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Development Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

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.

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

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.

Alliance Redwoods

Chef

Occidental, CA

$20 - $30/hr

Commis Chef Our camp and conference grounds is seeking a dependable, team-oriented Commis Chef to ... Opportunities for growth and culinary development * Meaningful work serving camps, retreats, and ...

Bon Appetit

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

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 ...

Goodwin Recruiting

Executive Chef

Los Angeles, CA

$125K/yr

Executive Chef Benefits & Compensation * Competitive base salary ($125,000) * Career growth ... Chance to drive culinary innovation, operational improvements, and team development * Dynamic ...

My Father's Barbeque

Kitchen Chef

Carson, CA · On-site

$24/hr

... Sous Chef or R&D roles as the brand expands Health benefits and 401(k) after probation period Real creative input in new dishes and menu features Team meals and a family-first, no-ego environment ...

Alliance Redwoods

Chef

Occidental, CA · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

Commis Chef Our camp and conference grounds is seeking a dependable, team-oriented Commis Chef to ... Opportunities for growth and culinary development * Meaningful work serving camps, retreats, and ...

Vinarosa Resort and Spa

Executive Chef

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

The Executive Chef is responsible for leading our culinary team to deliver an exceptional dining ... development, cost control, stewarding, and ensuring the highest standards of food quality and ...

memorial care

Chef

Laguna Hills, CA

$25.22/hr

Title: Chef Location: Laguna Hills Department: Kitchen Status: Full-Time Shift: Days Pay Range ... development, contribution, collaboration, and accountability. Whatever your role and whatever ...

IPOT

Restaurant - Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

As a Kitchen Chef at IPOT.FOOD, you will play a vital role in food preparation, kitchen leadership ... Contribute to menu innovation and development as needed * Monitor kitchen operations and assist ...

Eureka Restaurant Group

Sous Chef

San Diego, CA · On-site

$54K - $74K/yr

Sous Chef | San Diego Eureka! SDSU Lead with flavor. Build culture. Create something unforgettable ... development programs Full-time benefits: medical, dental & vision Employee Assistance Program THE ...

Levant Mediterranean Restaurant - Turkish Cuisine

Be Seen First

Chef or Chef Assistant

Hollywood, CA · On-site

$700 - $1.5K/wk

Mediterranean Chef (Turkish / Persian Cuisine Preferred) Location: 5527 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles ... Creativity in menu development and plate presentation * Familiarity with Mediterranean spices ...

memorial care

Chef

Laguna Hills, CA · On-site

$25.22/hr

Title: Chef Location: Laguna Hills Department: Kitchen Status: Full-Time Shift: Days Pay Range ... development, contribution, collaboration, and accountability. Whatever your role and whatever ...

Levant Mediterranean Restaurant - Turkish Cuisine

Be Seen First

Chef or Chef Assistant

Hollywood, CA · On-site

$700 - $1.5K/wk

Mediterranean Chef (Turkish / Persian Cuisine Preferred) Location: 5527 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles ... Creativity in menu development and plate presentation * Familiarity with Mediterranean spices ...

The Wild Thyme Company

SOUS CHEF

San Diego, CA · On-site

$70K - $73K/yr

Team Leadership & Development * Supervise Production Cooks, Prep Cooks, Event Chefs, and culinary support staff. * Assist with onboarding and training new culinary team members. * Mentor Event Chefs ...

The Bungalow Kitchen

Sous Chef

Belvedere Tiburon, CA · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Training & development Department : Back of House Reports To : Executive Sous Chef -> Executive Chef Location : Tiburon, California Pay : $80K - $85k per year Position Overview The Sous Chef is a key ...

King's Seafood Company

Executive Chef/Chef

Costa Mesa, CA

$75K - $104K/yr

Lead a team of culinary professionals focused on quality of product, consistency, and development ... Develop all Sous Chefs and kitchen crew for cross training and promotion through daily feedback and ...

