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Development Chef Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Executive Sous Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

Executive Sous Chef - Full time Four Seasons Hotel Seattle The Executive Sous Chef plays an ... Menu engineering and menu development skills * Must be hands on and be able to lead by example.

CHEF

Seattle, WA · On-site

$35/hr

Prior sous chef and/or Chef De Cuisine experience with banquets and plated catering functions is ... Opportunities for Training and Development * Retirement Plan * Associate Shopping Program * Health ...

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... The Senior Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager or Chef De Cuisine leads a culinary team managing daily ...

Assistant Executive Chef

Lynnwood, WA · On-site

$72K - $92K/yr

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... The Senior Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager or Chef De Cuisine leads a culinary team managing daily ...

Professional Development : Paid management training program to enhance skills and advance career ... The Senior Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager or Chef De Cuisine leads a culinary team managing daily ...

Training and leadership development program * Dining discounts * State Benefits Overview Position ... The Executive Chef is solely responsible for the effective management and operation of the culinary ...

... leadership development program Dining discounts State Benefits Overview Position Summary ... The Executive Chef is solely responsible for the effective management and operation of the culinary ...

Executive Chef 1

Seattle, WA

$81K - $112K/yr

Role Overview Executive Chef 1| High-End Corporate Dining | Seattle, WA Lead the Future of Food ... development. * Solid understanding of food safety, HACCP, and operational best practices.

Executive Chef 1

Seattle, WA · On-site

$67K - $87K/yr

Role Overview Executive Chef 1| High-End Corporate Dining | Seattle, WA Lead the Future of Food ... development. * Solid understanding of food safety, HACCP, and operational best practices.

Executive Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$75K - $92K/yr

Training and leadership development program * Dining discounts * State Benefits Overview Position ... The Executive Chef is solely responsible for the effective management and operation of the culinary ...

Executive Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$75K - $92K/yr

Training and leadership development program * Dining discounts * State Benefits Overview Position ... The Executive Chef is solely responsible for the effective management and operation of the culinary ...

Executive Chef

Bonney Lake, WA

$79K - $109K/yr

Responsible for multiple year-round and seasonal dining venues, the Executive Chef leads the development of culinary talent, menu strategy, food quality standards, food safety compliance, and labor ...

Executive Chef 1

Seattle, WA · On-site

$81K - $112K/yr

Role Overview Executive Chef 1| High-End Corporate Dining | Seattle, WA Lead the Future of Food ... development. * Solid understanding of food safety, HACCP, and operational best practices.

Executive Chef

Covington, WA

$81K - $111K/yr

Responsible for multiple year-round and seasonal dining venues, the Executive Chef leads the development of culinary talent, menu strategy, food quality standards, food safety compliance, and labor ...

Executive Chef

Auburn, WA

$78K - $107K/yr

Responsible for multiple year-round and seasonal dining venues, the Executive Chef leads the development of culinary talent, menu strategy, food quality standards, food safety compliance, and labor ...

Campus Executive Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$81K - $112K/yr

Talent development and training * Workplace and food safety including allergen management * Food ... Working as an Executive Chef , you are responsible for overseeing all culinary functions for a ...

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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 Jul 14, 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 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 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:
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,125 per year, or $42.4 per hour.
Executive Sous Chef

$95K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Four Seasons Hotels rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 124 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 106 rated hotels


Job description

About Four Seasons:
Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.
At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.
About the location:
Sleek urban retreat in the Pacific Northwest. Surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks, deep-blue waters and swaths of evergreen forests, Seattle is as wild as it is trendy. Our Hotel puts you in the heart of the city's downtown, with the Seattle Art Museum on one side, iconic Pike Place Market on another and the waters of Elliott Bay gleaming to the west. Wake to a fresh cup of coffee delivered straight to your room, then head out to explore eclectic neighbourhoods and craft breweries, or spend the day hiking up nearby Mount Rainier or kayaking on Lake Union. Come nightfall, meet us at Goldfinch Tavern, an Ethan Stowell Restaurant, and let our chefs show you all the best local flavours of your new favourite city.
Executive Sous Chef - Full time
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
The Executive Sous Chef plays an integral role in the kitchen management team by controlling and supervising the day to day running of the kitchens and deputizing in the absence of the Executive Chef. The Executive Sous Chef is responsible for the kitchen organization, leading the brigade of chefs on a daily basis and maintaining costs and quality control within the kitchen department.
Key Elements of the Job
  • Own the dinner food presentation for guests of Goldfinch Tavern and In-Room Dining
  • Able to run all aspects of all kitchens in absence of Executive Chef
  • Communicate clearly and often with Kitchen staff, fellow members of the Chef team and colleagues throughout the Food and Beverage division
  • Order all required product to maintain sufficient inventory
  • Manage the flow between breakfast/lunch, dinner and overnight shifts
  • Lead with integrity and inspire camaraderie in an intense environment
  • Support creativity among culinary team members, and mentor the next generation of culinary talent
  • Build rapport with purveyors, chefs and local peers within the restaurant community
  • Excellent leadership skills required with ability to develop and coach his/her team

Preferred Qualifications and Skills
  • 2 years (minimum) of previous Restaurant Chef, Banquet Chef or similar experience
  • Culinary-specific education
  • Passionate about food - knowledgeable of current menu trends and concepts and able to demonstrate strong culinary skills
  • Strong Banquet experience is desired
  • Strong line cooking skills - you will work no fewer than 3 line shifts per month demonstrating yourself as the strongest Cook in the Kitchen
  • Efficient with time
  • Comfort with administrative responsibilities while maintaining a primary focus on the Kitchen operation
  • Ability to forecast product needs
  • Familiarity with writing recipes and translating them into purchasing systems such as Birchstreet
  • Understanding of scheduling practices and basic payroll/labor reports
  • Strong business acumen - able to manage labor and food costs
  • Menu engineering and menu development skills
  • Must be hands on and be able to lead by example.

Benefits Include:
  • Salary Range: $95,000 - 105,000
  • Annual Incentive Plan eligibility
  • 13 Days Paid Time Off + 10 Paid Holidays/year
  • Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
  • 401K Retirement Savings Plan, plus Employer Match Program
  • Complimentary Room Nights and Discounted Rates
  • Complimentary Meals in our Employee Cafeteria
  • Complimentary Uniform Care & Dry Cleaning
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Investment in your Wellbeing
  • Paid Parental Leave & Short-Term Disability
  • Life Insurance
  • Bereavement & Jury Duty Pay
  • FMLA & WA State Leave
  • Personal, Medical, & Military Leave options
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Training Programs; Growth & Development Opportunities

Learn more about our property and what it is like to work at Four Seasons by visiting: http://www.fourseasons.com/seattle
Seattle Hospitality Careers | Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is an equal opportunity employer.
Four Seasons is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. To access the 'EEOC is The Law' Information poster please visit this website - https://eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf

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