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Development Chef Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Professional Development If you want to lead a team, exude hospitality with a passion to please, and desire to be a part of a best-in-class organization with huge opportunities for growth and ...

... development and seasonal changes • Oversee kitchen operations during Chef's absence • Maintain cost control and waste reduction initiatives • Collaborate with front-of-house teams to ensure ...

As Sous Chef, you will be responsible for supporting the Executive Chef and GENERAL MANGER in ... Continuing education & professional development If you're passionate about hospitality, thrive in a ...

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

As Sous Chef, you will be responsible for supporting the Executive Chef and GENERAL MANGER in ... Continuing education & professional development If you're passionate about hospitality, thrive in a ...

Support menu development and daily specials Qualifications * 2+ years of kitchen management or sous chef experience * Strong leadership and communication skills * Ability to work efficiently under ...

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$56K - $76K/yr

As Sous Chef, you will support the Executive Chef and General Manager in leading all kitchen ... development opportunities If you are passionate about French cuisine, thrive in a leadership role ...

Sous Chef

Lansdowne, VA · On-site

$50K - $68K/yr

The Sous Chef will assist the Executive Chef in all phases of meal preparation. Prepares salad bar ... Many Opportunities for Growth and Development Being an RUI team member means having the opportunity ...

Sous Chef

Lansdowne, VA · On-site

$50K - $68K/yr

The Sous Chef will assist the Executive Chef in all phases of meal preparation. Prepares salad bar ... Many Opportunities for Growth and Development Being an RUI team member means having the opportunity ...

Sous Chef

Washington, DC

$56K - $76K/yr

As Sous Chef, you will support the Executive Chef and General Manager in leading all kitchen ... development opportunities If you are passionate about French cuisine, thrive in a leadership role ...

Executive Chef

Bowie, MD · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

We are seeking an experienced, systems-driven Executive Chef who is passionate about culinary excellence, operational rigor, and leadership development. Position Overview The Executive Chef leads all ...

Sous Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$56K - $76K/yr

As Sous Chef, you will support the Executive Chef and General Manager in leading all kitchen ... development opportunities If you are passionate about French cuisine, thrive in a leadership role ...

Sous-chef

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

... development and innovation - Maintain a positive, professional work environment and foster teamwork Skills and Qualifications: - Proven experience as a Sous Chef or similar role in a reputable ...

New

Sous Chef

Washington, DC

$56K - $76K/yr

As Sous Chef, youwill be responsible for supporting the Executive Chef and GENERALMANGER in ... Continuing education & professional development If you're passionate about hospitality, thrive in ...

Sous Chef

Bethesda, MD

$52K - $70K/yr

The Sous Chef is responsible for managing the day-to-day food production for our high-volume ... in the development of new and innovative culinary concepts and participate in menu planning ...

Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Foster a positive culture focused on accountability, development, and teamwork What We're Looking For * Executive Chef experience in a high-volume, upscale casual or polished casual environment

The Head Chef is responsible for leading all kitchen and back-of-house operations while delivering ... This role balances hands-on culinary leadership with operational oversight, team development, and ...

Training & development Benefits/Perks * Flexible Scheduling * Competitive Compensation * Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Sous Chef to join our team. In this ...

Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$81K - $112K/yr

The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful operation and administration of the culinary ... Work collaboratively with all members of the food and beverage team in menu planning, development ...

Sous Chef

Burke, VA · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

The Sous Chef will assist the Executive Chef in all phases of meal preparation. Prepares employee ... Many Opportunities for Growth and Development Being an RUI team member means having the opportunity ...

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Showing results 1-20

Development Chef information

See Washington, DC salary details

$37.4K

$87.7K

$150.6K

How much do development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for development chef in Washington, DC is $87,674.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,200.00 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, DC? For Development Chef jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Development Chef jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Development Chef jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Development Chef job openings in Washington, DC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $87,674 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

$65K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

KNEAD is seeking a talented Sous Chef for our flagship restaurant, MI VIDA WHARF. As Sous Chef, you will be responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations and ensuring quality and consistency in all menu items. Reporting to the Executive Chef and General Manager, you will have the opportunity to work with an amazing team of culinary professionals. Experience with Mexican cuisine is a requirement for this position, along with at least 3-5 years in a Sous Chef role.

Qualifications:

  • 5+ years cooking experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory role
  • At least 3-5 years of experience as a Chef De Cuisine or Executive Sous Chef
  • Experience with French cuisine is required
  • College degree or certification in culinary field/hospitality field preferred but not required
  • Experience in menu standards and plating guidelines
  • Strong leadership and team-building skills
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to understand financial goals and accomplish them

What makes our team worth joining?

How about:

  • Incredibly competitive salary with opportunity for promotion and development
  • Generous PTO
  • An achievable, straightforward bonus program
  • Medical / Dental / Vision
  • Dining allowances that can be used in any restaurant
  • Continuing Education
  • Professional Development

If you want to lead a team, exude hospitality with a passion to please, and desire to be a part of a best-in-class organization with huge opportunities for growth and development, we want to hear from you!

KNEAD Hospitality + Design Restaurants

www.kneadhd.com | @kneadhd

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Competitive

More detail about Mi Vida Restaurante part of Knead Hospitality + Design, please visit https://culinaryagents.com/entities/135153-Mi-Vida-Restaurante