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Internship Product Development Chef Jobs in Chicago, IL

Winlandfoods

Product Development Intern

Oak Brook, IL · Hybrid

$27.50/hr

May to August 2027 - Summer Internship Job Summary: As an Intern/Coop in Research, Development ... Product renovation which involves modifying existing product attributes to address operational ...

Boar's Head Brand

Culinary Development Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$147K/yr

Additionally, the Culinary Development Chef will be responsible for developing and implementing new food products and foodservice concepts in both manufacturing and retail environments, enabling the ...

Maple

Maple & Ash Chicago - Chef De Cuisine

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Who You Are The R&D Chef is the culinary architect for the brand, bridging the gap between Michelin ... Identify bottlenecks in production and re-engineer workflows to improve speed without sacrificing ...

Koch Industries

Product Manager

Lisle, IL · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Present new Product Development requests including project information provided by the customer and ... At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ...

Koch Industries

Business Development Manager

Lisle, IL · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

Identify market/customer trends, unmet market needs and product opportunities in the Medical Device ... At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ...

Bell Flavors & Fragrances

Research Chef

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and R&D to deliver innovative product concepts in a ... Ideal role for a chef who enjoys hands-on development, customer-facing demonstrations, and bringing ...

Bell Flavors & Fragrances

Research Chef

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and R&D to deliver innovative product concepts in a ... Ideal role for a chef who enjoys hands-on development, customer-facing demonstrations, and bringing ...

Koch Industries

Product Design Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Collaborate closely and directly with customer engineering during product development lifecycle ... At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ...

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Internship Product Development Chef information

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How much do internship product development chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship product development chef in Chicago, IL is $21.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.84 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an internship product development chef?

An Internship Product Development Chef is a culinary intern who assists experienced chefs and food scientists in creating, testing, and refining new food products for restaurants, food companies, or manufacturers. This role typically involves recipe development, food tasting, ingredient sourcing, and quality assurance tasks. Interns in this position gain hands-on experience with the product development process, working closely with cross-functional teams such as marketing and production. The role serves as an entry-level opportunity for culinary students or recent graduates interested in the innovation side of the food industry.

What types of projects or tasks can an internship product development chef expect to work on during their internship?

As an Internship Product Development Chef, you can expect to participate in tasks such as assisting with recipe creation, supporting product trials, conducting taste tests, and documenting results for new menu items or food products. You will often collaborate closely with senior chefs, food scientists, and marketing teams to refine recipes and ensure products meet quality and flavor standards. The internship is typically hands-on and fast-paced, providing exposure to both creative and technical aspects of food innovation. This experience is valuable for learning how culinary ideas are transformed into commercially viable products.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship product development chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Product Development Chef, you need a foundation in culinary techniques, food science, and recipe development, often supported by culinary school coursework or relevant experience. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food safety certifications, and product development tools such as sensory evaluation systems is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong teamwork skills help you excel when collaborating with cross-functional teams and innovating new products. These abilities ensure the creation of safe, appealing, and commercially viable food products that meet both customer expectations and regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Internship Product Development Chef vs Product Development Chef?

AspectInternship Product Development ChefProduct Development Chef
CredentialsRelevant culinary or food science coursework, internship experienceProfessional culinary degree, extensive industry experience
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, entry-levelProfessional kitchen, leadership role, project management
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, restaurants, startups during trainingEstablished food brands, large restaurants, food manufacturing

The Internship Product Development Chef is an entry-level, learning-focused role aimed at gaining experience in food product development. In contrast, the Product Development Chef is a professional, experienced role responsible for creating and managing new food products. The internship provides foundational skills, while the full chef role involves leadership and strategic planning in the food industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Product Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Product Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Internship Product Development Chef jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Internship Product Development Chef job openings:

Internship Product Development Chef jobs near you

R&D Chef Manager - Berkeley Culinary Center

Whitsons Culinary Group

Berkeley, IL

$75K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted yesterday

New

Whitsons Culinary Group rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 60 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 68 rated caterers

