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Culinary Director Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

... Our Director of Culinary becomes family and impacts the lives of our residents who live in a Lifespark Senior Living Community.    In this position you are responsible for meeting high ...

Culinary Services Director

Mankato, MN · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

As the Culinary Services Director , you will be responsible for providing overall leadership and management of the food and beverage and dining services operations in the community. These ...

Culinary Services Director

Cloquet, MN · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

As the Culinary Services Director , you will be responsible for providing overall leadership and management of the food and beverage and dining services operations in the community. These ...

Director- Culinary

Edina, MN · On-site

$58K - $74K/yr

Our Director of Culinary becomes family and impacts the lives of our residents who live in a Lifespark Senior Living Community. In this position you are responsible for meeting high standards in the ...

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Culinary Director information

See Minnesota salary details

$29.4K

$94.9K

$209.6K

How much do culinary director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 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.

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:

Infographic showing various Culinary Director job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. 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

Monarch Healthcare Management

Saint Louis Park, MN • On-site

$26 - $28/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Monarch Healthcare Management rating

5.6

Company rating: 5.6 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

159th of 245 rated social care providers


Job description

) Monarch Healthcare Management Benefits Include:
  • UKG Wallet - get paid the next day!
  • Free Single Medical Insurance
  • Loan reimbursement.
  • Scholarship Opportunities
  • Paid Time Off - Vacation Time
  • 401k with annual contribution match
  • Referral bonuses
  • Career path to other positions within our growing company!

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 provides therapeutic meal service based on RDA requirements and standards set forth for quality food provision. The Director provides supervision and leadership to all Culinary Services personnel to assure that services are provided in a consistent quality manner. Planning, organizing, controlling and directing all functions of the Culinary Services department are essential to this position.
Qualifications:
  • Must be a graduate of or currently enrolled in an approved Culinary Services Director's course that meets the requirements for State and Federal long-term care regulations.
  • Must have management and leadership qualities with a basic understanding of budgeting, food purchasing and menu planning.
  • Must have strong clear communication is a must as well as a commitment to improving the knowledge and skill of culinary services to older persons.
  • Must be able to perform essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Must qualify for employment, after criminal background check, per guidelines of the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
  • Experience in healthcare, skilled nursing facility or assisted living community

About Monarch:
Monarch Healthcare Management is a mission-driven company that is changing the way short-term rehabilitation and long-term care are delivered. Our employees embody our motto, Where CARE and CUSTOMER SERVICE Come Together, by always putting the needs of residents and families first across Monarch's network of 60+ skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in Minnesota.
Partnering with higher research institutes and international tech companies, Monarch has been nationally recognized for its innovation in the care of our residents, making a meaningful impact on their quality of life and interactions.
We value our employees and work hard to attract and retain the best talent by offering a positive and supportive work environment along with competitive pay, fun perks, career development opportunities, and great benefits.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

What Monarch Healthcare Management employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Monarch Healthcare Management

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Monarch Healthcare Management is a leading name in the healthcare industry located in Mankato, MN, US. Founded with an aim to provide top-quality healthcare services, the company has an immense focus on senior living, including transitional care, long-term care, and skilled nursing services. Monarchmn.com, the official online platform for the company, offers a detailed outlook into the various services they provide and how they strive to achieve excellence in those areas. They align their actions and operations with a mission to lead the healthcare industry in innovative healthcare services while enhancing the quality of life for those they serve.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Eagan, MN, US

Year founded

2005

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