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Development Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Research and Development Chef

Waipahu, HI Β· On-site

$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 ...

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA Β· 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 ...

Business Development Chef

San Carlos, CA Β· 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 ...

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 ...

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA Β· 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 ...

Senior R&D Chef (all genders) We are seeking a Senior R&D Chef to join the culinary team of our newest brand, Factor: a healthy, ready-to-heat meal delivery service. At Factor, our goal is to ...

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 ...

Consultant Development Chef (TEMP)

Manhattan, NY Β· On-site

$78K - $108K/yr

Menu Development: Roll out standardized menus for each business model inclusive of guides and best ... Familiarity of all BOH positions with extensive experience as an executive or corporate chef.

Qualifications and Education Requirements β€’ Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts with concentration in food science / R&D preferred β€’ 1 to 3 years R&D Chef Experience β€’ Must be Proficient in MS ...

Qualifications and Education Requirements Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts with concentration in food science / R&D preferred 1 to 3 years R&D Chef Experience Must be Proficient in MS Office Suite ...

Qualifications and Education Requirements Β· Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts with concentration in food science / R&D preferred Β· 1 to 3 years R&D Chef Experience Β· Must be Proficient in MS ...

Chef de Cuisine

Schofield, WI Β· On-site

$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 ...

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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 Sep 12, 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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Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,438 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Research & Development Chef

New York, NY β€’ On-site

$78K - $107K/yr

Full-time

This job post hasΒ expired 2 days ago.Β Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

We are seeking a highly organized, creative, and detail-oriented Culinary Coordinator & Test Kitchen Manager to support Chef Daniel and the Corporate Culinary Team. This multifaceted role combines food styling, recipe development, culinary operations, event coordination, and administrative support while ensuring the smooth operation of the test kitchen and assisting with restaurant openings and brand expansion initiatives.

Someone that is passionate about food, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is equally comfortable cooking in the kitchen, organizing large-scale culinary projects, and supporting media appearances and special events.

Key Responsibilities

Food Styling & Recipe Testing

  • Research, develop, test, and refine recipes for Corporate Chefs and Chef Daniel.
  • Prepare, cook, and style food for editorial photo shoots, cookbooks, magazines, newspapers, digital media, and special events.
  • Scale and convert metric recipes into smaller imperial portions for publication while maintaining consistency and accuracy, including pastry recipes.
  • Test and standardize recipes to ensure quality across all culinary concepts and publications.

Test Kitchen Management

  • Oversee the daily operation and organization of the test kitchen.
  • Maintain cleanliness, inventory, equipment, culinary tools, and cookbook library.
  • Schedule kitchen usage for corporate chefs and culinary teams.
  • Test and standardize recipes for company brands, (eg Cuisine Boulud and Γ‰picerie Boulud) supporting brand expansion and consistency.

Corporate Culinary Support

  • Coordinate logistics and production schedules for television appearances, podcasts, demonstrations, and media events.
  • Assist Corporate Chefs with menu planning, recipe development, and concept creation for both existing and new restaurants.
  • Prepare meeting notes and project updates for the Corporate Culinary Team.
  • Support administrative functions including recipe costing, menu editing, ordering, production schedules, and mise en place (MEP) documentation.

 

 

Culinary Events & Special Projects

Working alongside the Culinary Manager to coordinate:

  • Food preparation and production
  • Equipment and rental needs
  • Recipe costing and budgeting
  • Event dΓ©cor and presentation
  • Tasting stations and culinary demonstrations
  • Press and promotional events
  • Expense reporting for non-catering culinary functions
  • Travel with Corporate Chefs if needed to execute off-site events and special culinary experiences.
  • Provide operational support for visiting chefs, including ordering, equipment coordination, and kitchen preparation.

 

Restaurant Openings

  • Research products, ingredients, and culinary concepts for new restaurant projects.
  • Develop menu descriptions and coordinate food photography.
  • Record, organize, and maintain recipes using SharePoint and standardized documentation systems.
  • Assist with restaurant openings, kitchen organization, staff training, and service support across New York locations.
  • Assist the culinary manager with proofreading menus and internal culinary materials to ensure consistency with company standards.

 

Qualifications

  • A minimum experience of 5 years in a professional savory or pastry kitchen in the restaurant industry with understanding of different styles of cuisine.
  • Strong recipe development, testing, and food styling skills.
  • Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
  • Experience with menu development, recipe costing, and culinary documentation.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, and SharePoint and similar document management systems.
  • Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
  • Flexibility to travel and work evenings or weekends for special events as needed.
  • Passion for culinary excellence, innovation, and hospitality.

 
The Dinex Group LLC is an equal opportunity employer. The Dinex Group LLC does not discriminate in employment with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service or any other characteristic protected by law.