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Development Chef Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Trump National Golf Club Washington DC

Sous Chef

Sterling, VA · On-site

$49K - $66K/yr

... development objectives. The Sous Chef will assist the Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine in ... providing excellent quality and presentation of all food to the members and guests In maintaining ...

Columbia Sussex

Sous Chef

Arlington, VA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Contribute to menu development and recipe creation. * Step in for the Executive Chef as needed during their absence. Qualifications * Proven experience as a Sous Chef or similar role in a fast-paced ...

Trump National Golf Club Washington DC

Sous Chef

Sterling, VA · On-site

$49K - $66K/yr

... development objectives. The Sous Chef will assist the Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine in ... providing excellent quality and presentation of all food to the members and guests In maintaining ...

Crestview Management, LLC

Sous Chef

Arlington, VA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Contribute to menu development and recipe creation. * Step in for the Executive Chef as needed during their absence. Qualifications * Proven experience as a Sous Chef or similar role in a fast-paced ...

Crestview Management, LLC

Sous Chef

Arlington, VA · On-site

$57K - $77K/yr

Contribute to menu development and recipe creation. * Step in for the Executive Chef as needed during their absence. Qualifications * Proven experience as a Sous Chef or similar role in a fast-paced ...

Knead Hospitality

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

As Sous Chef, you will be responsible for supporting the Executive Chef and GENERAL MANGER in ... Continuing education & professional development If you're passionate about hospitality, thrive in a ...

Mi Vida District Wharf

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

As Sous Chef, you will be responsible for supporting the Executive Chef and GENERAL MANGER in ... Continuing education & professional development If you're passionate about hospitality, thrive in a ...

Culinaire Staffing

Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $111K/yr

Executive Chef | High-Volume, Upscale Restaurant Relocation Assistance Available About the Role: We ... Team Development & Culture: Recruit, train, schedule, and mentor all BOH personnel. Build a ...

Merriweather Lakehouse

Sous Chef

Columbia, MD · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Position Overview The Sous Chef is a hands-on culinary leader responsible for supporting the ... development. * Train, coach, and develop culinary team members on proper cooking techniques ...

Merriweather Lakehouse

Sous Chef

Columbia, MD · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Position Overview The Sous Chef is a hands-on culinary leader responsible for supporting the ... development. * Train, coach, and develop culinary team members on proper cooking techniques ...

Merriweather Lakehouse

Sous Chef

Columbia, MD · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Position OverviewThe Sous Chef is a hands-on culinary leader responsible for supporting the ... Assist with menu development, specials, seasonal offerings, and recipe development.Train, coach ...

FTK Hospitlatity DC

Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Executive Chef - Full Time FTK Hospitality Baltimore | Washington, DC FTK Hospitality DC is seeking ... Proven leadership in back-of-house operations -- focus on team development, accountability, and ...

NeoDym Technologies

Sous Chef - Full time

Sterling, VA · On-site

$60K - $64K/yr

Position Summary We are seeking a passionate and creative Sous Chef to support culinary operations, recipe development, menu creation, food presentation, product demonstrations, and client engagement.

PF Changs

Executive Chef

Fairfax, VA

$89K - $109K/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

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$89K - $109K/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 ...

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All JobsDevelopment Chef JobsDevelopment Chef Jobs in Washington

Development Chef information

See Washington salary details

$37.4K

$87.7K

$150.6K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for development chef in Washington is $87,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,300.00 and $102,500.00 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 Washington?

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

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

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

What cities in Washington are hiring for Development Chef jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Development Chef job openings:

Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,706 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Chef De Cuisine

Washington, DC

the Chef Agency
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about the Chef Agencyexternal

$100K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Salary: $100,000-115,000
 
Location: Washington DC
 
Benefits: MDV, 401k, relocation assistance, bonus up to 10%
 
A premier luxury hospitality group is seeking a talented Chef de Cuisine to join its culinary team and support the execution of an upscale, chef-driven concept
 
Qualifications:
 
  • 5+ years of progressive culinary experience in upscale, fine-dining, or chef-driven restaurants
  • Previous leadership experience as a Chef de Cuisine, Executive Sous Chef, or experienced Sous Chef
  • Strong background in menu development, recipe creation, costing, and seasonal sourcing
  • Proven ability to lead, train, and develop a high-performing culinary team
 
 
Responsibilities:
 
  • Lead all day-to-day culinary operations and ensure smooth, consistent service execution
  • Develop seasonal menus, recipes, specials, and plating standards in collaboration with the Executive Chef
  • Recruit, train, coach, and develop the culinary team while fostering a positive, accountable kitchen culture
Chef Agency logo

About Chef Agency

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

THE MOST TALENTED RECRUITING TEAM IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. With our support, you’ll have exclusive access to top-tier clients, a robust candidate database, insight from industry experts, and the necessary training and tools needed to build your book of business. Reach out today, and create your own work-life balance while achieving success in the recruiting world.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

2013

Social media

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