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Development Chef Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Head Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

You will play a critical role in talent development, succession planning, and maintaining high ... 150th celebration, Executive Chef Brandon Thordarson delivers culinary excellence under a ...

Sous Chef

Mclean, VA

$50K - $68K/yr

Sous Chef | LodgeWorks is actively hiring for a Sous Chef Who we are LodgeWorks is a privately held hotel development and management company. While our name isn't on the hotels themselves, our ...

Support with all people leadership tasks - including team recruitment, development and performance chats, onboarding new starters - this is a great role for an aspiring Executive Sous Chef who wants ...

Exec Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$81K - $112K/yr

Chef | Boutique Hotel Responsible for overseeing all culinary operations for the hotel restaurant ... Strong knowledge of food preparation, menu development, and cost control. * Excellent leadership ...

Reporting to the Executive Chef, responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not ... Conduct daily shift briefings to Colleagues. * Assist in the development of new menu items.

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $75K/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 ...

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $75K/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 ...

Sous Chef

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$68K - $78K/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 ...

Head Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

You will play a critical role in talent development, succession planning, and maintaining high ... 150th celebration, Executive Chef Brandon Thordarson delivers culinary excellence under a ...

Outlet Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$56K - $76K/yr

In addition, the Sous Chef ensures that Hard Rock culinary standards are upheld: the food looks ... Support staff development and advancement along well-defined career * Serve as a Culinary Learning ...

Assistant Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $72K/yr

Job Summary We are seeking a passionate and reliable Assistant Chef to support our kitchen ... Support menu development and specials when needed * Work collaboratively with kitchen staff to ...

Support the Executive Chef in menu development, sourcing, and ingredient costing * Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring each service runs smoothly and meets Michelin-star standards * Oversee food ...

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Support the Executive Chef in menu development, prep systems, and daily operations * Uphold quality standards and ensure dishes are executed with precision * Train, guide, and inspire the culinary ...

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Support the Executive Chef in menu development, prep systems, and daily operations * Uphold quality standards and ensure dishes are executed with precision * Train, guide, and inspire the culinary ...

Oversee menu development, purchasing, and production, incorporating the latest trends and practices ... What the Executive Chef needs: * Associate's Degree or five or more years of related food service ...

Sous Chef

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$62K - $75K/yr

As a Sous Chef you will play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of our restaurant ... Ensures all training materials, development and schedules are being followed * Clearly ...

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Showing results 1-20

Development Chef information

See Washington salary details

$37.4K

$87.7K

$150.6K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 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 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 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:
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,706 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Head Chef

Moxies

Washington, DC • On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Moxies is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Head Chef to lead our high-volume, premium casual kitchen in Washington, DC.

This is a key leadership role for a hands-on culinary professional who thrives in a structured, systems-driven environment and has a proven background in multi-unit national restaurant brands.

The ideal candidate brings strong restaurant chain experience, with a deep understanding of operational consistency, recipe execution, and brand standards. Expertise with Crunchtime inventory systems is required, along with a demonstrated ability to manage food costs, control inventory, and drive kitchen efficiency.

As the Head Chef, you will be responsible for leading, coaching, and developing a large culinary team, creating a culture of accountability, performance, and growth. You will play a critical role in talent development, succession planning, and maintaining high engagement across the back-of-house team.

This role demands a leader who is both operationally excellent and people-focused, someone who can consistently deliver high-quality food, execute under pressure, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.

A passion for hospitality, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement are essential.

From handcrafted dishes to signature cocktails and award-winning hospitality. Moxies has invited our guests to savour the moment across 50+ locations in Canada and in the United States for more than 30 years.
Drawing inspiration from his experience in a Michelin-recognized restaurant and designing the menu for the James Beard House Canada 150th celebration, Executive Chef Brandon Thordarson delivers culinary excellence under a commitment to the craft of cooking and the personal mantra, “if it isn’t right, it doesn’t leave the kitchen.” Chef Brandon has created an entire menu of artfully crafted, fresh flavours exclusive to Moxies. All served in a captivating ambience by a team dedicated to making Moxies the best part of your day.