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Development Chef Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Sky Chefs

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$86K - $105K/yr

Head Chef Job Location: Seattle-USA-98188 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $86,417.73 ... the development of food products and menus as needed. • Must be aware of content in catering ...

Sky Chefs

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$86K - $105K/yr

Head Chef Job Location: Seattle-USA-98188 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $86,417.73 ... the development of food products and menus as needed. • Must be aware of content in catering ...

LSG Sky Chefs

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Head Chef Job Location: Seattle-USA-98188 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $90,000.00 ... Participates in the development of food products and menus as needed. * Must be aware of content in ...

JCSI

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Support menu development, recipe execution, and continuous culinary improvement. * Address customer concerns and implement corrective actions when needed. Leadership * Serve as the Executive Chef ...

Heart n Belly

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Lead menu R&D, incorporating customer feedback and food trends. * Standardize recipes to ensure ... As Head Chef, you'll have the creative freedom and resources to make a lasting impact on the team ...

Heart n Belly

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Lead menu R&D, incorporating customer feedback and food trends. * Standardize recipes to ensure ... As Head Chef, you'll have the creative freedom and resources to make a lasting impact on the team ...

Life Care Companies, LLC

Sous Chef

Issaquah, WA · On-site

$30 - $34/hr

The Sous Chef supervises all kitchen team personnel and assists the Executive Chef in hiring, scheduling, training, development, and discipline. In addition, the Sous Chef plans, develops and ...

Life Care Services

Sous Chef

Issaquah, WA · On-site

$30 - $34/hr

The Sous Chef supervises all kitchen team personnel and assists the Executive Chef in hiring, scheduling, training, development, and discipline. In addition, the Sous Chef plans, develops and ...

Heritage at Irene Woods

Sous Chef

Issaquah, WA · On-site

$30 - $34/hr

The Sous Chef supervises all kitchen team personnel and assists the Executive Chef in hiring, scheduling, training, development, and discipline. In addition, the Sous Chef plans, develops and ...

Asbury Village

Sous Chef

Issaquah, WA

$30 - $34/hr

The Sous Chef supervises all kitchen team personnel and assists the Executive Chef in hiring, scheduling, training, development, and discipline. In addition, the Sous Chef plans, develops and ...

Air-Culinaire-Worldwide

Executive Chef

Burien, WA · On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

... development. The Kitchen Manager/Executive Chef must have an excellent driving record and valid ... driver's license, and be able to pass a FAA on-ramp security clearance and pre-employment and ...

The Arlington of Naples

Sous Chef

Issaquah, WA

$30 - $34/hr

The Sous Chef supervises all kitchen team personnel and assists the Executive Chef in hiring, scheduling, training, development, and discipline. In addition, the Sous Chef plans, develops and ...

Life Care Services

Sous Chef

Issaquah, WA · On-site

$30 - $34/hr

The Sous Chef supervises all kitchen team personnel and assists the Executive Chef in hiring, scheduling, training, development, and discipline. In addition, the Sous Chef plans, develops and ...

Four Seasons Hotels Limited

Sous Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$81K - $84K/yr

Sous Chef - Full Time Four Seasons Hotel Seattle Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is looking for Sous ... In charge of development of culinary team * Responsible for F&B initiatives and programs, such as ...

SkyChefs

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$86K - $105K/yr

Head Chef Job Location: Seattle-USA-98188 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $86,417.73 ... the development of food products and menus as needed. • Must be aware of content in catering ...

Heart n Belly

Head Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $110K/yr

Lead menu R&D, incorporating customer feedback and food trends. * Standardize recipes to ensure ... As Head Chef, you'll have the creative freedom and resources to make a lasting impact on the team ...

Air Culinaire Worldwide

Executive Chef

Seatac, WA · On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

... development. The Kitchen Manager/Executive Chef must have an excellent driving record and valid ... driver's license, and be able to pass a FAA on-ramp security clearance and pre-employment and ...

Upper Crust Food Service

Sous Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$29 - $30/hr

Collaborate with the Chef on menu development, production planning, and operational improvements. * Step into leadership responsibilities in the Chef's absence. Health & Safety Compliance * Ensure ...

Gategroup

Executive Sous Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Chefs, cooks, and team leaders; minimize waste through portioning, overboarding over-production ... Assists in the development and training of cooks as required Responsible for culinary employee ...

Gategroup

Executive Sous Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Chefs, cooks, and team leaders; minimize waste through portioning, overboarding over-production ... Assists in the development and training of cooks as required Responsible for culinary employee ...

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Development Chef information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$37.6K

$88.1K

$151.4K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for development chef in Seattle, WA is $88,125.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,600.00 and $103,000.00 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 Seattle, WA?

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

What job categories do people searching Development Chef jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Development Chef jobs in Seattle, WA are:

Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,177 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Head Chef

Seattle, WA • On-site

Sky Chefs
Food Services and Drinking Places • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Sky Chefsexternal

$86K - $105K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

LSG Group rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Title: Head Chef
Job Location: Seattle-USA-98188
Work Location Type: On-Site
Salary Range: $86,417.73 - 105,000.00

About us
Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.
Role Purpose Statement

This role partners closely with the Executive Chef to deliver exceptional daily food production at our Customer Service Center (CSC), ensuring every dish meets company standards, menu specifications, and customer expectations. Acting as the Chef’s right hand, the incumbent also takes full leadership of operations in the Executive Chef’s absence, keeping the kitchen running smoothly and standards consistently high

Main Accountabilities

•Supports all food production activities in the Hot & Cold Kitchen in responsible CSC which include but not limited to the following.
•Identifying deviations in inventories and production, initiates countermeasures if necessary
•Supports the controls and adjust of production plans, estimates consumption of food and equipment required to execute the daily production.
•Ensures compliance of recipe specifications and conducts sense-checks (Gold Standards)
•Participates in the development of food products and menus as needed.
•Must be aware of content in catering manuals; updates and distributes them within responsible CSC
•Supports the cost controlling of the budget, personnel and material costs
•Participates in menu presentations internal and external
•The coordination and controls countermeasures in the production in case of customer complaints
•Helps to develop and support existing training strategy and training plans for kitchen staff in responsible CSC
•Represents kitchen and kitchen staff in front of external stakeholders
•Actively researches and incorporates industry innovations and emerging food trends, ensuring continuous alignment and collaboration with Design Chefs.
•Participates in marketing activities as needed
•Ensures quality of goods received
•Guarantees tidiness in food storage in the responsible CSC is maintained and first in - first out principle is followed
•Guarantees adherence to hygiene, health and safety standards and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) regulations in responsible CSC
•Ensure that the area of responsibility is properly organized, staffed and directed
•Guide, motivate and develop the subordinate employees within the Human Resources Policy
•Make the company's values and management principles live in the department(s)
•Implement and control the cost budget in the area of responsibility; initiate and steer corrective actions in case of deviations
•Participate and support company sponsored initiatives such as Global Quality Standard (GQS), HACCP, Lean Manufacturing

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

•Five years of experience in commercial cooking.
•Apprenticeship or Graduation from an accredited culinary school
•Additional certifications (e.g. diet chef, industrial chef, design chef,) or equivalent professional experience preferred
•Certification with the American Culinary Federation a plus
•Knowledge of food and hygiene regulations (example: HACCP)
•Good communication and organizational skills
•Service orientation
•Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications

SkyChefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

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