ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Internship Culinary Research Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kettle Cuisine

Culinary R&D Specialist

Lynn, MA · On-site

$36K - $48K/yr

Job SummaryThe Culinary R&D Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

KETTLE CUISINE LLC

Culinary R&D Specialist

Lynn, MA · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

JOB SUMMARY The Culinary R&D Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

KETTLE CUISINE LLC

Culinary R&D Specialist

Lynn, MA

$36K - $48K/yr

JOB SUMMARY The Culinary R&D Specialist plays a crucial role in supporting research and development chefs in creating innovative products. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean and organized ...

Acxion

Culinary R&D Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE We're seeking a highly creative, client-facing, and commercially minded Culinary R&D Manager to join our culinary innovation team. This role sits at the intersection of culinary ...

Acxion Foodservice

Culinary R&D Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

ABOUT THE ROLEWe're seeking a highly creative, client-facing, and commercially minded Culinary R&D Manager to join our culinary innovation team. This role sits at the intersection of culinary ...

Del Taco

R&D Associate Manager

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$89K - $110K/yr

Director of Culinary Research & Development SALARY RANGE : $89,000 - $110,000 / Annual Position Summary: Seeking an innovative product developer with a growth mindset and a desire to create and ...

Del Taco, LLC

R&D Associate Manager

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$89K - $110K/yr

Director of Culinary Research & Development SALARY RANGE : $89,000 - $110,000 / Annual Position Summary: Seeking an innovative product developer with a growth mindset and a desire to create and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsInternship Culinary Research Development Jobs

Internship Culinary Research Development information

See salary details

$2.1K

$6.4K

$7.8K

How much do internship culinary research development jobs pay per month?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average monthly pay for internship culinary research development in the United States is $6,439.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $4,416.67 and $7,666.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Culinary Research Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Culinary Research Development professional, you need a strong foundation in culinary techniques, food science, and recipe formulation, typically supported by culinary school coursework or a related degree. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food safety regulations, and software for recipe management or nutritional analysis is important. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for developing innovative recipes and collaborating with chefs and product developers. These skills ensure the creation of safe, high-quality, and marketable food products in a dynamic culinary environment.

What is the difference between Internship Culinary Research Development vs Culinary Research Associate?

AspectInternship Culinary Research DevelopmentCulinary Research Associate
CredentialsEnrolled in culinary or food science programs, some certificationsBachelor's degree in food science, culinary arts, or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, temporaryFull-time, professional research labs or R&D departments
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, culinary labs, internships for studentsFood manufacturing, product development, research institutions
Search & Comparison IntentEntry-level, learning roles, internshipsEntry to mid-level research roles, professional positions

In summary, Internship Culinary Research Development is an entry-level, learning-focused position typically held by students or those new to the industry. In contrast, a Culinary Research Associate is a full-time professional role requiring relevant degrees and experience, working in established research environments.

What is an Internship in Culinary Research and Development?

An Internship in Culinary Research and Development is a hands-on training opportunity where students or recent graduates work with professional chefs, food scientists, or product developers to create and improve food products. Interns gain practical experience in recipe formulation, sensory testing, ingredient sourcing, and sometimes even food safety protocols. This role is ideal for those interested in the intersection of culinary arts and food innovation, and it provides valuable exposure to the process of bringing new food products from concept to market.

What types of projects or tasks can I expect to work on as an intern in Culinary Research and Development?

As an intern in Culinary Research and Development, you can expect to assist with recipe testing, ingredient sourcing, sensory evaluations, and prototype development for new menu items or food products. You'll likely collaborate closely with chefs, food scientists, and marketing teams to support the creation and refinement of innovative dishes. Interns often help document results, maintain kitchen organization, and may participate in brainstorming sessions or presentations. This hands-on role is fast-paced and offers valuable exposure to both culinary techniques and the business side of food innovation.
More about Internship Culinary Research Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Culinary Research Development jobs? Cities with the most Internship Culinary Research Development job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary Research Development jobs? The most popular types of Culinary Research Development jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Culinary Research Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Culinary Research Development jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Internship Culinary Research Development jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Internship Culinary Research Development jobs are:
Internship Culinary Research Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Culinary Research Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,274 per year, or $37.2 per hour.
Culinary R&D Chef/Quality Assurance Lead

