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Culinary Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WesleyLife

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Position Summary The Culinary Innovation Specialist will spend 10 weeks immersed in WesleyLife's culinary culture, operations, and innovation efforts. The ideal candidate is a culinary student ...

Edgewater

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Position Summary The Culinary Innovation Specialist will spend 10 weeks immersed in WesleyLife's culinary culture, operations, and innovation efforts. The ideal candidate is a culinary student ...

WesleyLife

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Position Summary The Culinary Innovation Specialist will spend 10 weeks immersed in WesleyLife's culinary culture, operations, and innovation efforts. The ideal candidate is a culinary student ...

WesleyLife

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Position Summary The Culinary Innovation Specialist will spend 10 weeks immersed in WesleyLife's culinary culture, operations, and innovation efforts. The ideal candidate is a culinary student ...

Nestle

Culinary Innovation Chef

Solon, OH · On-site

Overview The Culinary Innovation Chef is responsible for bringing the Nestle Professional Solutions (NPS) portfolio to life through innovative culinary applications, customer-inspired solutions, and ...

Nestle

Associate Culinary Innovation

Solon, OH

Lead the coordination of culinary activities for the NDC Solon-based culinary team, bringing a ... innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestle seeks such skilled and qualified ...

Wendy's

Manager - Culinary Innovation

Dublin, OH

$105K - $184K/yr

Lead culinary innovation by creating trend-forward menu items aligned with brand strategy. Manage formulation, testing, and optimization of new products and processes to drive profitable growth.

Wendy's

Manager - Culinary Innovation

Dublin, OH · On-site

$105K - $184K/yr

Lead culinary innovation by creating trend-forward menu items aligned with brand strategy. Manage formulation, testing, and optimization of new products and processes to drive profitable growth.

Cracker Barrel

Manager Culinary Innovation

Lebanon, TN · On-site

Bachelors or Culinary Arts degree and/or 5-7 years culinary experience with exposure to daily food service/restaurant operations or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge and ...

Cracker Barrel

Manager Culinary Innovation

Lebanon, TN · On-site

Bachelors or Culinary Arts degree and/or 5-7 years culinary experience with exposure to daily food service/restaurant operations or equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge and ...

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How much do culinary innovation jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary innovation in the United States is $18.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is culinary innovation?

Culinary innovation refers to the process of creating new food products, recipes, or dining experiences by combining creativity with culinary expertise. It often involves experimenting with flavors, techniques, and presentation to meet evolving consumer tastes and industry trends. Professionals in this field may work in restaurants, food manufacturing, or hospitality, collaborating with chefs and product developers to bring fresh ideas to the table. Culinary innovation helps businesses stay competitive by offering unique and exciting options to customers.

How does a professional in Culinary Innovation typically collaborate with other departments within a food company?

Professionals in Culinary Innovation regularly work cross-functionally with teams such as product development, marketing, quality assurance, and supply chain. They often translate culinary trends and consumer preferences into viable product concepts, collaborating with food scientists to ensure recipes are scalable and meet safety standards. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as they participate in brainstorming sessions, attend product tastings, and provide culinary expertise during product launches. This collaborative environment allows them to influence multiple stages of the product lifecycle and see their ideas brought to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Culinary Innovation, and why are they important?

To excel in Culinary Innovation, you need a strong background in culinary arts, food science, and recipe development, often supported by experience in professional kitchens or a relevant degree. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety certifications, and product development software is typically required. Creativity, adaptability, and strong collaboration skills help drive the creation of unique dishes and successful teamwork. These abilities are crucial for developing innovative food concepts that meet market demands and maintain high-quality standards.

What is the difference between Culinary Innovation vs Food Scientist?

AspectCulinary InnovationFood Scientist
Required CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degrees, culinary arts experienceFood science degrees, certifications in food safety and technology
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, R&D kitchens, culinary labsResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, food development centers
Employer & Industry UsageRestaurants, food companies, culinary startupsFood manufacturing, research institutions, regulatory agencies

While both roles focus on food development, Culinary Innovation emphasizes creating new recipes and culinary concepts, often in a kitchen setting. Food Scientists focus on the scientific aspects of food, including safety, preservation, and formulation, typically working in research labs. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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What cities are hiring for Culinary Innovation jobs?

Cities with the most Culinary Innovation job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Innovation jobs?

The most popular types of Culinary Innovation jobs are:

What states have the most Culinary Innovation jobs?

States with the most job openings for Culinary Innovation jobs include:

Culinary Innovation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Innovation job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,420 per year, or $19 per hour.

Culinary Innovation Specialist

WesleyLife

Johnston, IA • On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Part-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

WesleyLife rating

4.6

Company rating: 4.6 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Position Summary

The Culinary Innovation Specialist will spend 10 weeks immersed in WesleyLife's culinary culture, operations, and innovation efforts. The ideal candidate is a culinary student, recent culinary graduate, or emerging culinary professional who is passionate about food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, and improving the dining experience for older adults. This position is designed as a talent pipeline opportunity, with the goal of identifying future culinary team members interested in joining WesleyLife following the completion of the program.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities 

  • Participate in community tours and culinary immersion experiences. 
  • Research industry-leading adaptive dining and finger-food programs. 
  • Develop creative culinary concepts and recipes. 
  • Conduct recipe testing, tastings, and resident evaluations. 
  • Analyze nutrition, production feasibility, and food costs. 
  • Create standardized recipes and production procedures. 
  • Document culinary innovations. 
  • Gather resident and team member feedback. 
  • Assist in establishing the framework for future WesleyLife culinary internship programs. 
  • Present a final project and recommendations to WesleyLife leadership. 

Education & Experience 

  • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Culinary Arts, Hospitality, Food Science, Nutrition, or related program
  • ServSafe Certification required  
  • Passion for culinary innovation and hospitality
  • Strong communication and organizational skills
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Previous restaurant, hotel, healthcare, or foodservice experience preferred 
  • Interest in senior living, wellness, healthcare dining, or culinary research and development
  • Interest in pursuing a culinary career within WesleyLife following the completion of the program

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