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Director Culinary Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aramark

Regional Culinary Director

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

As the Regional Culinary Director will lead the transformation of food services across our healthcare system, driving excellence and innovation in patient dining. This visionary leader will blend ...

Kizuki Ramen

Culinary Director

Redmond, WA · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Culinary Director Location: Redmond / Renton, WA | Company Wide | Full-Time Pay Range: $110,000 ... Menu Innovation & Product Development * Lead creation, testing, and rollout of new menu items and ...

the Chef Agency

Culinary Director

Seattle, WA

$115K - $120K/yr

... innovation, and profitability across multiple locations. Key Responsibilities: * Develop and ... Proven success as an Executive Chef or Culinary Director in a high-volume or upscale restaurant ...

Haliburton International

Culinary Chef

Ontario, CA · On-site

... innovation executives on product and menu concept initiatives. The Corporate Chef's position ... the Director of Culinary. * Collaborates and works with other team members and cross-functional ...

Estates at Rush City

Culinary Director

Rush City, MN

$24 - $32/hr

Culinary Director Description: The Culinary Director is responsible for managing the culinary ... innovation in the care of our residents, making a meaningful impact on their quality of life and ...

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Director Culinary Innovation information

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$30K

$96.9K

$214K

How much do director culinary innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director culinary innovation in the United States is $96,881.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Culinary Innovation, and why are they important?

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.

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.

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.

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Director Culinary Innovation jobs near you
Regional Culinary Director

Regional Culinary Director

Aramark

Cleveland, OH • On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Aramark rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 1,212 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

336th of 426 rated business services

Job description

Job Description
Healthcare+ is seeking candidates for a Regional Culinary Director position at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH. As the Regional Culinary Director will lead the transformation of food services across our healthcare system, driving excellence and innovation in patient dining. This visionary leader will blend culinary creativity with evidence-based nutrition, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance to elevate the food experience in the hospital settings.
Compensation Data
COMPENSATION: The Salaried rate for this position is $120,000.00 to $135,000.00. If both numbers are the same, that is the amount that Aramark expects to offer. This is Aramark's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for this position as of the time of posting.
BENEFITS: Aramark offers comprehensive benefit programs and services for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, and work/life resources. Additional benefits may include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid days off such as parental leave and disability coverage. Benefits vary by location and are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works. For more information about Aramark benefits, click here Aramark Careers - Benefits & Compensation
There is no predetermined application window for this position, the position will close once a qualified candidate is selected. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to all applicable Fair Chance Ordinances and Acts. For jobs in San Francisco, this includes the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Job Responsibilities
  • Strategic Leadership
    • Develop and implement a system-wide culinary innovation strategy aligned with patient care, wellness, and sustainability goals.
    • Collaborate with clinical nutrition, operations, and executive leadership to integrate culinary excellence into the broader healthcare mission.
  • Menu Development & Innovation
    • Design seasonal, culturally inclusive, and therapeutic menus that meet diverse dietary needs and enhance patient satisfaction.
    • Introduce plant-forward, locally sourced, and trend-responsive offerings across all food service platforms.
  • Operational Excellence
    • Standardize culinary practices, recipes, and production methods across facilities to ensure consistency and quality.
    • Lead initiatives to reduce food waste, improve cost-efficiency, and optimize kitchen workflows.
  • Team Development
    • Mentor and inspire culinary teams, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
    • Provide training on culinary techniques, food safety, and customer service.
  • Innovation & Technology
    • Evaluate and implement emerging technologies in food preparation, ordering systems, and kitchen automation.
    • Stay abreast of industry trends and translate them into actionable strategies.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Nutrition, or related field.
  • Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or equivalent credential preferred.
  • Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in culinary operations, preferably in healthcare or large-scale institutional settings.
  • Proven track record of innovation, team leadership, and operational success.
  • Strong understanding of therapeutic diets, food safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
  • Excellent communication, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

About Aramark
Our Mission
Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.
At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
About Aramark
The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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About Aramark

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food, facilities, and uniform services in 19 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Industry

Hospitality services and facilities support services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Philadelphia, PA, US

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