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Culinary Research Development Jobs in Washington

Call Your Mother Deli

Head of Culinary

Washington, DC · On-site

$170K/yr

HEAD OF CULINARY Washington, DC THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. THE BEST-ISH BAGELS IN THE WORLD ... You'll lead our Research & Development and Quality Assurance teams while partnering cross ...

Sodexo

Culinary Director

Washington, DC · On-site

C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research ... Lead menu planning, development, and implementation for retail dining, catering, executive dining ...

Sodexo

Culinary Director

Washington, DC

C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research ... Lead menu planning, development, and implementation for retail dining, catering, executive dining ...

Sodexo

Culinary Director

Washington, DC · On-site

$104K - $135K/yr

C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research ... Lead menu planning, development, and implementation for retail dining, catering, executive dining ...

Sodexo

Culinary Director

Washington, DC · On-site

C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research ... Lead menu planning, development, and implementation for retail dining, catering, executive dining ...

Sodexo

Culinary Director

Washington, DC

C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation and research ... Lead menu planning, development, and implementation for retail dining, catering, executive dining ...

Sixty Vines

Executive Chef

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

... and research in food techniques to remain sharp and proactive, ahead of the curve. • Develop the foundation of the Sixty Vines culinary future through training and development of the next ...

Havn Club

Executive Chef

Washington, DC

$30 - $45/hr

Own weekend culinary operations: Lead a small team (prep cooks/runners) to execute the full cook-pack workflow on time and to spec. * Menu & R&D: Design weekly, high-protein menus; iterate on ...

Domestic | Match

Private Chef

Washington, DC

The culinary style leans Italian, Mediterranean, and Californian, with a confident hand in protein ... Participate in menu development in collaboration with the Lead Chef; contribute new ideas ...

Domestic | Match

Private Chef

Washington, DC

The culinary style leans Italian, Mediterranean, and Californian, with a confident hand in protein ... Participate in menu development in collaboration with the Lead Chef; contribute new ideas ...

Della J's

Line Cook

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

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

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Culinary Research Development information

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 Are Culinary Research and 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?

To excel in Culinary Research Development, a strong background in culinary arts, food science, and recipe formulation—often supported by a relevant degree or certification—is essential. Familiarity with food safety regulations, sensory evaluation tools, and product development software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These skills are crucial for innovating new food products that are both safe and appealing, while meeting industry standards and consumer needs.

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.

What is Culinary Research and Development?

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.
More about Culinary Research Development jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Research Development jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Culinary Research Development jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Research Development jobs in Washington? For Culinary Research Development jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Research Development jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Research Development jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Culinary Research Development jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Culinary Research Development job openings:
Culinary Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Research Development job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Head of Culinary

Call Your Mother Deli

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

HEAD OF CULINARY
Washington, DC
THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
THE BEST-ISH BAGELS IN THE WORLD.
OUTTA THIS WORLD OPPORTUNITY.
DEEPER THAN BAGELS
Call Your Mother is the Jew-ish deli where Boca meets Brooklyn, grandma-level hospitality meets seriously good bagel sandwiches, and hard work meets face-melting vibes.
Husband-and-wife team Andrew and Chef Dani built Call Your Mother around a simple idea: make scrumptious, nostalgic food and unforgettable experiences without being bougie or taking ourselves too seriously. From our first little farmer's market stand in 2018, to shops across the DMV, Colorado, Chicago, and Philadelphia in 2026, we're spreading carb love all over the map and our ovens are just getting warmed up! We'll take bagels to mars if the locals are hungry up there.
WE'RE HIRING OUR FIRST HEAD OF CULINARY, BASED IN THE DMV
This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to help shape the future of Call Your Mother. As our first-ever Head of Culinary, you'll partner directly with our Co-Founders and Chief Culinary Officer to shape the next chapter of our menu, culinary strategy, and food innovation. You'll lead our Research & Development and Quality Assurance teams while partnering cross-functionally with Operations, Supply Chain, Training, Marketing, and Finance to bring great ideas to life.
We're looking for someone who's equal parts chef, coach, builder, and problem solver. You'll dream up the next guest obsession, then build the systems, standards, and team that make it consistently exceptional across every shop and commissary. From seasonal sandwiches and schmears, to entirely new carb adventures, you'll help create food people obsess over while protecting the quality, hospitality, and nostalgia our guests know and love.
If you're picking up what we're laying down, keep reading!
YOU'LL CRUSH THIS ROLE IF YOU...
  • Have 7+ years of culinary leadership experience across a multi-unit restaurant organization, with a deep understanding of what it takes to execute food consistently at scale.
  • Have completed professional culinary training or built equivalent expertise through hands-on experience.
  • Have successfully led menu innovation, product launches, recipe implementation, commercialization, and operational training across multiple locations.
  • Have developed high-performing culinary teams through coaching, trust, and accountability.
  • Are highly organized and can confidently juggle multiple priorities, projects, and timelines without losing sight of the details.
  • Know food safety, quality assurance, kitchen systems, and production management like the back of your hand.
  • Believe great food is equal parts creativity and relentless execution and get just as excited about improving a beloved classic as you do creating the next guest obsession.
  • Sweat the details because you know guests can taste the difference.
  • Lead with humility, curiosity, high standards, and a roll-up-your-sleeves mentality.
  • Can move comfortably between the test kitchen, supplier meetings, executive conversations, commissaries, and shop operations.
  • Are digging our big BIG V.I.B.E.S. (Vibrancy, Integrity, Belonging, Energy, and Seize the Moment).

