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Development Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

The Chef's Assistant will assist the R&D Chef and R&D Staff in the prepping and executing (cooking) of various tests and tastings, and will assist with all other food preparation in the R&D Kitchen ...

R&D Chef's Assistant

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$26 - $36/hr

The Chef's Assistant will assist the R&D Chef and R&D Staff in the prepping and executing (cooking) of various tests and tastings, and will assist with all other food preparation in the R&D Kitchen ...

R&D Chef's Assistant

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$26 - $36/hr

The Chef's Assistant will assist the R&D Chef and R&D Staff in the prepping and executing (cooking) of various tests and tastings, and will assist with all other food preparation in the R&D Kitchen ...

Chef

Sonoma, CA

$80K - $95K/yr

We are currently hiring experienced Chefs and Sous Chefs to join our opening team. Dead Letter will ... Contributing to staff training, coaching, and development * Supporting a positive, respectful, and ...

Sous Chef

Stockton, CA · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

Assists the Executive Chef with training and professional development opportunities for all kitchen staff. * Assists the Executive Chef Head Chef with evaluating products to assure that quality ...

Additional Responsibilities Chef Development & Training * Design, coordinate, and deliver culinary training programs for chefs at all levels - from line cooks and sous chefs to senior executive chefs.

Join us as a Sous Chef and become part of a vibrant atmosphere filled with dynamic experiences and endless possibilities. Start making your own luck today! WHAT OUR SOUS CHEFS DO Our Sous Chefs are ...

Additional Responsibilities Chef Development & Training * Design, coordinate, and deliver culinary training programs for chefs at all levels -- from line cooks and sous chefs to senior executive ...

Additional Responsibilities Chef Development & Training * Design, coordinate, and deliver culinary training programs for chefs at all levels - from line cooks and sous chefs to senior executive chefs.

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Showing results 1-20

Development Chef information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$76.4K

$131.3K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for development chef in California is $76,424.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,700.00 and $89,300.00 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Development Chef jobs in California? The most popular types of Development Chef jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Development Chef jobs in California? For Development Chef jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in California are hiring for Development Chef jobs? Cities in California with the most Development Chef job openings:

Research and Development Chef

Vespertine

Culver City, CA

$80K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


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.

More detail about Vespertine part of Sprout LA, please visit https://culinaryagents.com/entities/83505-Vespertine