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Development Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Chart House

Chef

Monterey, CA

$75K - $85K/yr

Continued career development and growth opportunities * Generous employee discounts on dining ... Chef in the management of all back of house staff in an upscale / fine dining kitchen, including ...

Chart House

Chef

Monterey, CA · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

Continued career development and growth opportunities * Generous employee discounts on dining ... Chef in the management of all back of house staff in an upscale / fine dining kitchen, including ...

Beer Baron Whiskey Bar & Kitchen

Head Chef

Livermore, CA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Maintain cleanliness and food safety standards * Assist with menu development and inventory management Requirements: * Previous experience as a Head Chef or Kitchen Manager preferred * Strong ...

Morton's The Steakhouse

Chef

Sacramento, CA

$75K - $85K/yr

Continued career development and growth opportunities * Generous employee discounts on dining ... Chef in the management of all back of house staff in an upscale / fine dining kitchen, including ...

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 ...

Charlie's

Sous Chef

Saint Helena, CA

$85K - $100K/yr

The Sous Chef will support daily service as well as oversee ordering, inventory, prep, and menu development, along with the Chef and other Sous Chefs. We are looking first and foremost for candidates ...

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 ...

little Trouble

Chef

Laguna Beach, CA

We are seeking a Chef / Kitchen Manager to take full ownership of our kitchen operations. The ideal ... Contribute creative input to the menu, including development of new dishes and refinement of ...

Verjus

Executive Chef

San Francisco, CA

$125K - $150K/yr

The Role The Executive Chef is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of the Verjus kitchen, including menu development, culinary execution, team development, food cost, purchasing ...

Brigaid

Santa Maria Brigaid Chef

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

Santa Maria Program Chef Location: Santa Maria, CA Compensation: $70,400 plus full benefits ... Providing ongoing training and professional development for foodservice teams in culinary ...

Brigaid

Santa Maria Brigaid Chef

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

Santa Maria Program Chef Location: Santa Maria, CA Compensation: $70,400 plus full benefits ... Providing ongoing training and professional development for foodservice teams in culinary ...

Mountain View Country Club

Executive Chef

La Quinta, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

... development, food preparation, and presentation - Oversee hiring, training, scheduling, and ... Chefs, Cooks, Dishwasher. - Oversee member events, ensuring seamless execution and exceptional ...

Koch Industries

Business Development Manager

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$135K - $165K/yr

Your Job The Business Development Manager will lead growth efforts for Molex's PCS business across ... At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ...

Bubba Gump

Chef

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$72K - $82K/yr

Continued career development and growth opportunities * Generous employee discounts on dining ... Chef in the management of all back of house staff in a high-volume kitchen, including ongoing ...

RMG Management Inc

Chef

Woodland Hills, CA · On-site

$27 - $33/hr

... stable, part-time work with opportunities for skill development. Essential Duties ... Prior chef experience; * Ability to perform repetitive tasks throughout the workday and to move ...

New

little Trouble

Chef

Laguna Beach, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

We are seeking a Chef / Kitchen Manager to take full ownership of our kitchen operations. The ideal ... Contribute creative input to the menu, including development of new dishes and refinement of ...

Golf Club Los Angeles

Be Seen First

Sous Chef

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA · On-site

$26 - $28/hr

The Sous Chef's responsibilities are to, prepare, produce, present and to oversee all food product ... Responsible for assistance in development of fresh and new menu items, and development of daily ...

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Showing results 41-60

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 Aug 22, 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 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.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,424 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Chef or Chef Assistant

Levant Mediterranean Restaurant - Turkish Cuisine

Hollywood, CA • On-site

$700 - $1.5K/wk

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Mediterranean Chef (Turkish / Persian Cuisine Preferred)

Location: 5527 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Mediterranean Chef and Chef Assistant with strong knowledge of Arabic, Turkish and/or Persian cuisine. The ideal candidate will be skilled in preparing authentic dishes such as Master Grill, kabobs, rice dishes, and traditional appetizers, while maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation, and kitchen operations.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Prepare and cook a variety of Mediterranean dishes, including kabobs, rice, and appetizers
  • Ensure consistent food quality, taste, and presentation (plating and decoration)
  • Follow proper food handling, sanitation, and safety regulations
  • Maintain a clean and organized kitchen environment
  • Manage food preparation and daily kitchen operations
  • Monitor and maintain inventory levels
  • Assist with ordering supplies and ingredients
  • Minimize food waste and control kitchen costs
  • Work collaboratively with kitchen staff and management

Qualifications & Requirements:

  • Proven experience as a Mediterranean Chef or similar role
  • Strong knowledge of Turkish and/or Persian cuisine (preferred)
  • Experience preparing kabobs, rice dishes, and traditional appetizers
  • Valid Food Handler Certificate (required)
  • Knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong attention to detail in plating and food presentation
  • Good communication and teamwork skills
  • Ability to manage time efficiently and multitask

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in a fine dining or high-volume restaurant
  • Creativity in menu development and plate presentation
  • Familiarity with Mediterranean spices, marinades, and cooking techniques

Compensation:

  • Competitive pay based on experience

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and a brief summary of your experience with Mediterranean cuisine to LEVANTMRC@GMAIL.COM OR call 310-985-9262 ask for Ivan