ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Culinary Innovation Jobs in Berkeley, IL

Lifespace Communities

Culinary Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$16.66 - $22.90/hr

Direct daily coverage to complete all work assignments; replace any absent or reassign team members ... Driven by a commitment to exceptional service, innovation, and meaningful connections, our team ...

Four Seasons Hotels Limited

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $101K/yr

Plan, organize, control and direct the work of employees in the culinary department while ensuring ... innovation, elevating the guest experience, enhancing market relevance, and collaborating with ...

Private Listing

Director of Operations

Chicago, IL

$130K - $160K/yr

Join a premier hospitality group where visionary culinary artistry converges with uncompromised ... Drive ongoing innovation in fine dining service delivery, tableside hospitality, and guest ...

New

Five Iron Golf Chicago LLC

Culinary Lead

Chicago, IL · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

... innovation, inclusivity, and community connection. The Culinary Lead will coach kitchen staff to ... Control and direct the food preparation process * Assist in hiring and training of all kitchen ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsCulinary Innovation JobsDirector Culinary Innovation JobsDirector Culinary Innovation Jobs in Berkeley, IL

Director Culinary Innovation information

See Berkeley, IL salary details

$29.6K

$95.7K

$211.5K

How much do director culinary innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for director culinary innovation in Berkeley, IL is $95,736.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,300.00 and $121,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of culinary innovation do?

A Director of Culinary Innovation leads the development of new food concepts, recipes, and menu items within a restaurant group, food company, or hospitality organization. They research food trends, collaborate with chefs and product developers, and oversee the testing and implementation of new culinary offerings. This role combines creativity with business strategy to ensure that new menu items are both appealing to customers and aligned with the brand's goals. Additionally, they may work closely with marketing, supply chain, and operations teams to ensure successful product launches and consistent quality.

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

To thrive as a Director of Culinary Innovation, you need extensive culinary expertise, menu development experience, and a degree in culinary arts or a related field. Familiarity with food safety standards, R&D processes, and kitchen management systems is typically required, along with certifications such as ServSafe. Creativity, leadership, and strong communication skills set standout candidates apart by enabling effective team collaboration and trend-setting ideation. These skills are crucial to successfully leading culinary teams, developing market-responsive menus, and ensuring operational excellence.

How does a director of culinary innovation typically collaborate with other departments within a food service organization?

A Director of Culinary Innovation frequently partners with teams such as marketing, supply chain, and operations to ensure new menu items align with brand strategy, ingredient availability, and kitchen workflows. This role often leads cross-functional meetings to gather feedback, address operational concerns, and refine recipes based on input from chefs, nutritionists, and customer insights teams. Effective collaboration is essential to successfully launch innovative concepts that are both exciting for customers and feasible for large-scale implementation.

What is the difference between Director Culinary Innovation vs Executive Chef?

AspectDirector Culinary InnovationExecutive Chef
Primary FocusDeveloping new culinary concepts, product innovation, and culinary strategyOverseeing kitchen operations, menu creation, and food preparation
Work EnvironmentCorporate kitchens, R&D labs, product development settingsRestaurant kitchens, hotel kitchens, culinary establishments
CredentialsOften requires culinary degree, experience in innovation or R&DCulinary degree, extensive kitchen experience, culinary certifications
Industry UsageCommon in food manufacturing, hospitality chains, and corporate food servicesPrimarily in restaurants, hotels, and culinary establishments

The main difference is that the Director of Culinary Innovation focuses on creating new culinary concepts and product development within a corporate or industry setting, while the Executive Chef manages daily kitchen operations and menu execution in a restaurant or hospitality environment. Both roles require culinary expertise, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

What job categories do people searching Director Culinary Innovation jobs in Berkeley, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Culinary Innovation jobs in Berkeley, IL are:

What cities near Berkeley, IL are hiring for Director Culinary Innovation jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, IL with the most Director Culinary Innovation job openings:

Director Culinary Innovation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Culinary Innovation job openings in Berkeley, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,736 per year, or $46 per hour.

Culinary Lead

Lifespace Communities

Chicago, IL • On-site

$16.66 - $22.90/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Lifespace Communities rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Community:
Oak Trace
Address:
200 Village Drive
Downers Grove, Illinois 60516
Pay Range
$16.66-$22.90+ Hourly
Live your purpose. Grow your career. Thrive through teamwork. Create meaningful, personalized experiences.
At Lifespace, team members are at the center of delivering a purpose driven experience for our residents! We provide an environment where each team member can live their aspirations, developing in their career, making a difference, and being a part of a meaningful mission. Join our outstanding Culinary Leadership team as our new Culinary Server Lead today!
A few details about the role:
  • Direct daily coverage to complete all work assignments; replace any absent or reassign team members to ensure there is proper coverage to cover daily workload.
  • Orient new team members on department procedures. Teach team members the proper use of all department equipment.
  • Welcome residents and guests to the culinary venue and coordinate seating location Greet residents and guests in a professional, courteous, and timely manner. Provide a high level of resident and guest engagement
  • Accurately take resident and guest orders, entering menu selections into a point-of-sale or similar tracking electronic system.
  • Facilitate the to go/take-out orders.
  • Audit each server's side job assignment for completeness prior to dismissing. And communicate on-going performance feedback.
  • Fill room service menu orders and expedite delivery and ensure all room service trays are retrieved at conclusion of dining time.
  • Clear tables during and after residents and guests have concluded dining. Arrange table settings appropriately and efficiently.

And here's what you need to apply:
  • High school diploma or equivalent, Associate degree preferred.
  • Two to three years applicable experience.

Lifespace has successfully served older adults for 50 years, and this is just the beginning. With new opportunities, continued growth, and the support from your Lifespace team members, get ready to ignite your life and experience Our Space.
COMPANY OVERVIEW:
Lifespace Communities, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is one of the nation's largest nonprofit senior living organizations. For over 50 years, we have been dedicated to creating vibrant communities across the country where older adults are empowered to live their aspirations with purpose, independence, and peace of mind. Driven by a commitment to exceptional service, innovation, and meaningful connections, our team members work together to enrich the lives of our residents every day. At Lifespace, you'll find more than a career, you'll find an opportunity to make a lasting impact while growing professionally in a collaborative, mission-driven organization.
Equal Opportunity Employer

What Lifespace Communities employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply