ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

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 ...

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, 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Lab37

Research & Development Chef

Los Angeles, CA

Lab37 Robotics, is a technology company focused on the development and deployment of robots designed specifically for direct-to-customer food production. Our mission is to revolutionize the food ...

Lab37

Research & Development Chef

Los Angeles, CA

$75K - $110K/yr

Lab37 Robotics, is a technology company focused on the development and deployment of robots designed specifically for direct-to-customer food production. Our mission is to revolutionize the food ...

Troon

Chef de Cuisine

Schofield, WI

$66K - $90K/yr

We offer exceptional pay, a beautiful work environment, and numerous opportunities for growth and development. Chef de Cuisine Responsibilities: * Ensuring that all food meets the highest quality ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsDevelopment Chef Jobs

Development Chef information

See salary details

$33K

$77.4K

$133K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 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 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.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Development Chef, and why are they important?

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.

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.
More about Development Chef jobs
What cities are hiring for Development Chef jobs? Cities with the most Development Chef job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Development Chef jobs? The most popular types of Development Chef jobs are:
What states have the most Development Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Development Chef jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Development Chef jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Development Chef jobs are:
Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,438 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Research and Development Chef

Vespertine

Culver City, CA • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The R&D Chef is a collaborative culinary leadership role working closely with Chef/Owner Jordan Kahn and the Director of Culinary to develop, refine, and bring ideas to fruition across Destroyer, Meteora, and Vespertine. This position supports the creative process through thoughtful execution, translating concepts into fully realized dishes, systems, and experiences.

The R&D Chef shepherds ideas through all phases of development, including sourcing and ordering, testing and iteration, organization and timeline management, documentation, and hands-on support through training and implementation. The role requires sensitivity to creative intent, strong technical skill, and disciplined follow-through to ensure ideas are expressed clearly, consistently, and sustainably within each restaurant.

Apply