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Innovation Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview The Culinary Innovation Chef is responsible for bringing the Nestle Professional Solutions (NPS) portfolio to life through innovative culinary applications, customer-inspired solutions, and ...

Culinary Innovation Chef Mexican, Mediterranean, or Asian Fusion Cuisine Location: New York, NY Employment Type: Full-time (occasional travel required) About the Role We're a growing, flavor-forward ...

Sr Scientist - Innovation Chef

Plano, TX · On-site

$99K - $105K/yr

Your mission is to support and lead portions of the innovation process-from early concept development to testing and validation-by contributing technical expertise, coordinating cross-functional ...

Sr Scientist - Innovation Chef

Plano, TX · On-site

$99K - $105K/yr

Your mission is to support and lead portions of the innovation process-from early concept development to testing and validation-by contributing technical expertise, coordinating cross-functional ...

Sr Scientist - Innovation Chef

Plano, TX · On-site

$99K - $105K/yr

Your mission is to support and lead portions of the innovation process-from early concept development to testing and validation-by contributing technical expertise, coordinating cross-functional ...

Culinary Innovation Chef QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the ...

Executive Chef

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Executive Chef Location: Pittsburgh, PA Salary: $85,000-$95,000 Base + Bonus Eligible (Up to 10%) ... Strong leadership skills with a passion for hospitality, culinary innovation, and maintaining ...

Head Chef

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$86K - $108K/yr

Head Chef Job Location: Santa Ana-USA-92626 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $86,417.73 ... Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are ...

Head Chef

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$86K - $108K/yr

Head Chef Job Location: Santa Ana-USA-92626 Work Location Type: On-Site Salary Range: $86,417.73 ... Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are ...

Innovation Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

Your Job The Innovation Engineer drives the development and application of advanced materials ... At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ...

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Innovation Chef information

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$10

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How much do innovation chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for innovation chef in the United States is $24.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Innovation Chef?

An Innovation Chef is a culinary professional who specializes in developing new recipes, food concepts, and menu items for restaurants, food companies, or hospitality groups. Their role goes beyond traditional cooking; they focus on experimenting with flavors, techniques, and presentation to stay ahead of culinary trends. Innovation Chefs often collaborate with product development teams, test kitchens, and marketing departments to create unique dining experiences and drive business growth. Their creativity and technical expertise help set brands apart in a competitive food industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Innovation Chef?

To thrive as an Innovation Chef, you need advanced culinary expertise, creativity in recipe development, and a background in food science or a culinary degree. Familiarity with modern cooking techniques, kitchen technology, and food safety certifications are typically required. Strong leadership, adaptability, and collaboration skills help drive culinary innovation and inspire teams. These abilities are crucial for developing trendsetting menus, ensuring food quality, and maintaining a competitive edge in the culinary industry.

How does an Innovation Chef typically collaborate with other departments in a restaurant or hospitality group?

An Innovation Chef frequently works alongside culinary, marketing, and operations teams to develop and implement new menu concepts. This role involves close communication with executive chefs, food and beverage managers, and sometimes suppliers to ensure new dishes are feasible, cost-effective, and align with brand standards. Regular tastings, brainstorming sessions, and pilot testing in kitchens are common, allowing for cross-departmental feedback and refinement before full-scale rollout. Effective collaboration is key to ensuring successful adoption of innovative ideas across all locations.

What is the difference between Innovation Chef vs Product Developer?

AspectInnovation ChefProduct Developer
CredentialsTypically culinary or innovation-related certifications, experience in food or product innovationUsually engineering, design, or technical degrees, product management certifications
Work EnvironmentKitchen, R&D labs, innovation workshopsDesign studios, R&D departments, manufacturing settings
Industry UsageFood, beverage, hospitality, consumer goodsTechnology, manufacturing, consumer products
Search & ComparisonOften compared in food innovation contextsMore common in tech and product design fields

The Innovation Chef focuses on developing new culinary concepts and food products, often working in kitchens or R&D labs. In contrast, a Product Developer designs and improves physical or digital products across various industries. While both roles involve innovation and creativity, their specific skills, environments, and industry applications differ significantly.

More about Innovation Chef jobs

What cities are hiring for Innovation Chef jobs?

Cities with the most Innovation Chef job openings:

What states have the most Innovation Chef jobs?

