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Development Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Stir Foods

Development Chef

Fullerton, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

Product Development Chef Employer Information Organization Name: Stir Foods LLC Website: www.stirfoods.com About Our Organization: We are the WOW flavor behind some of your favorite meal experiences.

KAGOME, Inc.

Business Development Chef

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$77K - $127K/yr

The Business Development Chef provides culinary leadership, engages Kagome's strategic customers in partnership with Kagome's Sales Teams, and provides product expertise in the development of world ...

Zippy's

Research and Development Chef

Waipahu, HI

$85K - $100K/yr

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 ...

Del Taco, LLC

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$89K - $110K/yr

JOB TITLE: R&D Chef FLSA STATUS: Exempt DEPARTMENT: Research and Development REPORTS TO: Director of Culinary Research & Development LOCATION: Lake Forest, CA Test Kitchen SALARY RANGE : $89,000 ...

Kagome Inc.

Business Development Chef

San Carlos, CA

The Business Development Chef provides culinary leadership, engages Kagome's strategic customers in partnership with Kagome's Sales Teams, and provides product expertise in the development of world ...

Del Taco

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$89K - $110K/yr

JOB TITLE: R&D Chef FLSA STATUS: Exempt DEPARTMENT: Research and Development REPORTS TO: Director of Culinary Research & Development LOCATION: Lake Forest, CA Test Kitchen SALARY RANGE : $89,000 ...

Blount Fine Foods

Product Development Chef

Fall River, MA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

The Product Development Chef will support the Product Development team, sales, marketing and all product development efforts through recipe development and presentations. Essential Duties and ...

Blount Fine Foods

Product Development Chef

Fall River, MA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

The Product Development Chef will support the Product Development team, sales, marketing and all product development efforts through recipe development and presentations. Essential Duties and ...

Blount Fine Foods

Product Development Chef

Fall River, MA · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

The Product Development Chef will support the Product Development team, sales, marketing and all product development efforts through recipe development and presentations. Essential Duties and ...

Crumbl

Research & Development Chef

Provo, UT

Under the direction of the Director of Research & Development the R&D Chef will execute daily tasks meant to elevate current recipes or bring new concepts to life as well as any projects needed to ...

Crumbl

Research & Development Chef

Provo, UT

Under the direction of the Director of Research & Development the R&D Chef will execute daily tasks meant to elevate current recipes or bring new concepts to life as well as any projects needed to ...

Crumbl

Research & Development Chef

Provo, UT · On-site

Under the direction of the Director of Research & Development the R&D Chef will execute daily tasks meant to elevate current recipes or bring new concepts to life as well as any projects needed to ...

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Development Chef information

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$33K

$77.4K

$133K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for development chef in the United States is $77,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $90,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a development chef?

A Development Chef is a culinary professional who specializes in creating and testing new recipes, food products, and menu items for restaurants, food manufacturers, or catering businesses. They blend creativity with technical expertise to innovate dishes that meet specific market trends, dietary requirements, and brand standards. Development Chefs often work closely with food technologists, marketing teams, and suppliers to ensure new products are both delicious and commercially viable. Their work may involve research, taste testing, and refining recipes to achieve the best possible result for consumers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a development chef?

To thrive as a Development Chef, you need strong culinary expertise, creativity in recipe development, and a solid understanding of food safety regulations, often supported by formal culinary training and relevant certifications. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food production management systems, and nutritional analysis software is typically expected. Strong project management, collaboration, and communication skills set outstanding Development Chefs apart. These abilities ensure innovative yet practical menu concepts that meet business goals and delight customers.

How does a development chef collaborate with other departments to create new menu items?

A Development Chef works closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, procurement, and operations, to develop innovative menu items that align with brand objectives and operational capabilities. This often involves conducting taste panels, sourcing new ingredients, and ensuring recipes are scalable for production. Regular communication and collaboration with these departments are essential to ensure that new dishes meet cost, quality, and consistency standards before being rolled out to restaurants or retail outlets.

What is the difference between Development Chef vs Sous Chef?

AspectDevelopment ChefSous Chef
CredentialsCulinary degree, culinary certificationsCulinary degree, culinary certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch and development kitchens, innovation labsRestaurant kitchens, food service establishments
Employer & IndustryFood companies, product development firmsHotels, restaurants, catering services
Primary FocusCreating new recipes, product developmentManaging kitchen operations, preparing dishes

The main difference between a Development Chef and a Sous Chef lies in their focus and work environment. Development Chefs primarily work in research and development settings, creating new recipes and food products, while Sous Chefs are hands-on kitchen leaders managing daily kitchen operations in restaurants or hotels. Both roles require culinary credentials, but their responsibilities and workplaces differ significantly.

What do development chefs do?

Development chefs create and test new recipes, menu items, and food products for restaurants, food companies, or manufacturers. They often work in test kitchens, collaborate with culinary teams, and use their knowledge of ingredients, food trends, and food safety standards to innovate and improve offerings.

What is a typical day for a development chef?

A development chef's day involves creating and testing new recipes, developing product concepts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams such as marketing and production. They often work in a kitchen or laboratory environment, utilizing culinary skills, food science knowledge, and sometimes specialized tools or software to refine products and ensure quality standards.
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Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,438 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Research and Development Chef (Contract)

Intellectual Ventures

Bellevue, WA • On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Research and Development Chef (Contract)

The Cooking Lab is seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented contract Research and Development Chef. Our ideal candidate has deep expertise in pastry arts to support our pastry project. This contract position will work 40 hours per week onsite with our team of Research and Development chefs to test pastry recipes in collaboration with the Food Science team. Our research and development chefs play a key role in our pastry research through technical skill and precision, high quality data production, and thorough record keeping.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Pastry Testing and Evaluation
    • Meticulously follow experimental protocols developed by the Pastry Manager and Food Science team.
    • Prepare baked good samples for data in an efficient and highly organized manner.
    • Thoroughly document, accurately label, and effectively communicate all recipe iterations, testing outcomes, and process adjustments.
    • Apply critical thinking and problem-solving approaches during the experimental process.
  • Technical Execution
    • Apply advanced baking and pastry techniques to achieve the most consistent results possible. Experience working with pate a choux also desired.
    • Maintain high standards of quality, consistency, and data production.
  • Additional Duties
    • Collaborate with the culinary team to maintain kitchen organization and cleanliness on a daily basis.
    • Work effectively with cross-functional teams including Editorial, Marketing and Photography.

Qualifications:

  • Degree or certification in Pastry or Culinary Arts.
  • Minimum 5 years of professional pastry experience.
  • At least 2 years in a product development or R&D role preferred.
  • Strong organizational and documentation skills.

Preferred Skills:

  • Strong foundation in food science principles, especially related to ingredient functionality.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, experimental kitchen environment.
  • Experience executing recipes to an exceptionally high standard to meet photographic needs.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word for documentation and planning.

Why Join The Cooking Lab?

  • Be part of a world-class culinary team pushing the boundaries of pastry innovation.
  • Work in a collaborative, creative environment with access to cutting-edge tools and techniques.
  • Contribute to a high-profile pastry project with opportunities for growth and impact.
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