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Culinary Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc.

Culinary Specialist

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$33K - $44K/yr

RaceTrac Company Overview The Culinary R&D Specialist is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and consistency of all information and assets related to food products that are taken through ideation ...

Lab37

Culinary R&D Training Manager

Los Angeles, CA

$114K - $134K/yr

Role Overview You make sure what gets built in the R&D kitchen actually works in the real one - at scale, under pressure, shift after shift. You sit at the intersection of culinary operations ...

Kinder's

Research & Development Manager

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

The Manager, Research & Development will be responsible for supporting the development and ... Partner closely with Operations, Marketing, Culinary, and Supply Chain to translate consumer ...

Lab37

Culinary R&D Training Manager

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$114K - $134K/yr

Role Overview You make sure what gets built in the R&D kitchen actually works in the real one - at scale, under pressure, shift after shift. You sit at the intersection of culinary operations ...

Kinder's

Research & Development Manager

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

The Manager, Research & Development will be responsible for supporting the development and ... Partner closely with Operations, Marketing, Culinary, and Supply Chain to translate consumer ...

Adecco

Food Research & Development Specialist

Lowell, MA · On-site

$25 - $32/hr

The Research & Development Specialist works with the R&D Director, culinary team, and production staff to place new products into production and update existing products in production. Responsible ...

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How much do culinary research development jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary research development in the United States is $26.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.
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Culinary Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Research Development job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $54,192 per year, or $26.1 per hour.
R&D Research and Innovations Chef - Foods

R&D Research and Innovations Chef - Foods

PepsiCo

Plano, TX • On-site

$89K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

PepsiCo rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 864 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

135th of 391 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Overview
PepsiCo Culinary R&D focuses on creating distinctive culinary solutions that enhance our core brands and expand to new occasions. Our vision is to support PepsiCo's food products, making them iconic and integrating them into global food culture with consumers at the heart of each design.
Responsibilities
This role involves leading technical and creative culinary product development by translating consumer needs into innovative product designs. You will support the expanding Away from Home (AFH) business and Meals category for billion-dollar brands like Lay's, Doritos, and Cheetos. Collaboration with the Global Culinary Team is essential to build best-in-class culinary capabilities.
  • Culinary Leadership: Provide support for Annual Operation Planning (AOP) and Strategic Development Direction (SDD) for PFNA AFH and Meals.
  • Consumer-Centric Solutions: Work with commercial partners and the R&D community to create executable culinary inspirations.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Product Development, Sales, and Marketing to understand customer needs, back-of-house operations, ingredient sourcing, supply chain, and other constraints.
  • Prototype Development: Generate creative product prototypes to illustrate technical possibilities and align stakeholders.
  • Consumer Insights: Utilize consumer research and testing insights to guide product development, partnering with Sensory & Consumer Experience teams.
  • Trend Application: Apply food trends and culture to develop meaningful product attributes that meet consumer needs.
  • Technical Assessment: Evaluate the preliminary technical feasibility of concepts with customers.
  • Product Design: Contribute to product design for commercialization, including flavor recommendations, competitive assessments, and product development consultation.
  • Global Applicability: Ensure concepts developed locally have global relevance.
  • External Interfaces: Build relationships with external culinary suppliers, seasoning houses, flavor experts, and universities.
  • Vendor Collaboration: Identify and collaborate with ingredient vendors while protecting PepsiCo's intellectual property.
  • Food Culture Program: Execute aspects of the food culture adoption program.
  • Culinary Capabilities: Develop and share best-in-class culinary methodologies, tools, and practices globally.
  • Ingredient Transformation: Drive innovation through creative culinary techniques and new product forms.
  • Culinary Exploration: Engage in culinary explorations, including cookbook libraries, cuisines, cooking methods, trends, menu analysis, and market immersions.

Recommended Behaviors
  • Passion for Culinary Innovation: Demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for creating new and exciting food products.
  • Attention to Detail: Show meticulousness in recipe formulation, ingredient sourcing, and product testing.
  • Collaborative Spirit: Exhibit strong teamwork skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Adaptability: Be flexible and open to feedback, making necessary adjustments to recipes and processes.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Address and resolve issues related to taste, quality, cost, and preparation time in recipe development.
  • Continuous Learning: Stay informed about emerging food trends, innovations, and consumer preferences through research and continuing education.
  • Strong Communication: Effectively present new products and concepts to stakeholders, and train staff on new recipes and techniques.
  • Creativity and Innovation: Bring fresh ideas and creative solutions to the table, pushing the boundaries of culinary possibilities.
  • Technical Expertise: Possess a deep understanding of food science, ingredient functionality, and food safety regulations.
  • Leadership: Lead projects with confidence, guiding the culinary product development process from concept to execution.

Compensation and Benefits:
  • The expected compensation range for this position is between $89,000 - $149,000.
  • Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
  • Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 15% of annual salary paid out annually.
  • Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
  • In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Qualifications
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or Food Science with applied culinary training required.
  • Skills: Understanding of trends, ingredients, culinary techniques, and integration into product development. Strong knowledge of food and nutrition science.
  • Experience: 3-5 years of experience preferred.
  • Attributes: Ability to incorporate business needs into culinary designs, manage multiple assignments, strong communication skills, and intellectual curiosity.
  • This role is designed to inspire and lead culinary innovation, ensuring the successful development of new food products.
  • Travel: 20-40%

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Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age
If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.
Please view our Pay Transparency Statement

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About PepsiCo

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PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Industry

Food and drink manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Purchase, NY, US

Year founded

1965

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