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Menu Development Chef Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Covenant Living

Sous Chef, Full-Time

Carol Stream, IL · On-site

$51K - $69K/yr

Assists the Executive Chef in all phases of planning, ordering, inventory, and food preparation ... Food Production, Menu Development, and Delivery: * Assist with menu development and implementation ...

Gecko Hospitality

Banquet Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$80K - $90K/yr

Collaborate with the Executive Chef and Banquet Chef on menu development, seasonal offerings, and custom requests for events. * Lead, train, and mentor kitchen staff, building a skilled and motivated ...

Gunny's Pub

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Support menu development, recipe testing, menu costing, and planning as assigned by the Executive Chef. * Prepare, cook, and plate menu items according to recipes, portions, timing, and presentation ...

Class Act

Chef Tournant

Chicago, IL

$50K - $55K/yr

THE ROLE The Chef de Tournant role will be focused on prep work and supporting menu research and development. The Chef de Tournant will be mentored by Chef Nicolai. The individual will work closely ...

Hawksmoor - Chicago

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$75K - $80K/yr

Sous Chef - Hawksmoor Chicago Chicago is the historical powerhouse of American beef, and when ... Taking part in menu development and tastings * Efficiency of services/kitchen * Product and service ...

Hawksmoor

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

Sous Chef - Hawksmoor Chicago Chicago is the historical powerhouse of American beef, and when ... Taking part in menu development and tastings * Efficiency of services/kitchen * Product and service ...

Omakase Shoji & Izakaya

Sushi Chef

Chicago, IL

$65K - $70K/yr

Support seasonal menu development, specials, and omakase offerings when needed. * Engage with guests professionally when working at the sushi counter. * Follow direction from the chef and management ...

Woman's Athletic Club

Pastry Chef

Chicago, IL

$75K - $85K/yr

Position Overview The Pastry Chef is responsible for the daily operation of the pastry department, including production, menu development, quality control, inventory management, and maintaining the ...

DineAmic Hospitality

Executive Chef - NAIA

Chicago, IL

$73K - $101K/yr

While not primarily responsible for menu development, the Executive Chef collaborates with Corporate Culinary Leadership and Operations teams by providing feedback, participating in menu evolution ...

Goodwin Recruiting

Chef De Cuisine

Chicago, IL

$90K - $110K/yr

Chef de Cuisine Downtown Chicago Salary & Benefits * Salary: $90,000-$110,000 annually, based on ... This individual will play a key role in menu development, execution of à la carte dining, private ...

DO & CO

Events-Centric Sous Chef

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Support the Executive Chef with proposal development, creative menu concepts, food cost control, operational reporting, and team scheduling. * Optimize staffing coverage & travel to DO&CO catered ...

doco

Events-Centric Sous Chef

New York, NY

$80K - $100K/yr

Support the Executive Chef with proposal development, creative menu concepts, food cost control, operational reporting, and team scheduling. * Optimize staffing coverage & travel to DO&CO catered ...

doco

Events-Centric Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$80K - $100K/yr

Support the Executive Chef with proposal development, creative menu concepts, food cost control, operational reporting, and team scheduling. * Optimize staffing coverage & travel to DO&CO catered ...

Home Chef

Menu Strategy Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

Home Chef is a company focused on culinary strategy and ecommerce, currently seeking a Menu ... R&D and various Menu Strategy team tools within Google Workspace • Lead the meal selection ...

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All JobsMenu Development Chef JobsMenu Development Chef Jobs in Illinois

Menu Development Chef information

See Illinois salary details

$27.6K

$62K

$92.1K

How much do menu development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for menu development chef in Illinois is $62,012.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $72,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Menu Development Chef do?

A Menu Development Chef is responsible for creating and refining restaurant or food service menus. They research food trends, develop new recipes, and ensure dishes meet quality, cost, and customer preference standards. Their role involves collaborating with kitchen staff, sourcing ingredients, and balancing creativity with operational feasibility. They may also consider dietary restrictions, sustainability, and market demands to craft appealing menus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Menu Development Chef position, and why are they important?

A Menu Development Chef needs a strong background in culinary arts, menu planning, and food safety, typically supported by formal culinary education or significant industry experience. Proficiency with recipe costing software, inventory management systems, and HACCP certification are often required. Creativity, adaptability, and excellent collaboration skills help chefs stand out in this role. These qualifications ensure the chef can design innovative yet practical menus that meet customer preferences, operational needs, and budget goals.

What are some typical daily responsibilities of a Menu Development Chef?

