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Director Of Culinary Innovation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Life Care Services

Director of Culinary

Minnetonka, MN

$65K - $73K/yr

The Director of Culinary provides full-scope, hands-on management of the Community's Culinary Services Department. Responsible for maintaining a superior level of quality service and cleanliness.

The Waters

Director of Culinary Services

Edina, MN · On-site

$68K - $72K/yr

The Director of Culinary Services will successfully manage in a cost and quality structured environment to meet budgetary and program goals. Our restaurant and cafe function in a similar way to a ...

Modena Cary

Director of Culinary Experience

Cary, NC · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Director of Culinary Experience Love to make a difference in the lives of seniors? At Solera Senior Living, we are guided by our Core Values--Compassion, Communication, Commitment, and Creativity--in ...

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Director Of Culinary Innovation information

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$30K

$96.9K

$214K

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

As of Sep 13, 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?

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.

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Director Of Culinary Innovation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Culinary Innovation job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,881 per year, or $46.6 per hour.

Director of Culinary

Minnetonka, MN

Life Care Services
Health Care and Social Assistance • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Life Care Servicesexternal

$65K - $73K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

When you work at Havenwood of Minnetonka, you have a front-row seat to the amazing life stories of the wisest people on earth. What's more, you are part of an extraordinary company - one that's investing in the future of senior living by investing in you. Don't just do a job. Be part of an extraordinary life!
 
Havenwood of Minnetonka is recruiting for a hospitality focused Director of Culinary Services to join our team! The Director of Culinary provides full-scope, hands-on management of the Community's Culinary Services Department. Responsible for maintaining a superior level of quality service and cleanliness. This person is a key member of the Community's management team adhering to policies and procedures and upholding the Community's mission, philosophy, values and the Company's vision, principles and Hospitality Promises.
 
Salary: $65,000-73,000/year
 
Schedule: Full-time opportunity

Perks of Working at Havenwood of Minnetonka:

  • 401k plan with employer match 
  • Dental Insurance 
  • Health Insurance 
  • Vision Insurance 
  • Life Insurance 
  • Paid Time Off 
  • Daily Pay 
  • Extraordinary Rewards Program
  • Free meal during your shift
  • On-site gym access
  • Free covered parking
Here are a few of the daily responsibilities: 
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive, professional, and upscale culinary services program in order to create and maintain a positive experience for all customers.
  • Supervise the Culinary Services Department. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing and hiring; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees.
  • Research, plan, develop, produce, and serve menu cycle programs that are complaint with required nutritional/dietary criteria as required by local regulations and correctly prepares diets provided per policies procedures.
  • Meet or exceed established budgetary and financial guidelines.
  • Responsible for hands-on, direct cooking, serving and dish washing as necessary.
  • Ensure professional, trained, properly uniformed, and talented staff.
  • Visits residents periodically to evaluate food service such as quality, quantity, temperature, and appearance; and conducts evaluations to make revisions in operations/procedures to promote improved food service.
  • Supports creating a culture where the business decisions made in this position, along with individual employee engagement, drive top-line revenue and occupancy.
Here are a few of the qualifications we need you to have: 
  • Associate or Bachelor's degree (in culinary arts program preferred)
  • Successful completion of recognized food safety course
  • Minimum of five years' experience as executive chef, chef in a hotel, restaurant, club, or other similar employment
  • Minimum of three years' experience in administration and management of food service systems
  • Senior living community experience preferred

If you're an enthusiastic, compassionate, senior care professional who is passionate about hospitality and senior engagement- please apply, we'd love to get to know you!

 
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About Life Care Services

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

s an industry pioneer with more than a half-century of experience, making a difference in the lives of seniors has been our sole focus since day one. At LCS, we’ve designed a dedicated family of companies to help fulfill your community’s mission. This structure allows us to develop and share expertise across our company to deliver innovative solutions to seniors and their communities. We are guided by five principles to ensure that every company decision is made with integrity and for the good of the seniors we serve.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1971

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