ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Culinary Research Development Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Continental Services

Executive Chef

Rochester Hills, MI · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Conduct research and development of new culinary trends and ideas for menus. * Oversee menu testing, prototyping and recipe compliance and generation. * Complete weekly production sheets. * Complete ...

Sidecar Plymouth LLC

Sushi Line Cook

Plymouth, MI · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

Training & development Benefits/Perks * Flexible Scheduling * Competitive Compensation * Career ... Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCulinary Research Development JobsCulinary Research Development Jobs in Michigan

Culinary Research Development information

See Michigan salary details

$11

$22

$34

How much do culinary research development jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary research development in Michigan is $22.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $26.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are culinary research development jobs?

Culinary research and development jobs focus on using food science and the culinary arts to create new food and drink options for a menu. Common job titles include research chef, culinary research and development specialist, and culinary research and development chef. In any of these roles, you may select the ingredients for each recipe, help determine whether or not a dish should go on the menu, and focus on using innovation during the R&D process to meet the company's goals. This job has two major components. First, on the culinary side, your job is to create the best dishes you can. On the other hand, employers also expect you to consider the practical and business aspects of a dish. This includes how costly the ingredients are, how easy the ingredients are to get, whether or not it's possible to work the ingredients into a supply chain, and how easy it is for another chef to replicate the dish in a timely manner.

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

Culinary Research and Development (R&D) is a specialized field that focuses on creating, testing, and improving food products, recipes, and cooking techniques. Professionals in this area work in various settings, such as food manufacturing companies, restaurants, and test kitchens, to innovate and develop new menu items or packaged foods. They blend culinary creativity with scientific principles to ensure products are safe, tasty, and marketable. Culinary R&D often involves collaborating with chefs, food scientists, and marketing teams to bring new food concepts to life.

What are some common challenges faced in a culinary research development role and how can they be overcome?

Professionals in Culinary Research Development often encounter challenges such as balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness, adapting recipes for large-scale production, and meeting diverse dietary requirements. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—like marketing, nutrition, and manufacturing—is essential to ensure that products are innovative yet feasible. Staying up-to-date with food trends and consumer preferences also requires ongoing research and flexibility. Success in this role often depends on strong project management skills and open communication within the team.

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

AspectCulinary Research DevelopmentFood Scientist
CredentialsCooking and culinary certifications, culinary degreesFood science degrees, certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, product development kitchensLaboratories, manufacturing facilities, research centers
Industry UsageFood companies, restaurants, product development firmsFood manufacturing, research institutions, quality control

While Culinary Research Development focuses on creating and testing new recipes and culinary concepts, Food Scientists analyze food properties, safety, and quality. Both roles often collaborate but serve different primary functions within the food industry.

More about Culinary Research Development jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Research Development jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Culinary Research Development jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Research Development jobs in Michigan?

For Culinary Research Development jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Research Development jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Research Development jobs in Michigan are:

Culinary Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Research Development job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,234 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

Director of Culinary Development

Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace

Troy, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Nino Salvaggio rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Benefits:
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee discounts

Nino Salvaggio is currently searching for a new Director of Culinary Development to oversee all culinary operations of all locations.  This position will require travel to all metro Detroit locations (Troy, Clinton Twp, St Clair Shores, Bloomfield and Livonia).
Responsibilities:
  • Oversees all culinary recipe development and implementation in stores, producing build guides or step by step instructions for each store.
  • Maintains proper recipes in recipe computer system ensuring that changes in batch sizes are working properly.
  • Works with vendors to ensure we are receiving best negotiated pricing and quality products.
  • Ensures are products are made in accordance with all food safety laws and regulations.
  • Ensures that all transfers of products are being tracked and handled properly following company procedures.
  • Creates and maintains all main and side demo schedules ensuring that products are available at that time.
  • Determines and negotiates pricing for culinary items in company sales ad.
  • Contributes to party planning pricing and item selection ensuring that costs are in line with company guidelines.
  • Maintains Standard Operating Procedures Books for all culinary departments.
  • Maintains product packaging books ensure correct PLUs and containers are listed in each.
  • Assists in creating and maintaining cafe menus at each location.
  • Conducts store sanitation and quality walk throughs at each location.
  • Ensures product pricing in culinary departments are meeting the target gross profit.
  • Ensures inventory procedures are completed accurately and managers are ordering properly while following FIFO.
  • Ensures that culinary departments are following all shelf life procedures and scale labels are accurate with correct sell by dates and weight.
  • Monitors culinary managers to ensure that all policies and procedures are being followed.
  • Oversees all commissary operations ensuring that all recipes are being followed and standards are being kept.
  • Ensures that all culinary managers are maintaining Serv Safe certification and standards.
  • Assists in determining current menu selection in Gourmet to Go and monitors the display cases to ensure presentation is at company standards.
  • Ensures that all culinary departments are following the pull down process and no expired food is on display.
  • Ensures that coolers are properly rotated and dated and product placement is in accordance to food safety policies.
  • Assists in culinary social media content.
  • Evaluates equipment and renovation costs to keep kitchens up to date and in compliance.
  • Works with co-packers to ensure all culinary recipes are being followed to company specifications.
  • Handles customer service correspondences and issues as needed.
  • Evaluates movement reports for all culinary departments, communicating ideas to improve sales.
  • Ensures all culinary programs are kept up to date with all regulations and laws.
  • Plan, organize, direct and control all research and development activities and special projects with the assistance of General Managers, Department Managers and other supervisory personnel.
Qualifications:
  • Must have culinary degree.
  • Must have multi-unit culinary experience.
  • Must have 10+ years experience in culinary.
  • Must have previous kitchen renovation experience.
  • Retail culinary experience preferred.
  • Must have great computer skills.
  • Must be organized and a multi-tasker.
  • Must be able to lift 50+ pounds.
  • Mut be able to stand for 8 or more hours at a time.
Compensation based on experience.
If interested please complete the two part application process of submitting your resume and then completing the formal application.
EOE

What Nino Salvaggio employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom