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Development Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

My Father's Barbeque

Kitchen Chef

Carson, CA

$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 ยท 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 ...

Alliance Redwoods

Chef

Occidental, CA ยท 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 ...

Carne

Sous Chef

Oxnard, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Sous Chef Oxnard, CA We are seeking an experienced, organized, and passionate Sous Chef to join our ... Support menu development, testing, and implementation * Conduct line checks and quality control ...

Shashi Group LLC

Sous Chef

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Sous Chef - Fine Dining & Hospitality Leadership Location: Broma | Shashi Hotel Mountain View ... Support menu planning, seasonal menu development, culinary innovation, recipe creation, specials ...

the girl & the fig

Sous Chef

Sonoma, CA

$70K - $85K/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 ...

Eureka Restaurant Group

Sous Chef

San Diego, CA ยท 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 ...

Shashi Group LLC

Sous Chef

Mountain View, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Sous Chef - Fine Dining & Hospitality Leadership Location: Broma | Shashi Hotel Mountain View ... Support menu planning, seasonal menu development, culinary innovation, recipe creation, specials ...

Picco

Sous Chef

Larkspur, CA

$56K - $76K/yr

Collaborate on menu development and seasonal specials What We're Looking For * 1-2 years Sous Chef experience (or strong lead line cook ready to step up) * Strong leadership and communication skills

IPOT

Restaurant - Chef

San Francisco, CA ยท 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 ...

Yardbird Los Angeles

Executive Chef

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $106K/yr

The Executive Chef is responsible for managing the daily culinary operations of our restaurant, including the selection, development, and performance management of employees. This person will have ...

Yardbird

Executive Chef

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $106K/yr

The Executive Chef is responsible for managing the daily culinary operations of our restaurant, including the selection, development, and performance management of employees. This person will have ...

Sous | San Francisco

Personal Chef

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$35 - $45/hr

Chefs set their own prices and hours, and serve their own menus. Typical hourly rates for new chefs ... Excel at menu development . You'll create custom menus for your clients each week, as well as ...

Goodwin Recruiting

Executive Chef

Sunnyvale, CA

$120K/yr

Executive Chef Benefits & Compensation * Base salary starting at $120,000+ (commensurate with ... Experience in menu development and creative design * Tech-savvy with an ability to leverage tools ...

The Bungalow Kitchen

Sous Chef

Belvedere Tiburon, CA

$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 ยท On-site

$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 ...

Private Listing

Chef

Culver City, CA

$75K - $85K/yr

Who We Are Looking For This is a true working chef's job. We need a leader who loves the energy of ... crew development and positive morale. ยท An easygoing but professional communication style to ...

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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 Jun 10, 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

Kitchen Chef

My Father's Barbeque

Carson, CA

$24/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Please do your research on the My Father's Barbeque and Chef Shalamar before applying. This is a job with a purpose: to serve great food, give great service and service our community.
Kitchen Chef - My Father's Barbeque (Carson, CA)

Kitchen Chef - My Father's Barbeque (Carson, CA)

Bring Your Flavor. Perfect Your Craft.

At My Father's Barbeque Smokehouse, we live where Southern tradition meets California soul. Our kitchen runs on real smoke, bold flavor, and teamwork. We're looking for a Kitchen Chef - a skilled, passionate cook ready to bring creativity to the line and consistency to every plate.

This role is for the chef who wants to cook, not manage - someone who can take direction from the Head Chef, execute with precision, and still add their own creative spark to the menu.

What You'll Do:

Cook and plate dishes that meet the high standards of our smokehouse

Master the craft of BBQ: brisket, ribs, smoked chicken, and scratch-made sides

Work closely with the Head Chef to bring recipes and specials to life

Keep your station organized, clean, and running tight during peak hours

Maintain food quality, temperature, and presentation consistency

Support a strong team culture - focused, fast, and flavor-driven

Who You Are:

2-4 years of real kitchen experience (BBQ, grill, or soul food a plus)

Serious about your craft - you can really cook, not just "get by"

Creative but disciplined - understands the art and the process

Thrives in a fast-paced, family-style kitchen

Follows direction well but has ideas worth sharing

Reliable, clean, and takes pride in your work every shift

What You'll Get:

$22-$25/hr based on skill + tip share

Growth path to 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

Location: 637 University Dr, Carson, CA 90746

If you've got the skills, the energy, and the pride to make great food every day, join us. Bring your knives, your creativity, and your fire - and let's build something worth tasting.

My Father's Barbeque is Los Angeles hottest new Southern BBQ eatery. Located in the center of Carson Ca. Newly expanded and remodeled. We specialize in great food and hospitality.

Education:no requirementsEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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