Be involved in all of the restaurants day-to-day functions, including staff management, guest interactions, office administration duties, vendor communications, and BOH labor costs.
- Will oversee the management of staff and may address issues that lower levels of management are unable to resolve.
- Be required to ensure that operational standards are met in regards to sanitation codes and laws, food storage, and loss prevention.
- Work with a variety of staff members in a fast-paced environment, as such they must be excellent communicators with the ability to multitask and think quickly when under pressure.
- Be required to work long and perhaps erratic hours, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays (along with travel). Coupled with long hours, there is a great deal of physical exertion expected of the Director of Food & Culinary Development . They must be on their feet for a majority of the day, and there may be moderate to heavy lifting involved.
- Work alongside the VP of Marketing and other marketing and promotional staff to ensure that our food offerings and company culinary image are coherently and consistently represented to our target demographic market
- Direct and develop new kitchen staff at openings of corporate and franchise locations.
Qualifications
The Director of Food & Culinary Development will;
- Have a strong hospitality and/or culinary bachelors and/or masters degree.
- Have adequate experience working in a similar position with a regional/national restaurant/bar company.
- Be an experienced service industry professional who oversees kitchen personnel and food planning in high volume restaurants and bars
- Oversee a long list of responsibilities, all of which serve to enhance and influence the overall guest experience while maintaining compliance with company practices, cost projections, and mission statements.
- Have a passion for new menu development, style and presentation
- Pursue restaurant excellence and have pride in your kitchens performance
Additional Information
- Salary based on experience and or aptitude.
- We offer a comprehensive benefits package to suitable candidates