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Culinary Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sodexo Live! has an opportunity for a Senior Mgr., Culinary Development to support a portfolio of premium airport lounges. This Culinary Manager will travel 75-100% to oversee our culinary operations ...

Champion culinary excellence by leading program development, innovation, and execution. * Make a direct impact through coaching, mentoring, and training culinary teams to elevate performance. * Use ...

Champion culinary excellence by leading program development, innovation, and execution. * Make a direct impact through coaching, mentoring, and training culinary teams to elevate performance. * Use ...

Champion culinary excellence by leading program development, innovation, and execution. * Make a direct impact through coaching, mentoring, and training culinary teams to elevate performance. * Use ...

Champion culinary excellence by leading program development, innovation, and execution. * Make a direct impact through coaching, mentoring, and training culinary teams to elevate performance. * Use ...

Champion culinary excellence by leading program development, innovation, and execution. * Make a direct impact through coaching, mentoring, and training culinary teams to elevate performance. * Use ...

Champion culinary excellence by leading program development, innovation, and execution. * Make a direct impact through coaching, mentoring, and training culinary teams to elevate performance. * Use ...

Culinary Experience Specialist

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$38K - $52K/yr

You will begin with a six-month cross-functional development program spanning Culinary, Product Development, Innovation, Quality, Brand, Sales, and Operations. Following successful completion, you ...

You will begin with a six-month cross-functional development program spanning Culinary, Product Development, Innovation, Quality, Brand, Sales, and Operations. Following successful completion, you ...

Culinary Experience Specialist

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$38K - $52K/yr

You will begin with a six-month cross-functional development program spanning Culinary, Product Development, Innovation, Quality, Brand, Sales, and Operations. Following successful completion, you ...

Reporting to the Vice President of Culinary Strategy and Innovation, the Director of Culinary Development serves as the senior culinary leader for Aramark's Salute program -- our military and defense ...

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Culinary Development information

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$47K

$67.6K

$88.5K

How much do culinary development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary development in the United States is $67,603.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,000.00 and $78,500.00 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.
More about Culinary Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Culinary Development jobs? Cities with the most Culinary Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Development jobs? The most popular types of Culinary Development jobs are:
What states have the most Culinary Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Culinary Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Culinary Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,603 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Senior Manager, Culinary Development

Sodexo

Dallas, TX • On-site

$100K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Sodexo rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 1,140 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

329th of 485 rated business services


Job description

Sodexo Live! has an opportunity for a Senior Mgr., Culinary Development to support a portfolio of premium airport lounges. This Culinary Manager will travel 75-100% to oversee our culinary operations across multiple locations throughout the country.
Our airport lounges are dedicated spaces for passengers to relax and rejuvenate while awaiting their next adventure. Join our team of experience makers and food fanatics and be part of creating memorable experiences!
About the job
Bring your culinary expertise to a role where innovation, training, and operational excellence all go together. You'll shape the future of culinary programs by ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance while driving continuous improvement through hands-on support and strategic insight.
Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.
Pay Range: $100130 - $155540
Incentive Eligibility: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary
What's in it for you
  • Champion culinary excellence by leading program development, innovation, and execution.
  • Make a direct impact through coaching, mentoring, and training culinary teams to elevate performance.
  • Use your expertise to shape and refine culinary standards, ensuring consistency and quality across all touchpoints.
  • Collaborate across departments to bring fresh ideas and practical solutions to life.
  • Keep teams aligned and kitchens safe by upholding critical food safety and HACCP standards.
  • Contribute to an environment where creativity is encouraged and operational discipline is celebrated.
  • Stay at the forefront of culinary trends and techniques, helping the organization evolve and excel.

What you'll bring
  • Experience managing culinary operations with a focus on consistency, efficiency, and excellence.
  • A passion for developing others, with a strong background in coaching, training, and mentoring culinary teams.
  • Deep knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and HACCP compliance, ensuring operational integrity.
  • Technical culinary expertise paired with the ability to drive innovation and implement best practices.
  • A collaborative mindset and strong communication skills to effectively partner across departments and lead change.

Requirements
  • Education Requirement: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience Management Experience: 5 years
  • Related Experience: 3 years

What we offer
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
  • 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
  • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
  • Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
Who we are
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you're happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

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