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Development Chef Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Abby's Catering

Executive Chef

Houston, TX · On-site

$61K - $84K/yr

Talent Development: Mentor and mold Sous Chefs into fully capable, autonomous leaders. Identify talent gaps and actively train cooks and helpers. * Recruitment & Hiring: Drive the culinary selection ...

NextGen Hospitality Solutions

Sous Chef

Houston, TX · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

... development within the hospitality industry. Responsibilities * Assist the Head Chef in food ... preparation and cooking * Supervise kitchen staff and ensure smooth operation of the kitchen

Abby's Catering

Executive Chef

Houston, TX

$95K - $115K/yr

Talent Development: Mentor and mold Sous Chefs into fully capable, autonomous leaders. Identify talent gaps and actively train cooks and helpers. * Recruitment & Hiring: Drive the culinary selection ...

New

Career Opportunities

Executive Chef

Houston, TX · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Talent Development: Mentor and mold Sous Chefs into fully capable, autonomous leaders. Identify talent gaps and actively train cooks and helpers. * Recruitment & Hiring: Drive the culinary selection ...

New

Latuli Foods LLC

Sous Chef

Houston, TX · On-site

$60K - $68K/yr

Training & development * Vision insurance About the Role: Latuli is looking for a talented and passionate Sous Chef to join our culinary team in Houston, TX! This is your opportunity to bring ...

Hotel Lucine

Executive Chef

Galveston, TX · On-site

$67K - $92K/yr

We are seeking a chef operator who thrives equally in creative development and operational leadership, capable of building strong kitchen culture while executing high volume service across diverse ...

Tei-An

Sous Chef

Dallas, TX · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

About the Opportunity As a Sous Chef at Tei-An, you'll serve as a key culinary leader responsible ... This role will also have the opportunity to contribute to menu development, seasonal offerings, and ...

New

Tei-An

Sous Chef

Dallas, TX

$49K - $66K/yr

About the Opportunity As a Sous Chef at Tei-An, you'll serve as a key culinary leader responsible ... This role will also have the opportunity to contribute to menu development, seasonal offerings, and ...

New

Lark Hospitality

Executive Chef

Galveston, TX · On-site

$90K/yr

We are seeking a chef operator who thrives equally in creative development and operational leadership, capable of building strong kitchen culture while executing high volume service across diverse ...

PF Changs

Executive Chef

El Paso, TX · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... Job Summary: The Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager is responsible for managing the restaurant ...

P.F. Chang's

Executive Chef

Keller, TX · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... Job Summary: The Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager is responsible for managing the restaurant ...

PF Changs

Executive Chef

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... Job Summary: The Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager is responsible for managing the restaurant ...

PF Changs

Executive Chef

Keller, TX · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... Job Summary: The Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager is responsible for managing the restaurant ...

PF Changs

Executive Chef

El Paso, TX · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... Job Summary: The Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager is responsible for managing the restaurant ...

P.F. Chang's

Executive Chef

El Paso, TX · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... Job Summary: The Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager is responsible for managing the restaurant ...

Hyatt Regency Frisco - Dallas

Sous Chef

Frisco, TX · On-site

$46K - $63K/yr

The Sous Chef plays a key leadership role within the culinary team, partnering closely with the ... development. Responsibilities * Support senior leadership by developing and assuming core ...

American Food & Vending

Sous Chef

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$45K - $61K/yr

San Antonio, Texas Summary A Sous Chef at American Dining Creations will support the Chef ... Prior experience with planning and managing employee schedules, hiring, and staff development.

Hawkers Asian Street Food

Executive Chef

Dallas, TX

$70K - $97K/yr

Team Leadership & Development Directly manage, mentor, and develop Sous Chefs and all BOH hourly team members to meet or exceed established performance standards. Execute the Hawkers training guide ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsDevelopment Chef JobsDevelopment Chef Jobs in Texas

Development Chef information

See Texas salary details

$30.7K

$72.1K

$123.9K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for development chef in Texas is $72,146.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $84,300.00 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 popular job titles related to Development Chef jobs in Texas?

For Development Chef jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Development Chef jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Development Chef jobs in Texas are:

Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,146 per year, or $34.7 per hour.

