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Culinary Product Development Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Alexandria, VA Β· On-site

$18.50 - $23.50/hr

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development β€’ Supports the recruitment, training, and ... Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales ...

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Mclean, VA Β· On-site

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development β€’ Supports the recruitment, training, and ... Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales ...

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Mclean, VA

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development Β· Supports the recruitment, training, and ... Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales ...

Culinary Lead (Sur La Table)

Alexandria, VA Β· On-site

$18.50 - $23.50/hr

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development Β· Supports the recruitment, training, and ... Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales ...

Culinary Lead, FT (Sur La Table)

Mclean, VA Β· On-site

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development β€’ Supports the recruitment, training, and ... Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales ...

Culinary Lead, FT (Sur La Table)

Mclean, VA Β· On-site

$17.50 - $22.25/hr

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development Β· Supports the recruitment, training, and ... Performance is measured by key KPIs such as second-class sign-ups, retail culinary product sales ...

Executive Culinary Manager

Oxon Hill, MD Β· On-site

$72K - $100K/yr

... development. As a leader of a high-energy, guest-facing venue, this role requires a flexible ... product, and maintain strong vendor relationships Maintain food and labor costs according to budget ...

New

Sous Chef

Washington, DC Β· On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

Executive Chef / Culinary Leadership Job Details Ability Culinary (ABLTY) brings refined ... You will set the pace of production, run the pass through service, and answer for what leaves the ...

Sous Chef

Washington, DC Β· On-site

$24.04 - $25.50/hr

The value-added work includes new product development, manufacturing and production, testing, packaging, and scaling. Position Summary The Sous Chef (Culinary Coordinator) is responsible for ...

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Culinary Product Development information

What is culinary product development?

Culinary product development is the process of creating new food products or improving existing ones for restaurants, food manufacturers, or retail markets. This role involves researching food trends, experimenting with recipes and ingredients, conducting taste tests, and ensuring products meet quality, safety, and cost standards. Culinary product developers often collaborate with chefs, food scientists, marketing teams, and suppliers to bring innovative and marketable food items from concept to production.

What are some common challenges faced in a culinary product development role, and how can they be addressed?

Culinary Product Development professionals often encounter challenges such as balancing innovative flavors with production feasibility, meeting strict food safety regulations, and adapting recipes for large-scale manufacturing without compromising quality. To address these, it's important to work closely with cross-functional teams including food scientists, quality assurance, and production staff. Staying updated on industry trends, maintaining clear documentation, and conducting thorough product testing can also help overcome these hurdles and lead to successful product launches.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in culinary product development, and why are they important?

To succeed in Culinary Product Development, you need a strong background in food science, culinary arts, and recipe formulation, often supported by a degree in food science, culinary management, or a related field. Familiarity with product lifecycle management systems, sensory evaluation tools, and food safety certifications like HACCP is highly valued. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help professionals innovate and adapt to market trends while working in cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the development of safe, appealing, and commercially viable food products that meet consumer and regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Culinary Product Development vs Food Scientist?

AspectCulinary Product DevelopmentFood Scientist
CredentialsCooking or culinary arts certifications, culinary degreesFood science degrees, certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, food companiesResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, quality control
Industry UsageFood companies, restaurants, product startupsFood manufacturing, research institutions, regulatory agencies

While Culinary Product Development focuses on creating and testing new food products through culinary techniques, Food Scientists analyze the chemical and physical properties of food to ensure safety, quality, and shelf life. Both roles collaborate closely in the food industry but serve different functions in product innovation and scientific research.

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Product Development jobs in Washington?

For Culinary Product Development jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Product Development jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Product Development jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Culinary Product Development jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Culinary Product Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Culinary Product Development job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution.

Manager Culinary Production-CPM

Washington, DC β€’ On-site

$45K - $49K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

The Manager, Culinary Production is responsible for the leadership and execution of all back-of-house culinary operations, including meal production, recipe adherence, food safety, inventory management, and staff development. This role ensures consistent, high-quality dining experiences for residents, patients, retail guests, and catered events while meeting financial and regulatory requirements.
Working in partnership with the Executive Chef and Registered Dietitian, the Manager, Culinary Production drives operational excellence through standardized systems, staff training, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Culinary Operations
  • Direct daily food production for resident dining, cafΓ©/retail, and catering functions
  • Ensure execution of standardized recipes, portion control, and presentation standards
  • Manage production sheets, batch cooking schedules, and par levels
  • Conduct daily quality checks for taste, texture, temperature, and appearance
  • Support menu rollouts, seasonal programs, and special events

Leadership & Team Development
  • Supervise cooks, leads, and utility staff; provide coaching and performance feedback
  • Train team on culinary techniques, equipment use, and service standards
  • Build staffing schedules aligned with census and service demands
  • Foster a culture of hospitality, teamwork, and accountability

Food Safety & Compliance
  • Enforce HACCP, ServSafe, allergen, and infection prevention standards
  • Monitor temperature logs, cooling procedures, and sanitation practices
  • Ensure compliance with state/local health regulations and company policies
  • Lead corrective actions and audit readiness

Financial & Inventory Management
  • Assist in managing food cost, labor productivity, and waste reduction
  • Oversee ordering, receiving, FIFO rotation, and inventory accuracy
  • Support recipe costing and menu engineering initiatives
  • Maintain production records and purchasing compliance

Collaboration & Service Excellence
  • Partner with Registered Dietitian on therapeutic diets and IDDSI standards
  • Support resident engagement and culinary experience programs
  • Coordinate with front-of-house for seamless service execution
  • Participate in client meetings and quality improvement efforts

Travel
Role requires occasional travel by car or plane to support multiple locations or meetings
This is an exempt salaried position, with expected hours to include: days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Forefront will not discriminate based on race, color, sex, height, weight, disability, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, military service, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or any other protected class in its hiring practices, conditions for transfer or promotion, policies, discipline, discharge, terms, conditions or benefits of employment.
Starting Salary is $45,000 - $49,920
  • Associate degree in Culinary Arts or related field preferred
  • 3-5 years culinary leadership experience in healthcare, senior living, or high-volume food service
  • Experience managing production systems, teams, and food safety programs
  • Knowledge of therapeutic diets preferred
  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Required or Must be obtained within 90 days of employment