ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Food Taster Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Cooper's Hawk

Tasting Room Attendant

Woodbridge, VA · On-site

$13 - $16/hr

With a passion for food, wine, and people, they guide guests through our wines and retail offerings ... Monthly Wine Tastings for Two * Medical, Dental, Vision, and Telehealth * 401k with Company Match

Adecco

Food Product Tester (Part-Time )

Arlington, VA · On-site

$19/hr

Taste and evaluate food and beverage products for appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, and overall sensory attributes. * Participate in sensory training and calibration sessions to ensure consistent ...

Cooper's Hawk

Tasting Room Attendant

Reston, VA · On-site

$13 - $16/hr

With a passion for food, wine, and people, they guide guests through our wines and retail offerings ... Monthly Wine Tastings for Two * Medical, Dental, Vision, and Telehealth * 401k with Company Match

Cooper's Hawk

Tasting Room Attendant

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

$13 - $16/hr

With a passion for food, wine, and people, they guide guests through our wines and retail offerings ... Monthly Wine Tastings for Two * Medical, Dental, Vision, and Telehealth * 401k with Company Match

Cooper's Hawk

Tasting Room Attendant

Richmond, VA · On-site

$13 - $16/hr

With a passion for food, wine, and people, they guide guests through our wines and retail offerings ... Monthly Wine Tastings for Two * Medical, Dental, Vision, and Telehealth * 401k with Company Match

Arby's

Food Service Lead

Rocky Mount, VA · On-site

$14.25 - $19.50/hr

Oversee food preparation and cooking, ensuring that all items meet company standards for taste, quality, portion size, and appearance. * Ensure compliance with all local health codes and food safety ...

New

Stop In

Food Service Cook

Colonial Beach, VA · On-site

$14.25 - $18.50/hr

Ensure that all prepared food meets quality standards in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. * Work efficiently during peak hours to ensure quick turnaround times without sacrificing quality or ...

Burger King

Food Service Cook

Bedford, VA · On-site

$13/hr

Ensure that all prepared food meets quality standards in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. * Work efficiently during peak hours to ensure quick turnaround times without sacrificing quality or ...

Arby's

Food Service Cook

Rocky Mount, VA · On-site

$13/hr

Ensure that all prepared food meets quality standards in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. * Work efficiently during peak hours to ensure quick turnaround times without sacrificing quality or ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsFood Taster JobsFood Taster Jobs in Virginia

Food Taster information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$14

$18

How much do food taster jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for food taster in Virginia is $14.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.44 and $15.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food taster?

Food tasters are professionals who sample food and beverages to evaluate their flavor, texture, appearance, and safety. Their role is crucial in food manufacturing, product development, and quality control to ensure products meet certain standards before reaching consumers. Food tasters may work for restaurants, food companies, or even government agencies. In some cases, they also check for harmful substances or allergens. Their feedback helps improve recipes and maintain consistent product quality.

What does a food taster do?

A food taster is a quality assurance worker whose responsibilities are to test food products for different characteristics, such as appearance, smell, taste, flavor, and quality of the ingredients. Your duties in this career include taking small bites of different products and judging them against specific standards laid out by the manufacturer or cooking department. Some food tasters work full-time as food technicians, scientists, and marketers. Other food tasters are everyday consumers who consult for companies. Many of these consumers work in other fields in the food industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food taster, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Taster, you need a highly developed sense of taste and smell, knowledge of food safety, and sometimes culinary or food science qualifications. Familiarity with sensory evaluation techniques, palate cleansing methods, and sometimes certification from sensory analysis courses are commonly required. Attention to detail, objectivity, and strong communication skills help you deliver reliable feedback and work effectively with product development teams. These skills are vital to ensure the quality, safety, and market appeal of food products.

What are some common challenges faced by food tasters in their daily work?

Food tasters often encounter challenges such as palate fatigue, which can make it difficult to accurately assess flavors after multiple tastings. Maintaining strict hygiene and health standards is crucial, as food safety is a top priority. Additionally, food tasters must remain objective and consistent in their evaluations, even when tasting products that may not align with their personal preferences. Collaboration with product developers and chefs is frequent, requiring clear communication to provide constructive feedback that can guide recipe adjustments.

What is the difference between Food Taster vs Food Critic?

AspectFood TasterFood Critic
CredentialsOften no formal credentials, but some may have culinary trainingJournalism or culinary background, sometimes with certifications
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, food production facilities, or tasting panelsRestaurants, media outlets, or online platforms
Employer & IndustryFood companies, manufacturers, or research labsMedia, newspapers, magazines, or online review sites

Food Tasters focus on evaluating food for quality, safety, and flavor during product development or testing. Food Critics analyze and review restaurants or food products for public audiences, often writing articles or reviews. While both roles involve tasting food, Tasters are more involved in quality control, whereas Critics provide subjective evaluations for consumers.

