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Development Chef Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Cuisine Solutions

Sous Chef

Sterling, VA · On-site

$65K - $68K/yr

Reporting to the VP, Culinary, the Sous Chef will be responsible for menu creation, food presentations, recipe development, Food and Equipment inventory maintenance The Company: Cuisine Solutions is ...

Cuisine Solutions

Sous Chef

Sterling, VA · On-site

$50K - $68K/yr

Reporting to the VP, Culinary, the Sous Chef will be responsible for menu creation, food presentations, recipe development, Food and Equipment inventory maintenance The Company: Cuisine Solutions is ...

J Gilbert's

Sous Chef

Mclean, VA

$68K - $73K/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 ...

Oceanaire Seafood Room

Sous Chef

Washington, DC

$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 ...

Oceanaire Seafood Room

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 ...

J Gilbert's

Sous Chef

Mclean, VA · On-site

$68K - $73K/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 ...

Not Your Average Joe's

Sous Chef

Bethesda, MD

$65K - $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 ...

Not Your Average Joe's

Sous Chef

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$65K - $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 ...

Compass Group

Chef de Cuisine

Washington, DC

$110K - $120K/yr

Work with Creative Director and Executive Chef to determine development calendar and internally promote new items internally. Supports special projects when needed with projects including but not ...

Invited

Sous Chef

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$51K - $69K/yr

... a Sous Chef, you are responsible for supporting the daily operations of the kitchen. You will ... development, while also adhering to all health and safety regulations. This position requires ...

Invited Clubs

Sous Chef

Ashburn, VA

$51K - $69K/yr

Job Summary As a Sous Chef, you are responsible for supporting the daily operations of the kitchen ... development, while also adhering to all health and safety regulations. This position requires ...

Union Square Events

Chef de Cuisine

Washington, DC · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Serve as the department head for culinary operations in the absences of Executive Chef * Assist in menu development, inventory, ordering/purchasing, food cost controls, training, sanitation, and ...

Compass Group

Chef de Cuisine

Washington, DC · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Serve as the department head for culinary operations in the absences of Executive Chef * Assist in menu development, inventory, ordering/purchasing, food cost controls, training, sanitation, and ...

Compass Group

Chef de Cuisine

Washington, DC

$110K - $120K/yr

Serve as the department head for culinary operations in the absences of Executive Chef * Assist in menu development, inventory, ordering/purchasing, food cost controls, training, sanitation, and ...

ClubCorp

Sous Chef

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$26 - $28/hr

Job Summary As a Sous Chef, you are responsible for supporting the daily operations of the kitchen ... development, while also adhering to all health and safety regulations. This position requires ...

Ellizabetta | La Strega

Sous Chef

Washington, DC

$62K - $68K/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 ...

Meriwether Godsey, Inc.

Executive Chef

Potomac, MD · On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

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 ...

DIG INN Restaurant Teams

Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Chef Operator [Executive Chef/General Manager] COMPENSATION: Salary Range: $80,000-85,000/year with ... Review & collaborate on people development plans with the Field Leadership team to build thoughtful ...

DIG INN Restaurant Teams

Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Chef Operator [Executive Chef/General Manager] COMPENSATION: Salary Range: $80,000-85,000/year with ... Review & collaborate on people development plans with the Field Leadership team to build thoughtful ...

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Showing results 41-60

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 Aug 22, 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.

Outlet Sous Chef

141 Hard Rock Cafe International (STP) Inc

Washington, DC • On-site

$56K - $76K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Our team members are the key to our company’s success, and their health and well-being, as well as that of their families, is very important to us. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that allows our team members stay healthy, plan for their future and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Benefits may vary with employment status.  To see our fill list of Team Member Benefits please visit our career site: www.gotoworkhappy.com/benefits

Job Description:

Sous Chef will be the second in command in our cafe, following the Kitchen Manager and/or Executive Chef. In addition, the Sous Chef ensures that Hard Rock culinary standards are upheld: the food looks good and is cooked properly, the proportions are correct, and it is cooked and served quickly. Also, the Sous Chef supports the cafe’s senior leadership in upholding all brand standards and core values while meeting or exceeding Hard Rocks business objectives.

  • Support and assist in the preparation and design of all food orders.
  • Maintain the highest standards of brand, local health, safety, and food preparation hygiene
  • Support the team in consistent execution of all systems and processes to consistently deliver all products and services to brand
  • Support senior management in building a highly functional hourly team who share a common vision and values surrounding the overall success of the
  • Foster an environment of customer service in which all team members put the guest first in every
  • Execute established food standards for overall guest satisfaction that meet or exceed brand
  • Ensure the highest levels of hygiene and food handling practices to deliver optimal quality of product to
  • Support staff development and advancement along well-defined career
  • Serve as a Culinary Learning Coach developing, implementing, and executing learning & development programs for all Heart of House employees in order to drive continuous improvement and employee
  • Fill in for the Executive Chef or Kitchen Manager in planning and directing food preparation when necessary 
  • Possess a self-motivated approach to his/her own personal and professional growth.

This job description reflects the position’s essential functions; it does not encompass all of the tasks that may be assigned.