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Director Culinary Development Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Flik Hospitality Group

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

Culinary & Operational Leadership * Support menu development, daily production, and food ... Partner with the Executive Chef in client tastings, catering events, and direct client interaction.

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL

$95K - $100K/yr

Culinary & Operational Leadership * Support menu development, daily production, and food ... Partner with the Executive Chef in client tastings, catering events, and direct client interaction.

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL

$95K - $100K/yr

Culinary & Operational Leadership * Support menu development, daily production, and food ... Partner with the Executive Chef in client tastings, catering events, and direct client interaction.

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

Culinary & Operational Leadership * Support menu development, daily production, and food ... Partner with the Executive Chef in client tastings, catering events, and direct client interaction.

Pearl of Montclare

Food Service Director

Chicago, IL

Food Service Director Human Resource Management and Development * Directly and/or indirectly manages all Culinary and Nutritional Services Department staff. * Experience in working with labor unions ...

Nexus of Geneva

Food Service Director

Geneva, IL

Food Service Director Benefits Health Dental Vision **COMPETITIVE SALARY*** The Food Service ... Human Resource Management and Development * Directly and/or indirectly manages all Culinary and ...

QUEENSIDE HOSPITALITY LLC

Executive Chef

Matteson, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

... development experience, financial knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple kitchen operations in a fast-paced environment. Key Responsibilities * Direct culinary operations for Applebee's, the ...

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Director Culinary Development information

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 Illinois?

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

What job categories do people searching Director Culinary Development jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Culinary Development jobs in Illinois are:

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

Director Culinary Development jobs near you

EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF

Flik Hospitality Group

Chicago, IL • On-site

$95K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Salary: $95000 - $100000 / year

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

As Executive Sous Chef, you serve as the second-in-command of the culinary team, supporting both the Executive Chef and the overall success of the entire operation. This role blends your culinary expertise, leadership, and accountability to ensure high-quality food execution, compliance with standards, and a positive team environment.

Key Expectations:

Acting Authority

  • Assume full culinary decision-making responsibility in the absence of the Executive Chef, including oversight of menu execution, kitchen operations, and client-facing needs.

Culinary & Operational Leadership

  • Support menu development, daily production, and food presentation standards.
  • Step into operations directly (line, banquets, catering) as business demands, including during call-offs or high-volume events.

Staff Coaching & Development

  • Lead, coach, and mentor sous chefs and front-line associates to strengthen skills, teamwork, and accountability.
  • Foster a positive and professional work environment, setting the tone for collaboration and respect in the kitchen.

Client & FOH Engagement

  • Partner with the Executive Chef in client tastings, catering events, and direct client interaction.
  • Maintain strong collaboration with FOH leadership to deliver seamless service.

Compliance & Safety

  • Oversee EHA responsibilities, ensuring accurate daily logs, sanitation practices, and food safety standards are consistently met.
  • Prepare the team for corporate and Flik/Compass audits, reviewing documentation for accuracy and completeness.

Training & Accountability

  • Provide ongoing training for kitchen staff, including food safety, compliance, and culinary development.
  • Ensure accountability for audit readiness, holding staff to Flik and Compass requirements.

Commitment

  • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as business needs dictate (minimum 10-hour standard days, 12-hour event days).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • B.S. Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Services Technology/Management/or related field; or A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts with additional specialized training
  • 3-5 years of relevant culinary experience
  • Mastery of a wide variety of kitchen positions and stations
  • Ability to think on their feet, as well as create, produce, and serve on the fly
  • Knowledge of food cost and how it pertains to a kitchen, product and quality identification
  • Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and oral/written communication skills
  • Applied food service sanitation certification, SERVSAFE, and/or HACCP federal guideline certification
  • Demonstrated understanding of current culinary market/trends and creative food presentation preferred

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: 1556007

Flik Hospitality Group 

JEANNE M LANE 

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