Culinary R&D Chef/Quality Assurance Lead

Wow Bao

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Join Wow Bao in this newly created role as the Culinary R&D and Quality Assurance Lead in Chicago, IL. You'll work closely with the VP of Culinary to test and perfect new menu items while refining existing products to meet our high standards for taste, quality, safety, and scalability. This role combines culinary expertise with food science, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration to support product commercialization and continuous improvement initiatives.
The Culinary R&D and Quality Assurance Lead will report to the Vice President of Culinary. The position is on-site five days a week, with overnight travel to our facility and co-packers. Our Chicago office is in the River North neighborhood.
If you strive in a fast-paced environment, love bringing ideas to life, and want to make an impact on a growing brand, this is a unique opportunity to lead and create!
Innovative. Fast Pace. Growth.
At Wow Bao, we believe food should be bold, exciting, and anything but ordinary. We're on a mission to reinvent the Asian Street Food experience-bringing inventive flavors and high-quality ingredients to every bite.
As the fastest-growing Frozen Asian Snack brand in the U.S., Wow Bao achieved over 370% retail sales growth in 2024, and our products are now available in 16,000+ grocery stores nationwide thanks to strong partnerships with leading retailers.
Our journey began in 2003 with the opening of our first restaurant, and today Wow Bao is a thriving omni-channel brand with a presence in Chicago restaurants, airports, virtual kitchens, and universities. We continue to expand across all verticals-including foodservice, retail, and corporate operations.
Wow Bao is proud to be the only brand recognized three times by Fast Casual magazine as a Top 100 Movers & Shakers-earning the #1 spot in both 2019 and 2022, and #4 in 2023. This recognition reflects our commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence in what we do.
Join us and be part of a team that's transforming the way the world experiences Asian cuisine-one bao at a time.
We foster a culture of caring.
Whether it's our guests or our employees, we put people first. We strive to inspire, to motivate, and to appreciate one another every day. We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor. We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: (Other duties will be assigned as needed)
CULINARY RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
  • Participate in R&D projects in collaboration with the Vice President of Culinary to design, develop and test new recipes and food products that align with Wow Bao's brand identity.
  • Lead new menu product development, cost optimization, and creation of formulas, recipes, and applications.
  • Translate culinary concepts into scalable manufacturing processes while maintaining flavor integrity.
  • Monitor food industry trends and consumer preferences to inform product pipeline.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g. procurement, operations, supply chain, quality assurance, and marketing) to ensure successful product launches.
  • Standardize recipes, including documentation of ingredients, preparation methods, and portioning.
  • Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, nutrition guidelines, and company standards.
  • Analyze cost structures and optimize recipes to meet budget and margin targets.
  • Manage kitchen trials, pilot runs, and product scale-up activities.

QUALITY ASSURANCE
  • Collaborate with the team on daily operations focused on process improvements, while approving the taste, texture, size, and shape of all products to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure all products meet food safety, regulatory, and company quality standards.
  • Work with team to address product defects, implement corrective actions, and ensuring continuous improvement in product quality.
  • Partner with Operations to optimize production workflow, and capacity planning to optimize efficiency and meet demand.
  • Maintain accurate records of recipes, formulations, and testing results for compliance and reproducibility.
  • Provide culinary guidance and training to the production team on existing and new product launches.
  • Promote a positive work culture, providing guidance and motivation to employees while ensuring that they understand and follow goals and standards.
  • Ensure all products are manufactured in accordance with company specifications, quality standards, and food safety regulations (UDSA, FDA, HACCP, and GMP).
  • Champion plant safety efforts, ensuring that all safety policies and procedures are followed to maintain a safe working environment.
  • Collaborate with the team for continuous improvements in lean manufacturing practices to increase plant efficiency and reduce waste.

REQUIREMENTS:
  • 5+ years of progressive experience in culinary R&D, quality assurance, food manufacturing, test kitchen, corporate chef or large-scale food service operations.
  • Bachelor's degree in food science, culinary arts or equivalent professional training preferred.
  • Strong knowledge of food science, flavor development, and manufacturing processes.
  • Passion for culinary innovation and ability to balance creativity with operational feasibility.
  • Strong understanding of food safety regulations (USDA, FDA), quality standards (HACCP, GMP) and manufacturing processes.
  • Ability to generate and implement creative culinary solutions.
  • Ensures accuracy in recipes, processes, and documentation.
  • Overnight travel is required to our facility in Forest City, North Carolina as well as to our co-packer facilities.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
  • Must be able to navigate all areas of the production facility
  • Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting to 50 pounds at a time.
  • Ability to work in various environments including cold environments for extended periods.
  • Tolerance for exposure to kitchen conditions, including heat, cold environments, noise, and sharp equipment.

Compensation for this position is between $90,000.00 to $100,000.00 per year.
Wow Bao is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Benefits
  • Competitive salary
  • Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Voluntary Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability
  • Domestic Partner Benefits
  • Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
  • Restaurant Discounts
  • Employee Discount Programs
  • We foster a culture of CARE

Apply