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Director Culinary Development Jobs in Delaware (NOW HIRING)

Hires, trains, and schedules catering staff, and will be actively involved in the development of ... Bachelor's Degree is required in Hospitality or Culinary Arts * Minimum of 5 years of experience in ...

$50K/yr

... menu development). * Working knowledge of standardized rules and procedures for all food ... of culinary supervision practices and procedures with the ability to simultaneously direct ...

Executive Chef

Wilmington, DE · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

At Big Fish Wilmington, culinary excellence and hospitality go hand in hand. We are seeking an ... Calm under pressure, direct in communication, and passionate about standards What We Bring At Atlas ...

Showing results 21-40

Director Culinary Development information

See Delaware salary details

$16K

$95.8K

$178.2K

How much do director culinary development jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for director culinary development in Delaware is $95,791.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,100.00 and $114,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of culinary development do?

A Director of Culinary Development oversees the creation and enhancement of menu items, recipes, and food concepts for a restaurant, hospitality group, or food company. They work closely with chefs, product developers, and marketing teams to ensure that new dishes align with brand standards and customer preferences. Their responsibilities often include trend research, menu innovation, quality control, and managing culinary teams. This role requires a blend of creativity, leadership, and a deep understanding of culinary techniques and market trends.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of culinary development?

To thrive as a Director of Culinary Development, you need extensive culinary expertise, menu innovation experience, and a background in food service management, often supported by a culinary degree or equivalent professional certifications. Familiarity with recipe management software, food costing tools, and industry-standard kitchen equipment is essential. Strong leadership, creativity, and excellent communication skills help drive team performance and foster collaboration across departments. These skills are vital for developing successful culinary programs, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining a competitive edge in the food industry.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of culinary development, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Culinary Development often encounters challenges such as keeping up with rapidly changing food trends, ensuring consistency across multiple locations, and managing cross-functional collaboration between culinary teams and other departments like marketing and operations. To address these, it's important to stay informed about industry innovations, implement clear training protocols, and foster open communication with stakeholders. Building a strong team culture and establishing regular feedback mechanisms also help in overcoming obstacles and driving continuous improvement.

What are popular job titles related to Director Culinary Development jobs in Delaware?

For Director Culinary Development jobs in Delaware, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Delaware are hiring for Director Culinary Development jobs?

Cities in Delaware with the most Director Culinary Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Culinary Development job openings in Delaware as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $95,791 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

DIR, CATERING

Wilmington, DE • On-site

Compass Group
Catering • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,099 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

352nd of 501 rated business services


Job description

Salary: 65000 to 75000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

What makes FLIK click


What makes FLIK click? Our people. The decisions, actions and attitudes of our associates earn the trust and loyalty of our clients every day. We know how to pick them and we know how to grow them. It starts with hiring people who share our passion for food and hospitality. Once we find the right talent, we encourage, value and recognize their contributions.
 

We keep our people renewed, excited and engaged by providing hands-on training and educating them about the latest trends. We give them a stake in successfully raising the bar. Our people love what they do and they love sharing their passion. Join our team and see the FLIK difference. Where a job isn't merely a job but the start of a career where you can flourish.

Job Summary

Working as a Catering Director, you have the responsibility for Catering and Events. You will manage a team of staff, build client relations, along with ensuring the catering offered to our guests is of outstanding quality. 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Coordinates and oversees internal and external catering events
  • Develops and maintains the catering marketing plan including a comprehensive event planning service to clients and detailed menu development
  • Hires, trains, and schedules catering staff, and will be actively involved in the development of existing catering staff in-service techniques, menu presentation, policies, and procedures
  • Ensures successful operations of catering functions including labor cost control, foods cost control and preparation, transportation, setup, operation, and cleanup of all events

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree is required in Hospitality or Culinary Arts
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in the hospitality industry including 2 years in management (preferably Catering Management) is required
  • Booking, selecting and costing menu items, pricing contracts, and resourcing temporary help and equipment experience is key
  • The ability to supervise food preparation, service, and cleanup is also essential

Apply to Flik today!

Flik is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

 

Associates at Flik Hospitality are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. 

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_FlikHospitality.pdf 

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. 

Flik maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1564675

Flik Hospitality Group 

Shane Tirpak 

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