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Culinary Director Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

SilverCrest

Culinary Director

Lakeville, MN

$75K - $78K/yr

Culinary Director $75,000-$78,000/year | Full-Time The Crest at Lakeville | A Silvercrest Community The Crest at Lakeville, a part of Silvercrest Properties, is hiring a Culinary Director to lead ...

Estates at Delano

Culinary Service Director

Delano, MN · On-site

$25.24 - $33.36/hr

Culinary Director This position is a shared role between the Estates at Delano and the Estates at Excelsior. It is a requirement for candidates to be available to travel to both facilities.

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All JobsCulinary JobsCulinary Director JobsCulinary Director Jobs in Minnesota

Culinary Director information

See Minnesota salary details

$29.4K

$94.9K

$209.6K

How much do culinary director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary director in Minnesota is $94,886.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,800.00 and $120,500.00 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 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.

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 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 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.

How much does a culinary director make in the US?

A culinary director in the US typically earns between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the organization. They often oversee kitchen operations, menu development, and staff management, requiring strong leadership and culinary skills.

Is a culinary director higher than an executive chef?

A culinary director typically holds a higher leadership position than an executive chef, overseeing multiple kitchens or restaurant groups and focusing on overall culinary strategy, branding, and menu development. An executive chef usually manages daily kitchen operations within a single establishment. The hierarchy can vary by organization, but generally, the culinary director has broader responsibilities and authority.
More about Culinary Director jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Director jobs in Minnesota?

For Culinary Director jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Director jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Director jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Culinary Director jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Culinary Director job openings:

Culinary Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Director job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,886 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

Culinary Director

SilverCrest

Lakeville, MN

$75K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Culinary Director
$75,000–$78,000/year | Full-Time  
The Crest at Lakeville | A Silvercrest Community 
The Crest at Lakeville, a part of Silvercrest Properties, is hiring a Culinary Director to lead daily dining operations in our senior living community.  This is a full-time leadership role with competitive pay, strong benefits, and a mission-driven culture.
If you have food service leadership experience in senior living, healthcare, or hospitality and want a role where your work truly matters, we'd love to meet you.

Why You’ll Love This Role 

  • Competitive Pay: $75,000–$78,000 per year (credit for experience) 
  • Schedule: Full-time | Day Shift 
  • Mission-Driven Work: Make a meaningful impact in residents’ lives every day 
  • Supportive Team Culture: Collaborative leadership and strong operational support 
  • Fast Hiring Process: Apply today and hear back within 48 hours 

What You’ll Do:

  • Lead all daily dining operations, including resident meals, guest service, and special events 
  • ​​​​​​​Ensure compliance with food service regulations and maintain survey readiness 
  • Hire, train, coach, and develop dining team members
  • Manage schedules, labor costs, payroll coordination, and departmental budgets 
  • Oversee inventory, ordering, forecasting, and vendor relationships 
  • Plan and execute menus, catering, and in-unit functions 

What you will need:

  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Previous experience as a chef, cook, or in a hospitality position required.
  • Two years of experience as a culinary leader is preferred.
  • Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate and ServSafe certification preferred.

Benefits Available: 

  • Medical Healthcare
  • Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Voluntary Life and AD&D
  • Accident Insurance
  • Legal Shield
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Pay
  • Health Savings Accounts
  • 401K (eligible to contribute after 30 days of employment) 
  • Nice Healthcare (virtual and in-home visits)
  • Short & Long-term Disability
  • Critical Insurance
  • LifeLock ID Theft w/ Norton Cyber Security
  • Pet Insurance

To apply, please complete the required questionnaire. We accept applications on a rolling basis.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, citizenship status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related conditions), political affiliation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please let us know. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants.

Applicants for this position must be able to produce a negative drug test. Applicants may be subject to a background check. Employees in this position must be able to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of the position. If requested, this organization will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to enable employees with disabilities to perform the position’s essential job duties. As markets change and the Organization grows, job descriptions may change over time as requirements and employee skill levels evolve. With this understanding, this organization retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

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