Job description

SUMMARY

The R&D Chef Manager serves as a key culinary partner and right hand to the Director of Culinary, Whitsons Culinary Group's Berkeley, IL facility. This role leads day-to-day culinary product development, operational support, and execution of customer samples. The R&D Chef Manager translates culinary vision into production-ready recipes and ensures consistent, high-quality execution from concept through manufacturing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND DUTIES

  • Lead culinary product development - concepting, formulating, testing, and refining recipes from bench-top through kitchen trials to production-ready, scalable formulas, executing the culinary direction of Whitsons
  • Responsible for creating new meals for ALL sectors that we serve (Education, Residential/Senior, Shelters, Food Service, Retail, Transportation)
  • Own execution and quality of customer and sales sample requests, including client tastings and product presentations, as directed.
  • Provide operational support on the plant floor - troubleshooting production issues, scaling recipes, and partnering with QA and Operations to ensure formulas are manufacturable at scale.
  • Serve as a key deputy on culinary initiatives, representing culinary priorities and maintaining project momentum in the absence of their manager.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, QA, Procurement, and Production to move products from concept to launch.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and specifications for formulas, ensuring consistency across trials and production runs.
  • Develop and cost recipes to meet target food cost and margin goals, balancing quality with budget guidelines.
  • Ensure formulas comply with food safety and regulatory requirements (HACCP, FSMA, USDA/FDA), including writing product specifications and nutrition fact panels.
  • Evaluate shelf-life and packaging considerations during recipe development.
  • Source and evaluate ingredients, and build relationships with suppliers and vendors.
  • Track culinary and flavor trends and competitive products, including attending trade shows and food exhibitions, to inform development priorities.
  • Mentor and train junior culinary and kitchen staff.
  • Perform other culinary and operational duties as assigned by the Director of Culinary.

Apply today and help us power a production line that fuels excellence -Enhancing Life One Meal at a Time

This role offers a salary range of $75,000 - $90,000 annually, based on skills, experience, and location. Employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, and time off.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

  • 5-10 years of progressive culinary or restaurant experience.
  • Culinary degree from an accredited culinary program.
  • Experience in food manufacturing and culinary R&D/product development strongly preferred.
  • Working knowledge of recipe scaling, food safety standards, and large-scale production processes.
  • Working knowledge of food safety and regulatory frameworks (HACCP, FSMA, SQF, USDA/FDA labeling requirements).
  • ServSafe or equivalent food handler certification required; HACCP certification a plus.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and timelines concurrently.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to work on-site at the Berkeley, IL facility; occasional travel required for trade shows, supplier visits, or customer sites.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER DETAILS

Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time exempt position. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., with additional hours as needed to meet business demands and production schedules. As an exempt position, it is expected that Team Member will devote whatever time necessary to accomplish the goals and responsibilities. This will often require extended work hours, evening, and/or weekend work.

Travel Requirements:

Periodic travel to production facilities, vendor sites, and industry events may be required.

Physical Demands of the Job:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work is performed primarily in an operational or facilities-based environment, with regular presence in active areas such as kitchens, production spaces, warehouses, loading docks, or administrative areas within the facility. The noise level in the work environment may vary and can range from moderate to occasionally high, depending on location and operational activity.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the Company and employee and is subject to change by the Company as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change. Employee's signature below constitutes an employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position.

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About Whitsons Culinary Group

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Whitsons Culinary Group, located in Islandia, NY, US, operates in the food service industry, offering a diverse range of services including school nutrition, residential and healthcare dining, prepared meals, emergency dining, and culinary education. First established in 1979, the family-owned company has built a reputation for its bespoke catering services, committed to delivering nutritionally balanced, tastefully diverse and quality assured meals. The company embraces a mission to enrich life one meal at a time, underlined by a focus on food quality, health, wellness, superior service, and social responsibility.

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Islandia, NY, US

Year founded

1979

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