ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Development Chef Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Emish Market

Head Chef

Federal Way, WA · On-site

$27/hr

Please do not apply if you do not have significant professional experience as a Chef / Head Chef ... development and recipe executionStrong knowledge of professional cooking techniques and food ...

Piatti Seattle

Sous Chef (Exempt)

Seattle, WA · On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

As a Sous Chef, you will have the chance to showcase your expertise and creativity in crafting ... and development consulting services. Palisades is committed to creating design-driven, dynamic ...

Piatti Seattle

Sous Chef (Exempt)

Seattle, WA · On-site

$57K - $77K/yr

As a Sous Chef, you will have the chance to showcase your expertise and creativity in crafting ... and development consulting services. Palisades is committed to creating design-driven, dynamic ...

Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Be Seen First

Sous Chef

Gig Harbor, WA · On-site

$70K - $76K/yr

... Development: Assist in training new kitchen staff and conduct ongoing coaching to enhance their ... A chef should be able to endure these conditions while maintaining focus and composure. · A keen ...

Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Be Seen First

Sous Chef

Gig Harbor, WA · On-site

$70K - $76K/yr

... Development: Assist in training new kitchen staff and conduct ongoing coaching to enhance their ... A chef should be able to endure these conditions while maintaining focus and composure. · A keen ...

The Butcher's Table

Sous Chef

Seattle, WA

$72K - $82K/yr

Partner with the Chef on seasonal menu rollouts, recipe development, and daily features. * Participate in butchery, fabrication, and protein portioning to maintain quality and cost targets. * Train ...

Piatti Seattle

Sous Chef (Exempt)

Seattle, WA · On-site

$56K - $76K/yr

As a Sous Chef, you will have the chance to showcase your expertise and creativity in crafting ... and development consulting services. Palisades is committed to creating design-driven, dynamic ...

Restaurant Associates

Sous Chef

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$80K - $82K/yr

Position Title: Sous Chef Location: Kirkland, WA Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 5:30AM - 3:30PM ... development. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, solutions-oriented culinary ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$80K - $82K/yr

Position Title: Sous Chef Location: Kirkland, WA Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 5:30AM - 3:30PM ... development. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, solutions-oriented culinary ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$80K - $82K/yr

Position Title: Sous Chef Location: Kirkland, WA Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 5:30AM - 3:30PM ... development. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, solutions-oriented culinary ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef

Kirkland, WA · On-site

$80K - $82K/yr

Position Title: Sous Chef Location: Kirkland, WA Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 5:30AM - 3:30PM ... development. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, solutions-oriented culinary ...

The Butcher's Table

Sous Chef

Seattle, WA

$34.62 - $39.42/hr

Partner with the Chef on seasonal menu rollouts, recipe development, and daily features. * Participate in butchery, fabrication, and protein portioning to maintain quality and cost targets. * Train ...

Sugar Mountain

Sous Chef

Seattle, WA · On-site

$56K - $76K/yr

Partner with the Chef on seasonal menu rollouts, recipe development, and daily features. * Participate in butchery, fabrication, and protein portioning to maintain quality and cost targets. * Train ...

13 Coins, Inc.

Sous Chef

Bellevue, WA · On-site

$56K - $76K/yr

The Sous Chef oversees the Day to Day components of 13 Coins culinary program, The Sous Chef leads ... Participates in the development of new staff positions including recruitment, interviewing ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsDevelopment Chef JobsDevelopment Chef Jobs in Seattle, WA

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

Federal Way, WA • On-site

Emish Market
See more jobs at Emish Marketexternal

$27/hr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING:Please do not apply if you do not have significant professional experience as a Chef / Head Chef and strong professional knowledge of both Ukrainian and European cuisine. Applications that do not meet these requirements will be automatically declined.Emish Restaurant is a Ukrainian and European restaurant located in Federal Way, WA. We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and help us deliver authentic, high-quality Ukrainian and European cuisine.The ideal candidate is an experienced culinary professional with strong leadership skills, excellent knowledge of Ukrainian and European cooking, and a passion for creating high-quality food.What You'll DoLead and oversee daily kitchen operationsPrepare and oversee authentic Ukrainian and European dishesDevelop and improve menu items while maintaining traditional flavors and qualityEnsure consistency in taste, quality, portion sizes, and presentationTrain, supervise, and support kitchen staffAssign daily tasks and ensure efficient kitchen workflowMonitor food preparation, cooking, plating, and serviceMaintain high standards of food quality and presentationManage food inventory, ordering, and product rotationControl food waste and help maintain food cost standardsEnsure proper food storage, labeling, and handlingMaintain a clean, organized, and safe kitchenEnsure compliance with food safety and sanitation standardsWork closely with restaurant management on menu planning, specials, and kitchen operationsLead by example and maintain a professional and respectful kitchen environmentWork Schedule: Full-time; schedule will be discussed during the interview. Weekend and holiday availability is required.Pay & Compensation: $27+ per hour (Competitive pay based on experience and qualifications).Benefits:We offer competitive employee benefits including paid sick leave (1 hour per 40 hours worked), partial employer-covered medical insurance (75% for full-time employees), and paid vacation: 1 week after 1 year of employment and 2 weeks after 2 years.Required QualificationsSignificant professional experience as a Chef, Sous Chef, or Head ChefStrong professional knowledge of Ukrainian cuisineStrong professional knowledge of European cuisineProven experience leading and managing a kitchen teamExperience with menu development and recipe executionStrong knowledge of professional cooking techniques and food preparationKnowledge of food safety, sanitation, and kitchen safety standardsAbility to work efficiently in a fast-paced restaurant environmentStrong leadership, communication, and organizational skillsAbility to train and motivate kitchen staffAbility to maintain consistent food quality under pressureAbility to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbsReliable, punctual, and professionalPreferred QualificationsExperience working in Ukrainian, Eastern European, or European restaurantsExperience with food costing, inventory management, and waste controlExperience creating and developing Ukrainian and European menusWashington State Food Worker Card or ability to obtain oneIf you do not have the required professional culinary experience and strong knowledge of both Ukrainian and European cuisine, please do not apply. Your application will be automatically declined.