Executive Chef

Houston, TX • On-site

Abby's Catering
Traveler Accommodation • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Abby's Cateringexternal

$61K - $84K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Executive Chef - Airline Catering - BI-LINGUAL Engl./Span.
Location: Houston, TX (IAH Base)
Position Type: Full-Time / Executive Operational Leadership
Reports To: Corporate Executive Chef (CEC)
Direct Reports: Sous Chefs, Line Chefs, Cooks, Kitchen Helpers
About Us
We are a premium boutique airline catering organization dedicated to delivering top-tier, fresh, and exceptionally crafted culinary experiences to world leading international carriers. We pride ourselves on fine-dining craftsmanship scaled to the skies, operating with operational precision, passion, and uncompromising quality standards.
Role Overview
We are seeking a high-energy, battle-tested, and deeply hands-on Executive Chef to lead our Houston - IAH hot kitchen team.
This is NOT a desk job . You will be on the floor every day, working shoulder-to-shoulder with your team, cooking alongside them, leading by example, and coaching your Sous Chefs into top-tier operational leaders. You are the operational engine of the culinary department, responsible for maintaining strict food safety, driving profitability through food and labor controls, and elevating our culinary standards to exceed international airline expectations.
We operate using the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®). You must embody and execute LMA (Lead, Manage, and create Accountability) to foster an elite, highly skilled, and accountable culinary culture.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership, Coaching & EOS (LMA)
  • Lead, Manage, & Hold Accountable (LMA): Own the leadership of your kitchen staff through clear expectations, open communication, and daily accountability.
  • Hands-on Floor Leadership: Lead from the line. Work shoulder-to-shoulder with cooks and Sous Chefs during prep and production peaks.
  • Talent Development: Mentor and mold Sous Chefs into fully capable, autonomous leaders. Identify talent gaps and actively train cooks and helpers.
  • Recruitment & Hiring: Drive the culinary selection process. Conduct practical test kitchen auditions (including "Mystery Basket" challenges) to hire only the best talent. Manage team performance, up to and including termination when necessary.

Culinary Excellence & Airline Operations
  • Meal Presentations & Chef Tables: Lead customer menu presentations, and Chef's Table evaluations for existing and prospective airline clients.
  • Audit & Quality Standards: Enforce strict compliance with MEDINA Quality Standards, customer specifications, and internal/external quality audits.
  • Recipe Development: Oversee batch recipe execution, test kitchen work, menu yields, and accurate culinary scaling for production.
  • Boutique Quality: Maintain an unwavering commitment to fresh, top-tier ingredients and artisanal presentation across all flight classes.

Food Safety, Quality (FSQ) & Compliance
  • Strict HACCP & Safety Control: Maintain absolute compliance with critical control points, specifically CCP 3/4 (cooking/chilling) and CCP 2.2 (thawing protocols).
  • Audit Readiness: Ensure the facility is always audit-ready for customer, FDA, local health authority, and international airline carrier inspections.
  • Waste & Hygiene: Drive rigorous cleanliness, sanitation, and kitchen waste management processes.

Administrative & Financial Control
  • Labor Management: Build efficient shift schedules in Paylocity, actively manage labor cost targets, and maintain strict control over overtime.
  • Food Cost & Yield Management: Oversee daily raw material requisitions, perform precise food cost calculations, minimize yield losses, and audit kitchen waste logs.
  • Administrative Oversight: Track inventory, manage attendance/timecards, and coordinate seamlessly with supply chain and procurement.

Company Core Values:
You must be willing to embrace our Company Core Values in the way you dedicate yourself to work:
CATCH
  • Customer Service
  • Accountability
  • Teamwork
  • Competitiveness
  • Honesty

Our Mission:
"To continue to be the leading in-flight and corporate catering company serving the Houston & Dallas Metro market by using locally sourced and sustainable raw ingredients, providing the most memorable and personalized attention to detail all while maintaining a fiscally sound budget and complying with the highest food safety standards."
Requirements
Candidate Qualifications & Requirements
  • Airline Catering Experience: Mandatory. Proven leadership experience in a high-volume, high-spec commercial airline catering facility.
  • Leadership Style: 100% hands-on operator who thrives on the line, loves teaching, and leads by example.
  • Management Methodology: Deep familiarity or working experience with the EOS® framework (or a strong alignment with its core LMA principles).
  • FSQ & Regulatory Expertise: Strong technical knowledge of HACCP, MEDINA standards, FDA/USDA regulations, and CCP execution.
  • Administrative Proficiency: Tech-savvy with prior experience in Paylocity (or similar HR/scheduling software), inventory management tools, and spreadsheet-based food cost calculations.
  • Communication: Clear, direct communicator capable of motivating a diverse, multicultural kitchen workforce.
  • BI-LINGUAL Engl./Span. preferred.
  • Salary DOE

Salary Description
Exempt/Salaried

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