States with the most job openings for Innovation Chef jobs include:

Infographic showing various Innovation Chef job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,225 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Culinary Innovation Chef

Nestle

Solon, OH

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

The Nestle Professional Solutions at Nestle USA leverages its position as the world's largest food and beverage company to bring brands that you enjoy in your home, to other areas of your life such as the workplace, restaurants, hotels, and your neighborhood College or University. Our portfolio of products and solutions includes beloved brands such as Stouffer's, Coffee mate, Nescafe, and Starbucks. With our extensive networks and industry knowledge, we offer unparalleled support and guidance to foodservice operators, ensuring their success in a competitive market. We strive to contribute to a healthier future by providing the finest ingredients and operational knowledge to every type of foodservice operation. The strength of our trusted brands is supported by a team of skilled professionals who are dedicated to deepening their industry experience. Our team of culinary experts and skilled product developers partner closely with foodservice professionals to generate creative, branded food and beverage solutions that address a wide variety of needs. Our employees thrive on opportunities to grow and develop within the food-service industry, ensuring that we are always at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.

 
This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Overview

The Culinary Innovation Chef is responsible for bringing the Nestle Professional Solutions (NPS) portfolio to life through innovative culinary applications, customer-inspired solutions, and exceptional culinary execution. This role serves as a strategic culinary resource supporting both the Marketing and Sales organizations by transforming products into compelling foodservice solutions that drive awareness, trial, customer engagement, and business growth.

The Culinary Innovation Chef partners closely with Sales and Marketing to create meaningful brand experiences, provide culinary expertise, and execute projects that support brand innovation, customer engagement, and commercial objectives.

This is a highly collaborative, hands-on culinary position that combines innovation, culinary operations, event execution, and sales enablement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Culinary Sales & Customer Support

  • Support Sales teams through culinary ideation, menu concept development, customer presentations, and product demonstrations.
  • Develop recipes, tasting menus, and food presentations that help customers understand the value and application of NPS products.
  • Prepare ingredients, coordinate logistics, assemble materials, and manage shipments required for customer meetings and culinary engagements.
  • Partner with sales teams to create compelling culinary stories that align with customer needs and business opportunities.
  • Provide onsite culinary support during customer visits, operator workshops, sales meetings, and strategic account presentations.
  • Act as a culinary subject matter expert, helping translate product features into operator-relevant solutions.

2. Culinary Operations & Onsite Execution

  • Manage culinary inventory, ingredient procurement, and product organization to support projects, meetings, and events.
  • Coordinate product and sample shipments to customers, internal teams, and event locations.
  • Plan and execute elevated food experiences for internal meetings, leadership sessions, customer visits, and cross-functional events.
  • Ensure efficient kitchen operations, food preparation, food safety compliance, and execution excellence.
  • Maintain culinary workspaces, equipment, and supplies to support a high-performing culinary environment.

3. Innovation & Application Development

  • Develop innovative culinary applications that showcase the versatility, performance, and value of the NPS portfolio across foodservice channels.
  • Participate in ideation sessions and innovation workshops, providing culinary leadership and industry expertise.
  • Translate menu trends, operator challenges, and business objectives into relevant food and beverage concepts.
  • Support Marketing and Product Development teams by creating recipes, applications, menu concepts, and culinary content that strengthen brand positioning.
  • Stay current on industry, menu, ingredient, and flavor trends to identify opportunities that support brand growth strategies.

 

4. Event & Brand Experience Support

  • Support the planning and execution of trade shows, industry events, customer showcases, culinary workshops, and internal meetings.
  • Lead culinary preparation activities including menu development, recipe testing, ingredient sourcing, food production, packaging, transportation, and event setup.
  • Execute live demonstrations, tastings, and culinary presentations that highlight NPS brands and capabilities.
  • Collaborate with Marketing to create memorable brand experiences that reinforce key messaging and innovation platforms.
  • Represent Nestle Professional Solutions at industry events, customer engagements, and culinary forums.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of culinary or foodservice experience required.
  • Culinary degree preferred (Culinary Arts, Food & Nutrition, Food Science, or related field).
  • Serve Safe Certification preferred.
  • Experience across multiple foodservice channels preferred.
  • Strong understanding of foodservice operations, menu development, culinary techniques, and food preparation.
  • Experience planning and executing culinary events, demonstrations, and customer presentations.
  • Strong organizational, project management, inventory management, and logistics capabilities.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence diverse audiences.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Ability to travel up to 50%.

#LI-AA1 

NPROACTIVE

It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.
To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestle. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestle seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you'll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestle home.
 

The Nestle Companies are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship. 

Review our applicant privacy notice before applying at https://www.nestlejobs.com/privacy.

Job Requisition: 411041