What qualifications do you need to be a food taster?

Food tasters typically need a good sense of taste and smell, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions precisely. A background in food science, nutrition, or culinary arts can be beneficial, and some positions may require health clearances or certifications. Physical stamina and the ability to work in a controlled environment are also important.
More about Food Taster jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Taster jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Food Taster jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Food Taster jobs in Virginia?

For Food Taster jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Taster jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Taster jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Food Taster jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Food Taster job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Food Taster jobs in VA?

For Food Taster jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Food Taster jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Taster job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 44% Full Time, and 56% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $29,141 per year, or $14 per hour.

Tasting Room Attendant

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants

Henrico, VA • On-site

$13 - $16/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

At Cooper’s Hawk, our Tasting Room Attendants do more than pour wine. They turn each tasting into a meaningful moment through friendly conversation, product knowledge, and genuine hospitality. With a passion for food, wine, and people, they guide guests through our wines and retail offerings while inviting them to become part of our Wine Club community. Every interaction is a chance to deliver an experience guests will remember and want to return to.

Compensation Range: $13.00-16.00/hour

Pay offered is determined by skills, qualifications and experience. 

What You Will Get

  • 50 percent Dining and Carryout Discount; 40 percent Retail Wine Discount; 20 percent Discount on Retail and Private Events
  • Monthly Wine Tastings for Two
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, and Telehealth
  • 401k with Company Match
  • Paid Time Off and Flexible Schedules
  • Early Pay Access
  • Wellness and Mental Health Support
  • Wine and Culinary Education
  • Career Growth Flight Plan
  • Team Member Rewards, Milestone Recognition, and Referral Bonuses

How You Will Succeed

Show Up Ready: Come Prepared, stay sharp, and start strong.

  • Learn our food, wine, and retail offerings so you can confidently guide each guest
  • Prepare your station for service and keep it clean and stocked
  • Study Cooper’s Hawk menu, retail items, and wines that are offered to our guests.

Own What You See: Take Responsibility, jump in, and do what needs to be done.

  • Restock and maintain product displays
  • Support the team with tasks like carryout orders and guest service in other areas when needed

Stay in Sync: Communicate often, move with your team, and keep service flowing.

  • Communicate with team members to deliver smooth and memorable service
  • Follow steps of service and assist in daily operations

Make It Personal: Be genuine, listen well, and tailor each experience.

  • Welcome every guest warmly and answer questions about wine, food, and our Wine Club
  • Proactively build relationships with guests and create memorable moments.
  • Use your knowledge of the Wine Club to invite and inform guests of the perks and benefits of joining our community of members.  

Add a Touch: Go beyond the expected to create memorable moments.

  • Share the story of Cooper’s Hawk and invite guests to join our Wine Club
  • Introduce tastings and special retail items to enrich the guest experience

What You Will Bring

  • At least 21 years of age
  • Experience in restaurants, retail, or wine environments preferred
  • Comfort speaking to guests about wine and the Wine Club
  • A passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences
  • Ability to multitask in a fast paced environment
  • Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 40 pounds
  • Flexible availability including weekends and some holidays

Cooper’s Hawk reviews several factors when establishing compensation. Salaries and hourly wages appearing in a job posting may be published by third parties and may not reflect the salaries or hourly wages offered by Cooper’s Hawk.  

Cooper’s Hawk is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to the person’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Cooper’s Hawk makes reasonable accommodations during all aspects of the employment process, including during the interview process.  

The information provided above indicates the general nature and level of work required of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or qualifications. The Benefits list is only a highlight of some of the benefits offered to team members; eligibility for certain benefits apply. 

About Us

Cooper's Hawk features a Napa-style tasting room with wine-inspired retail for entertaining and a full-service restaurant, bar and private event space, offering a modern-yet-casual dining experience. Each scratch-kitchen menu item is designed to pair with our wines. Speaking of wine...the Cooper's Hawk Wine Club is perhaps the largest in the world, offering not only top-notch award-winning wines but also exclusive Wine Club membership benefits, including curated dining and travel experiences. Since 2005, we've brought the Napa Valley experience to our guests and Wine Club members, and now, with Piccolo Buco by Cooper’s Hawk, we’re bringing the vibrant flavors of Rome to them as well. Together, we’re creating a lifestyle brand like no other.

Apply