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Director Of Culinary Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Innovation sits at the center of our brand identity. We believe our food should constantly evolve ... The Opportunity The Director of Culinary is a senior leader responsible for shaping and advancing ...

Director of Culinary

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Innovation sits at the center of our brand identity. We believe our food should constantly evolve ... The Opportunity The Director of Culinary is a senior leader responsible for shaping and advancing ...

Director of Culinary

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

Innovation sits at the center of our brand identity. We believe our food should constantly evolve ... The Opportunity The Director of Culinary is a senior leader responsible for shaping and advancing ...

Reporting to the Vice President of Food & Beverage, the Director of Culinary will drive innovation, operational excellence, financial performance, and team development while helping shape an ...

Director of Culinary

Newry, ME · On-site

$96K - $125K/yr

Reporting to the Vice President of Food & Beverage, the Director of Culinary will drive innovation, operational excellence, financial performance, and team development while helping shape an ...

We're a young, fast-growing organization built on innovation and compassion, backed by experts ... Consult with the National Director of Culinary, community chefs, and cooks to develop/maintain a ...

The Director of Culinary is responsible for the leadership, quality, consistency, and financial ... This role oversees multiple restaurant concepts and focuses on guest satisfaction, menu innovation ...

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Director Of Culinary Innovation information

See salary details

$30K

$96.9K

$214K

How much do director of culinary innovation jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of 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 does a Director of Culinary Innovation do?

A Director of Culinary Innovation leads the development of new food concepts, recipes, and menu items for restaurants, food service companies, or food brands. They research food trends, collaborate with chefs and product development teams, and oversee the testing and implementation of new culinary ideas. Their goal is to create unique, marketable, and profitable food offerings that set their organization apart from competitors. Additionally, they ensure that new products align with the brand's identity and customer preferences while maintaining high standards for quality and safety.

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 usually a degree in culinary arts or hospitality management. Familiarity with food production technology, recipe management software, and industry certifications such as ServSafe are commonly required. Strong leadership, creativity, and the ability to collaborate across departments are essential soft skills for this role. These skills are vital for driving culinary trends, ensuring food quality, and leading teams to deliver innovative and profitable menu offerings.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Culinary Innovation when introducing new menu concepts?

A Director of Culinary Innovation often encounters challenges such as aligning creative ideas with operational feasibility, ensuring new dishes can be replicated consistently across multiple locations, and balancing innovation with customer preferences and brand identity. Collaboration with chefs, supply chain teams, and marketing is essential to address sourcing limitations and ensure successful rollouts. Additionally, staying ahead of food trends while maintaining cost-effectiveness requires ongoing market research and adaptability.

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

AspectDirector Of Culinary InnovationExecutive Chef
Primary FocusDeveloping new culinary concepts and product innovationOverseeing kitchen operations and food preparation
Work EnvironmentCorporate kitchens, R&D labs, product development settingsRestaurant kitchens, hotel kitchens, catering services
CredentialsOften culinary degree, experience in product development or innovationCulinary degree, extensive kitchen management experience
Industry UsageFood manufacturing, hospitality, restaurant chainsRestaurants, hotels, catering companies

The main difference is that the Director Of Culinary Innovation focuses on creating new culinary concepts and products, often in a corporate or development setting, while the Executive Chef manages daily kitchen operations and food quality in a restaurant or hospitality environment.

More about Director Of Culinary Innovation jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Of Culinary Innovation jobs? Cities with the most Director Of Culinary Innovation job openings:
What states have the most Director Of Culinary Innovation jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Of Culinary Innovation jobs include:
Infographic showing various Director Of Culinary Innovation job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $96,881 per year, or $46.6 per hour.
Director of Culinary Innovation -- Lifestyle

Director of Culinary Innovation -- Lifestyle

Hyatt

Manhattan, NY

Full-time

PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Hyatt Hotels rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 253 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 106 rated hotels


Job description

Hyatt is seeking an enthusiastic Director to join our Lifestyle Group F&B Operations team in New York. The role includes driving culinary excellence and collaborating closely with operations, development, and design teams.

Qualified candidates should have 10-15 years of culinary experience with a minimum of 5 years in an executive role. The position offers comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off and a flexible work schedule.

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About Hyatt

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Hyatt, we believe in the power of belonging and creating a culture of care, where our colleagues become family. Since 1957, our colleagues and our guests have been at the heart of our business and helped Hyatt become one of the best, and fastest-growing hospitality brands in the world. Our transformative growth and the addition of new hotels, brands, and business lines can open the door for exciting career and growth opportunities for our colleagues. As we continue to grow, we never lose sight of what's most important: People. We turn trips into journeys, encounters into experiences, and jobs into careers.

Industry

Hospitality services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1957