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Culinary Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

the Chef Agency

Culinary Director

Columbus, OH

$100K - $120K/yr

Requirements : * 5+ years of culinary leadership experience, ideally as a Culinary Director or Executive Sous Chef within a hotel or high-volume environment. * Strong financial and analytical acumen ...

the Chef Agency

Culinary Director

Seattle, WA

$115K - $120K/yr

Location - Seattle, WA Salary - $115k-$120k Benefits - PTO, MDV The Culinary Director is responsible for leading the culinary vision and execution across all restaurant concepts within the group ...

Luxury Boutique Hotels

Culinary Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$180K - $200K/yr

An expanding, design-forward boutique hotel group is looking for a Culinary Director to help lead culinary strategy and operations across a portfolio of luxury properties, including several Michelin ...

Joe Van Gogh Inc

Culinary Director

Durham, NC · On-site

$61K - $68K/yr

Culinary Director Job Purpose Summary: The Culinary Director leads the culinary program at Joe Van Gogh. This position directly oversees the management of the South Court Bakery and Woodcroft Kitchen.

One Haus

Culinary Director

Miami, FL · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

- Executive Chef/Culinary Director Position: Executive Chef /Culinary Director Location: Miami, FL - Design District Compensation: $150K - $180K + Profit Sharing + Benefits About the Role A highly ...

New Day Executive Search

Culinary Director

Washington, DC · On-site

$180K - $185K/yr

Culinary Director - Exciting Leadership Opportunity Are you a visionary culinary leader ready to take the helm of a dynamic, growing restaurant portfolio? We are seeking a Culinary Director to lead ...

Estates at Rush City

Culinary Director

Rush City, MN · On-site

$24 - $32/hr

Culinary Director Description: The Culinary Director is responsible for managing the culinary service department in providing quality food and nutritional services to residents. This position ...

stewleonards

Culinary Director

Yonkers, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

The Culinary Director a salary position responsible for overseeing all aspects of culinary production and ensuring that the organization's systems and standard operating procedures are met across ...

M&G Foodstuff

Culinary Director

New York, NY

$130K - $140K/yr

The Culinary Director will lead all culinary operations across M&G Foodstuff's drop-off catering and event divisions, overseeing kitchen leadership, production flow, quality standards, and ...

stewleonards

Culinary Director

Yonkers, NY · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

The Culinary Director a salary position responsible for overseeing all aspects of culinary production and ensuring that the organization's systems and standard operating procedures are met across ...

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$30K

$96.9K

$214K

How much do culinary director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary director in the United States is $96,881.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Culinary Director?

A Culinary Director is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing the culinary operations of a restaurant, hotel, catering company, or hospitality group. They create and implement menus, establish food quality standards, and manage kitchen staff and budgets. Culinary Directors often collaborate with executive chefs to ensure consistency and excellence in food preparation, safety, and presentation. Their role involves both creative menu development and administrative tasks such as cost control and staff training.

What is the difference between Culinary Director vs Executive Chef?

AspectCulinary DirectorExecutive Chef
Primary FocusOversees culinary operations, menu development, and strategic planningManages kitchen staff, food preparation, and daily kitchen operations
CredentialsOften requires culinary certification or extensive experience, leadership skillsTypically requires culinary degree or extensive culinary experience
Work EnvironmentCorporate kitchens, hotel chains, large restaurants, food service companiesRestaurant kitchens, hotels, resorts, culinary establishments
ResponsibilitiesStrategic planning, menu innovation, staff training, quality controlKitchen management, food quality, staff supervision, daily operations

The main difference between a Culinary Director and an Executive Chef lies in their scope of responsibilities. The Culinary Director focuses on strategic oversight and overall culinary operations, often in larger organizations, while the Executive Chef manages daily kitchen activities and food preparation. Both roles require culinary expertise, but the Culinary Director emphasizes leadership and planning at a higher organizational level.

What are some common challenges faced by a Culinary Director in managing multiple kitchens or venues?

A Culinary Director often oversees several kitchens or venues, which can make maintaining consistent food quality, safety standards, and operational efficiency a challenge. Coordinating communication between teams, ensuring staff training, and adapting menus to suit different locations require strong organizational and leadership skills. Building a cohesive vision across all outlets while managing costs and supplier relationships is key to success in this role. Regular site visits and open lines of communication help address these challenges effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Culinary Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Culinary Director, you need extensive culinary expertise, menu development experience, and leadership abilities, typically supported by a degree in culinary arts or hospitality management. Familiarity with inventory management systems, kitchen equipment, and food safety certifications such as ServSafe are commonly required. Exceptional communication, creativity, and organizational skills help a Culinary Director lead teams and maintain high standards. These competencies ensure consistent food quality, efficient kitchen operations, and a positive dining experience that drives business success.

What Is a Culinary Director?

A culinary director is responsible for the overarching targets and goals of restaurants or other food operations. As a culinary director, your duties are to establish a menu, hire chefs and other staff, plan budgets, and determine what to charge for menu items. This career requires numerous years of experience in the service industry, typically including time as an executive chef. Other qualifications may include post-secondary education at a culinary institute or a hospitality school. Essential skills for the job include leadership, budgeting and financial experience, and a strong knowledge of health codes and food safety.

More about Culinary Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Culinary Director jobs? Cities with the most Culinary Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs? The most popular types of Culinary jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Culinary Director jobs? The top employers for Culinary Director jobs are:
What states have the most Culinary Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Culinary Director jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Director jobs are:
Culinary Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,881 per year, or $46.6 per hour.

Culinary Director

Crisp Hotel Management LLC

Wilmington, DE

$75K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

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Culinary Director

Location: Wilmington, DE 19805

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and innovative Culinary Director to lead our culinary operations at our beer garden located at the Residence Inn in Wilmington, DE. The ideal candidate will have a strong background as a hotel culinary director, with a passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences and managing diverse culinary teams.

Key Responsibilities
  • Oversee all culinary operations within the hotel, including multiple dining outlets, banquet services, and room service.
  • Develop and implement creative menus that reflect current trends and meet guest expectations.
  • Manage and mentor culinary staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
  • Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards.
  • Collaborate with hotel management to align culinary offerings with overall brand standards and business goals.
  • Control food costs and manage budgets effectively to maximize profitability.
  • Source high-quality ingredients and maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers.
  • Lead training programs to enhance team skills and maintain high culinary standards.
Qualifications
  • Proven experience as a Culinary Director or Executive Chef in a hotel environment.
  • Strong leadership and team management skills.
  • Excellent knowledge of culinary techniques, food safety, and sanitation regulations.
  • Ability to create innovative menus and adapt to changing guest preferences.
  • Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and controlling costs.
  • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Relevant culinary education or certifications preferred.
How to Apply

If you are a dynamic culinary professional ready to take on a leadership role in a vibrant hotel setting, please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration.

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