Shall we proceed? If you blurted out an audible "YES INDEED!" then please keep reading.
WHAT YOU'LL REALLY BE DOING
  • Partner side-by-side with our Co-Founder & Chief Culinary Officer to bring our culinary vision to life and help shape what's next for Call Your Mother.
  • Lead our Research & Development and Quality Assurance teams, building a high-performing culinary organization rooted in creativity, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Establish and uphold culinary standards that protect the integrity of our food as we continue to grow, while identifying opportunities to improve consistency, quality, speed, and profitability.
  • Own the end-to-end product development process: from first idea and kitchen experimentation through testing, operational validation, commercialization, launch, and post-launch optimization.
  • Develop new menu items, seasonal offerings, beverages, and products that surprise and delight guests while staying true to the Call Your Mother brand.
  • Protect and continuously improve our core menu, ensuring our guest favorites remain consistently delicious as we grow.
  • Build scalable recipes, systems, and standards that deliver chef-quality food across every shop and commissary.
  • Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Training, Marketing, Finance, and Development to ensure every new product is operationally executable, financially sound, and ready for successful rollout.
  • Establish and evolve quality assurance standards, auditing programs, and food specifications that protect consistency across all products and locations.
  • Collaborate with supplier partners to source, develop, and commercialize ingredients that meet our quality standards while supporting long-term growth.
  • Stay relentlessly curious about food, ingredients, techniques, equipment, and consumer insights, not to chase trends, but to thoughtfully evolve the menu in ways that feel authentically Call Your Mother.
  • Roll up your sleeves. Some days you'll be in the kitchen, some days in a shop, some days at a commissary, and some days in a conference room. We believe the best culinary leaders stay close to the food and the people making it.
AND FINALLY, IF YOU NEED MORE REASONS TO APPLY:
  • Competitive salary $170,000, plus annual bonus opportunity and stock options.
  • Make an impact. You'll work directly with our Chief Culinary Officer to influence standards, recipes, and how every shop executes.
  • Health Insurance. Health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Unlimited paid time off because you deserve it...duh.
  • 100% Paid, 12 week parental leave for time with the itty, bitty baby!
  • 401(k) with 4% company match. Plan for a bright and beautiful future!
  • Step your knowledge game up. Free English and Spanish classes, plus Duolingo reimbursement.
  • Real support when life gets complicated. Confidential therapy and professional resources for mental health, legal guidance, financial wellness, and more.
  • BAGELS ON THE HOUSE! Plus 50% off when you're off the clock.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands for this position include seeing, hearing, speaking, reading, and communicating effectively; standing, walking, reaching, bending, and performing repetitive physical movements; lifting up to 50 pounds; and safely operating equipment and tools using manual dexterity. This role also requires working in a fast-paced environment around hot equipment, sharp tools, and varying temperatures, and occasionally working in confined spaces. These physical requirements may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation. .
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Call Your Mother is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically celebrate the diversity of our team and believe that talent, passion, and experience are the only relevant criteria for considering new team members. We provide equal opportunities to everyone who works for us and every applicant. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
CALL YOUR MOTHER PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY.

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