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Development Chef Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Maple

Maple & Ash Chicago - Chef De Cuisine

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Who You Are The R&D Chef is the culinary architect for the brand, bridging the gap between Michelin-caliber artistry and multi-unit scalability. This role demands a rare hybrid of elite creativity ...

Boar's Head Brand

Culinary Development Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$147K/yr

Additionally, the Culinary Development Chef will be responsible for developing and implementing new food products and foodservice concepts in both manufacturing and retail environments, enabling the ...

UNION LEAGUE CLUB OF CHICAGO

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$65K/yr

Sous Chef Reports to: Executive Chef and Executive Sous Chef Job Summary: Serve as "third-in ... Assists in the development of training and the provision of professional development opportunities ...

Market and Main Local Eatery

Sous Chef

Troy, IL · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

The Sous Chef is the second-in-command in the kitchen, working closely with the Executive Chef to ... Menu Development: Assist with creating new menu items, seasonal specials, and improving existing ...

COREcruitment Ltd

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$67K - $77K/yr

Maintain strict food safety, hygiene, and compliance standards * Assist with menu development and ... Chef or equivalent) * Michelin-starred or luxury fine dining background required (2-3 Michelin ...

Mercadito Lincoln Park

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Collaborate with ownership and operations on menu development, seasonal features, and special ... Qualifications * 5+ years of Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef experience in a high-volume ...

Heritage Golf Group

Sous Chef

Lake In The Hills, IL · On-site

$49K - $66K/yr

Sous Chef Boulder Ridge Country Club Boulder Ridge Country Club is a premier private club dedicated ... Support menu execution, recipe consistency, and seasonal menu development. * Help train new team ...

Compass Group

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Orientates new Chefs within their respective Core Culinary Standards, and established food programs.

Compass Group

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Orientates new Chefs within their respective Core Culinary Standards, and established food programs.

Compass Corporate

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Orientates new Chefs within their respective Core Culinary Standards, and established food programs.

Bar Parisette

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$55K - $65K/yr

The sous chef will assist the executive chef in menu planning, recipe development, and staff training. Other responsibilities include: * expediting when necessary * planning and executing wine ...

River Roast

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$68K - $72K/yr

Maintain consistency, quality, presentation, and attention to detail. Assist with menu development ... Salario: $68,000-$72,000 ¿Eres un chef apasionado que disfruta liderando con el ejemplo ...

Soho House Chicago

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$51K - $69K/yr

At Soho House a Sous Chef is motivated to positively influence the kitchen team to follow the ... Support "Cook House" education and training demos, trips and on the job staff development to ensure ...

Soho House Chicago

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$69K - $74K/yr

At Soho House a Sous Chef is motivated to positively influence the kitchen team to follow the ... Support "Cook House" education and training demos, trips and on the job staff development to ensure ...

Compass Group

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Orientates new Chefs within their respective Core Culinary Standards, and established food programs.

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All JobsDevelopment Chef JobsDevelopment Chef Jobs in Illinois

Development Chef information

See Illinois salary details

$32K

$75K

$128.9K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for development chef in Illinois is $75,040.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,700.00 and $87,700.00 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?

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 popular job titles related to Development Chef jobs in Illinois? For Development Chef jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Development Chef jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Development Chef jobs in Illinois are:
Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,040 per year, or $36.1 per hour.

Maple & Ash Chicago - Chef De Cuisine

Maple

Chicago, IL • On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Other

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Join Maple Hospitality Group, where culinary excellence meets unparalleled service. Led by renowned restaurateur Jim Lasky and two-Michelin-starred Chef Danny Grant, known for his innovative approach to fine dining, we're building a team of passionate food lovers dedicated to creating iconic destinations.
We believe success hinges on impeccable food, world-class service, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences. As we expand across Chicago, Scottsdale, Dallas, Santa Barbara, Miami, Boston and New York, you'll find endless opportunities for growth, travel, and continuing education.
Our culture is built on four core principles:
  • Generosity: Always give more, exceed expectations.
  • Excellence: Deliver exceptional work with unmatched expertise.
  • Fun: Love what you do, laugh often, and enjoy the journey.
  • Fail Fast: Learn from mistakes, adapt, and keep improving.

Who You Are
The R&D Chef is the culinary architect for the brand, bridging the gap between Michelin-caliber artistry and multi-unit scalability. This role demands a rare hybrid of elite creativity and industrial-grade operational discipline. You will transform abstract inspiration into scalable, profitable, and breathtaking culinary reality, ensuring the brand's North Star remains elite as it expands.
We are seeking a chef who views operations not as a constraint on creativity, but as the vehicle that allows world-class food to reach thousands of guests daily. You must possess the artistic ego to create something beautiful and the professional humility to ensure it can be executed perfectly by others.
Culinary Innovation and Michelin-Caliber Excellence
  • Creative R&D: Drive the evolution of the brand through constant experimentation, pushing the boundaries of technique and flavor to maintain a best-in-class reputation.
  • High-End Execution: Ensure every new dish meets the aesthetic and technical rigor of James Beard/Michelin-caliber dining.
  • Menu Engineering: Optimize menus for profitability and guest experience, ensuring innovation is balanced with strict $P&L$ and food cost targets.

Systems and Scalability
  • SOP Architecture: Translate complex, high-end dishes into precise, scalable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for multi-unit consistency.
  • Operational Flow: Identify bottlenecks in production and re-engineer workflows to improve speed without sacrificing artistry.
  • Strategic Sourcing: Vet elite suppliers to secure ingredients that meet the brand's uncompromising standards for quality, sustainability, and cost.

Leadership and Flagship Oversight
  • Flagship Stewardship: Maintain a strong, hands-on presence at Maple & Ash Chicago to ensure the core brand identity is consistently executed.
  • Global Implementation: Lead the rollout of new concepts across all markets, personally training kitchen leadership to ensure flawless execution.
  • Quality Audits: Conduct rigorous inspections across all locations to enforce food safety, sanitation, and brand integrity.

Collaboration and Performance
  • Direct Partnership: Work closely with Chef Danny Grant and the Culinary Director to align vision with execution.
  • Financial Performance: Drive improvements in food cost and labor efficiency, aligning culinary decisions with organizational financial goals.
  • Cross-Functional Communication: Partner with marketing on launches and maintain clear lines of communication with Executive Chefs across all locations.

Who We Are Looking For
The Pedigree
  • Elite Experience: 4+ years of senior culinary leadership. Prior experience in Michelin-starred or James Beard-awarded kitchens is essential.
  • Visionary Thinking: A deep passion for culinary trends, food science, and high-end plate composition.
  • Systems Mindset: The ability to move fluidly between the lab (creativity) and the office (data, costing, and logistics).

The Skills
  • Technical Mastery: Exceptional butchery, saucier, and modern technique skills.
  • Financial Acumen: Advanced knowledge of menu costing, inventory management, and labor optimization.
  • Leadership: Highly organized and disciplined, with the ability to thrive in a high-accountability environment.
  • Mobility: Willingness to travel as needed to support openings and ongoing operations.

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