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All JobsDevelopment Chef JobsDevelopment Chef Jobs in California

Development Chef information

See California salary details

$32.6K

$76.4K

$131.3K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 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 job categories do people searching Development Chef jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Development Chef jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Development Chef jobs? Cities in California with the most Development Chef job openings:
Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,424 per year, or $36.7 per hour.
Portfolio Project Chef

Portfolio Project Chef

Compass Group

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,073 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

312th of 449 rated business services

Job description

Position Title: Portfolio Project Chef 

Salary:  135,000-150,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary
The Portfolio Project Chef (also titled Supervising Chef) serves as the operational arm of the National Culinary Director, translating culinary vision and strategy into consistent, scalable execution across a portfolio of corporate dining accounts throughout North America. This role bridges high-level culinary leadership with field-level coaching, ensuring that programs, standards, and initiatives are brought to life at every account. The Portfolio Project Chef is an experienced, formally trained culinary professional who understands the nuances of corporate dining environments and thrives on developing culinary teams at all levels.
 
Key Responsibilities
Operational Execution & Account Support
  • Partner with the National Culinary Director to roll out culinary strategies, seasonal programs, and menu initiatives across all portfolio accounts.
  • Support account-level culinary teams remotely and through scheduled engagement, helping assess operations, ensure compliance with brand standards, and provide guidance - distinct from the field-based site evaluation function handled by the Portfolio Field Chef role.
  • Troubleshoot operational challenges at accounts and implement corrective actions in partnership with on-site culinary leadership.
  • Support the onboarding of new accounts, including setup of culinary systems, workflows, and team orientation.
  • Serve as an on-the-ground resource during high-profile events, client activations, or periods of leadership transition at accounts.
 
Culinary Standards & Quality Assurance
  • Ensure consistent adherence to recipe standards, food safety protocols, plating guidelines, and quality benchmarks across all accounts.
  • Conduct culinary audits and produce structured reports with actionable recommendations for improvement.
  • Collaborate with the National Culinary Director to develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), recipe libraries, and culinary playbooks.
  • Monitor food and labor cost performance at accounts and work with on-site teams to identify and address variances.
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.
  • Identify skill gaps across the portfolio and develop targeted development plans for individuals and teams.
  • Mentor and coach on-site culinary leaders, providing both formal evaluations and ongoing informal guidance.
  • Facilitate workshops, culinary demonstrations, and team-building events that elevate craft and reinforce company culture.
  • Support succession planning by identifying and nurturing high-potential culinary talent across the portfolio.
 
Collaboration & Communication
  • Act as a key liaison between the National Culinary Director and account-level culinary teams, ensuring clear communication of priorities and expectations.
  • Participate in menu development, product testing, and vendor evaluations as directed.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, procurement, and client services teams to support account goals.
  • Prepare and present program updates, training summaries, and account assessments to the National Culinary Director on a regular cadence.
Qualifications
Education & Culinary Credentials
  • Culinary degree or diploma from an accredited culinary institute required (e.g., CIA, Johnson & Wales, Le Cordon Bleu, or equivalent).
  • Certifications such as ACF Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or equivalent professional credential strongly preferred.
  • ServSafe Manager Certification (or equivalent food safety credential) required.
 
Experience
  • Minimum 8-12 years of progressive culinary leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior executive chef, regional chef, or multi-unit culinary management role.
  • Demonstrated experience managing culinary operations across multiple locations or a large-volume, complex single site (e.g., corporate campus, healthcare system, higher education).
  • Substantial background in corporate dining, business & industry (B&I) foodservice, or contract food management strongly preferred.
  • Proven experience designing and delivering training programs for culinary teams.
  • Track record of managing food cost, labor cost, and operational budgets with measurable results.
 
Skills & Competencies
  • Exceptional culinary knowledge across a broad range of cuisines, cooking techniques, and dietary considerations (allergens, plant-based, wellness).
  • Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities, accounts, and timelines simultaneously.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - equally effective coaching a line cook or presenting to a client.
  • Proficiency with culinary management tools, recipe management platforms, and standard MS Office / Google Workspace applications.
  • High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse teams across different organizational cultures.
  • Analytical mindset - comfortable interpreting financial reports and using data to drive culinary decisions.
 
This role is primarily based out of a central office or HQ location, with occasional travel to accounts as needed for training events, program launches, or strategic initiatives. Day-to-day work involves a combination of remote collaboration, program development, and structured engagement with account-level culinary teams. The role involves standing for extended periods during culinary sessions and working in commercial kitchen environments during training and demonstrations. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to support account needs or special events.

Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:  1547750

Bon Appetit 

BRYAN GONI 

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