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Culinary Research Development Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Zippy's

Research and Development Chef

Waipahu, HI · On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Research and Development Chef REPORTS TO: Food Solutions General Manager STATUS: Exempt DATE: July ... This role combines culinary creativity, production practicality, sensory evaluation, cost awareness ...

Mendocino Farms

DIRECTOR OF CULINARY OPERATIONS

Plano, TX · On-site +1

$140K - $180K/yr

The Director of Culinary R&D will be responsible for leading menu innovation and product ... Collaborate with our R&D Chef to refine recipes, ensuring they are operationally executable at ...

Coursekingdom

$100 - $125/hr

Senior R&D Chef (all genders) We are seeking a Senior R&D Chef to join the culinary team of our newest brand, Factor: a healthy, ready-to-heat meal delivery service. At Factor, our goal is to ...

KAGOME, Inc.

Business Development Chef

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$77K - $127K/yr

Certified Research Chef or Certified Culinary Scientist, a plus * Years and Type of Related ... Well developed in communications skills, both oral and written * Directly interfaces with internal ...

Kagome Inc.

Business Development Chef

San Carlos, CA · On-site

Certified Research Chef or Certified Culinary Scientist, a plus * Years and Type of Related ... Well developed in communications skills, both oral and written * Directly interfaces with internal ...

Ruprecht Company

R&D Chef

Mundelein, IL · On-site

Qualifications and Education Requirements • Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts with concentration in food science / R&D preferred • 1 to 3 years R&D Chef Experience • Must be Proficient in MS ...

RUPRECHT CO

R&D Chef

Mundelein, IL · On-site

Qualifications and Education Requirements Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts with concentration in food science / R&D preferred 1 to 3 years R&D Chef Experience Must be Proficient in MS Office Suite ...

Kilcoy Global Foods

R&D Chef

Mundelein, IL · On-site

Qualifications and Education Requirements · Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts with concentration in food science / R&D preferred · 1 to 3 years R&D Chef Experience · Must be Proficient in MS ...

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How much do culinary research development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for culinary research development chef in the United States is $83,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $117,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary research development chef?

A Culinary Research Development Chef is a professional chef who specializes in creating and developing new recipes, food products, and menu items for restaurants, food manufacturers, or culinary brands. They combine their culinary expertise with food science to innovate and improve flavors, textures, and nutritional value. These chefs often work in test kitchens, collaborating with food scientists, marketing teams, and production staff to ensure new products are delicious, safe, and commercially viable. Their work helps bring new food concepts from idea to table, often influencing food trends and industry standards.

How does a culinary research development chef typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during the product development process?

Culinary Research Development Chefs frequently work alongside food scientists, marketing professionals, and production teams to create innovative recipes and products. This collaboration often involves participating in brainstorming sessions, conducting taste panels, and iterating on formulations to meet both culinary standards and production feasibility. Clear communication and openness to feedback are essential, as these chefs must balance creativity with technical constraints and market demands. Strong teamwork skills ensure that concepts move smoothly from kitchen prototypes to large-scale manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary research development chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Culinary Research Development Chef, you need expertise in culinary arts, food science, and recipe development, often supported by a culinary degree and relevant industry experience. Familiarity with food safety regulations, R&D kitchen equipment, and product development software is highly beneficial. Creative problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help you excel in innovating and refining new food products. These abilities ensure successful product launches that meet quality, safety, and market expectations.

What is the difference between Culinary Research Development Chef vs Food Scientist?

AspectCulinary Research Development ChefFood Scientist
CredentialsCulinary degree or culinary certifications, culinary experienceDegree in food science, chemistry, or related field
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, food companiesLaboratories, research facilities, manufacturing plants
Industry UsageDevelops new food products, recipes, and flavorsResearches food properties, safety, and quality

The Culinary Research Development Chef focuses on creating new recipes and food products through culinary expertise, often working in test kitchens. In contrast, a Food Scientist conducts scientific research on food properties, safety, and quality, typically in laboratory settings. Both roles are essential in food innovation but differ in their approach and daily tasks.

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Culinary Research Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Research Development Chef job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,794 per year, or $40.3 per hour.

Research and Development Chef

Waipahu, HI • On-site

Zippy's
Food Services and Drinking Places • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Zippy'sexternal

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Description


POSITION TITLE: Research and Development Chef

REPORTS TO: Food Solutions General Manager

STATUS: Exempt

DATE: July 2026

LOCATION: Food Solutions



POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Research and Development Chef is responsible for developing innovative food products, improving existing recipes, and translating culinary concepts into scalable, consistent, and commercially viable products. This role combines culinary creativity, production practicality, sensory evaluation, cost awareness, and strong documentation to support new product development, customer needs, operational efficiency, and brand standards.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

  • Develop, test, and refine new recipes, product concepts, ingredients, fillings, toppings, sauces, baked goods, prepared foods, and menu items based on business needs, customer requests, seasonal opportunities, and market trends.
  • Improve existing formulas for taste, texture, appearance, yield, shelf life, cost, production efficiency, consistency, and customer satisfaction.
  • Conduct benchtop trials, production tests, taste panels, and product evaluations; document results, adjustments, costing notes, sensory feedback, and final recommendations.
  • Translate culinary concepts into standardized formulas, procedures, specifications, and production-ready instructions that can be consistently executed at scale.
  • Partner with Production, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Leadership to support product development, commercialization, customer tastings, and launch readiness.
  • Evaluate ingredients, substitutes, and processing methods to support product quality.
  • Support product rollouts by preparing samples, presenting product concepts, troubleshooting development or production challenges, and training production team members on new recipes and preparation standards.


QUALIFICATIONS: 

Scheduling: 

  • Must be available to start work as early as 5am and stay until work is complete. Typical schedule is Monday-Friday but must be available on weekends and holidays as needed 
  •  No less than 45 hours per week. 

Physical Ability: 

  •  Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, 
  •  Standing for extended periods

Mental Ability: 

  •  Good decision-making skills (uses independent judgment) 
  •  Teaching / Coaching skills (able to provide guidance, support, and nurturing) 
  •  Planning / Organizational skills 
  •  Evaluation skills 

Pre-Employment Requirements: 

  •  Must pass pre-employment physical, TB or Mantoux test, and drug screening. 

Environmental Conditions: 

  •  Air Conditioned office environment 
  •  Occasional time spent in the Commissary production areas 

Education: 

  •  High School diploma or GED 

Experience: 

  •  One year in a supervisory position (preferred) 
  •  Knowledge and experience with basic computer skills
  •  Prior experience in a manufacturing environment (preferred)

Desired Skills: 

  •  Excellent interpersonal skills 
  •  Excellent communication skills oral and written 
  •  Active listening skills 
  •  Self - development skills (desire and ability to learn) 
  •  Positive attitude and willingness to change 
  •  Knowledge and experience in various cooking methods and equipment

Desired Attributes: 

  •  Demonstrates the company's Core Values of "Commitment, Humble, Integrity, Passionate, Supportive". 
  •  Self-motivated 
  •  Action-oriented (exercising initiative to follow-up and follow through) 
  •  High level of accuracy 
  •  Detail oriented (must be very accurate) 
  •  Ability to work under minimal supervision 
  •  Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines. 
  •  Team player 

Disclaimer: 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.


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