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Culinary Development Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Ability Culinary

Sous Chef

Washington, DC

$65K - $80K/yr

Executive Chef / Culinary Leadership Job Details Ability Culinary (ABLTY) brings refined ... Contribute to R&D: test, refine, cost, and write specs for new dishes so any cook on the line can ...

Marriott

Voyage United States Culinary

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$81K - $111K/yr

Our global leadership development program, Voyage, propels participants on a mentored, learning ... Accounting Banquets Culinary Event Operations Event Planning Facilities Management/Engineering Food ...

NeoDym Technologies

Sous Chef - Full time

Sterling, VA · On-site

$60K - $64K/yr

Position Summary We are seeking a passionate and creative Sous Chef to support culinary operations, recipe development, menu creation, food presentation, product demonstrations, and client engagement.

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Culinary Development information

See Washington salary details

$53.2K

$76.6K

$100.2K

How much do culinary development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary development in Washington is $76,567.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,300.00 and $88,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 Washington?

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

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

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

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

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

Culinary Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Development job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,567 per year, or $36.8 per hour.

Assistant Manager Culinary Operations

Washington, DC • On-site

Occasions
11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Occasionsexternal

$60K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Manage the culinary and food service operations, including inventory, ordering, and receiving.

  • Develop menus, control costs, and oversee purchasing and sourcing of local food products.

  • Ensure the success of both culinary and food service operations through day-to-day management activities.

Job description

Position Title:  Assistant Manager Culinary Operations

Pay Grade:  11

Salary:   $60,000 to $65,000

Diversity of thought and inclusion for all is what drives our success - we invite you to start your journey with us today!


a vision for creating remarkable events

FOOD FIRST. INSPIRED BY INGREDIENTS. GREAT SERVICE.

About our Company

Since 1986, Occasions Caterers has worked closely with our clients to create remarkable events.  We have grown in size but maintain a boutique approach to full-service catering with a focus on custom menus, creative décor, expert planning and gracious service. We craft experiences through food, design and hospitality to reflect your unique style, taste and vision. With over thirty years of experience, we have an unmatched scope of knowledge, resources and relationships to produce events that exceed expectation and delight in every way. Occasions Caterers has a mission to have dedicated team members who support and work together to create exceptional catered experiences each and every day.

If you want to be a part of an exceptional team who values Excellence by setting the bar high, Integrity by living our values, Respect by valuing the contributions of every team member, Teamwork by supporting each other, and Innovation by keeping things exciting, please see our open position below.

Job Summary

  We are seeking a Assistant Manager Culinary Operations. In this role you will be responsible for the success of both the culinary and food service operation. 

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Full culinary management of food service operation to include inventory, ordering and receiving
  • Proficient in menu development, cost controls, purchasing and inventory with a focus on sourcing and utilizing local food products
  • Possesses a passion for sustainability

Preferred Qualifications:  

  • Must have a working knowledge of HACCP
  • Three years of culinary management experience in contract foodservice,high volume luxury off-premise catering
  • Extensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
  • Experience with exposition cooking needed
  • Knowledge of finacials and cost control
  • ServSafe certified is a plus

Associates at Occasions are offered many fantastic benefits.

Both full-time and part-time positions offer the following benefits to associates:

  • Retirement Plan
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Voluntary Benefits, including Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Legal Services, and Choice Auto and Home Program

In addition, full-time positions also offer the following benefits to associates:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Occasions maintains a drug-free workplace.

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_Occasions.pdf

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry

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.