A Menu Development Chef typically spends their days designing and testing new recipes, evaluating food costs, and sourcing high-quality ingredients. They often collaborate closely with kitchen staff, suppliers, and management to ensure new menu items align with the restaurant's brand and cost targets. The role also involves staying up-to-date with culinary trends and conducting staff training on new dishes. This balance of creative experimentation and operational planning makes for a dynamic and rewarding workday.

What are popular job titles related to Menu Development Chef jobs in Illinois? For Menu Development Chef jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Menu Development Chef jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Menu Development Chef jobs in Illinois are:
Menu Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Menu Development Chef job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,012 per year, or $29.8 per hour.
Sous Chef, Full-Time

Sous Chef, Full-Time

Covenant Living

Carol Stream, IL • On-site

$51K - $69K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Covenant Living rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

We Are Inspired to Serve. Join us!
Oversee daily culinary operations and supervise production of daily specials while delegating tasks, spot-checking product for quality, and assisting on the line during peak service times. Assists the Executive Chef in all phases of planning, ordering, inventory, and food preparation. Assumes full responsibility of all culinary operations in the absence of the Executive Chef.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Food Production, Menu Development, and Delivery:
  • Assist with menu development and implementation including creating daily and weekly specials, updating always available menu when appropriate, creating special event menus, such as for catering menus and holiday parties.
  • Ensures that high quality food items are creatively prepared and presented.
  • Ensures efficient, cost-effective operation and profitability of food production.
  • Consistently maintains and checks standards for quality, cost, eye appeal and flavor.
  • Monitor holding and storage operations, stocking and food rotation, and guarantee food service sanitation standards are met.
  • Supports the management of cost controls and control expenditures for the kitchen as well as procurement of kitchen equipment and supplies with guidance from Executive Chef.
  • Resourcefully solve any issues that arise and seize control of any problematic situation.
  • Prepares and serves foods for therapeutic diets according to planned menus.
  • Assists in serving meals, following member's diet and food preferences using proper portion sizes.
  • Participates actively in planning/preparing special occasions and theme meal days.
  • Assists in the preparation, portioning, garnishing, presentation, and safe storage of food.
  • Estimates food consumption to purchase the appropriate amount of ingredients for preparation and provides recipe standards for each meal.

Mentoring Staff:
  • Acts as liaison between Executive chef and all back of house employees including sous chefs, lead cooks, line cooks, dishwashers, and dietary aides.
  • Conduct pre and post shift walkthroughs with staff to identify compliance with station management, cleanliness and organization, proper inventory levels.
  • Assist with enforcement of all food safety policies and procedures.

Kitchen Compliance and Sanitation:
  • Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and policies and procedures (e.g., HACCP, quality assurance, safety, operations, ServSafe, personnel).
  • Establishes a safe work environment for employees by providing safety-related training and equipment maintenance and by ensuring compliance with safety and loss prevention programs and with standards.
  • Understands, complies, and promotes all policies regarding residents' rights.
  • Follows procedures regarding cleaners or hazardous materials or objects, and fire safety. Promptly reports any hazardous conditions, equipment, accidents, and incidents.
  • Follows the most current sanitation and food safety procedures including personal hygiene, monitoring and documentation of temperatures, and food storage including labeling and dating.
  • Ensures proper storage of foods and supplies and adherence to daily, weekly, and monthly scheduled cleaning and sanitation tasks.
  • Ensures that kitchen, equipment, and storage facilities are sanitary, neat, and organized.
  • Attends in-services as required by corporate, state, and federal mandates.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
Required Degree: High school diploma
Preferred Degree: Culinary Arts Degree
Certificate(s):
  • Required to have current and approved sanitation certification or obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
  • Safe Food Handling certification.

Experience:
  • Minimum of three years lead experience as a Sous Chef or equivalent role at a high-volume restaurant.
  • 5+ years' experience managing high volume and fast paced commercial kitchens.
  • 3 + years' experience cooking experience in a fine dining environment and experience in a culinary leadership role preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:
  • Proficiency in a wide variety of kitchen stations, positions, cooking methods, ingredients, equipment, and procedures.
  • Advanced knife skills.
  • Inventory ordering and waste management skills.
  • Proficient in recipe production.
  • Proficient in multiple stations (Sauté, grill, salad, fry)
  • Ability to not only think on feet but also create, produce, and deliver excellent products on the fly.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of current culinary/market trends and creative food presentation.
  • Must be highly organized and proficient in time management.
  • Proficiency with computers, online purchasing, and inventory management, creating spreadsheets, checklists for cleaning, par level and food inventory.
  • Excellent record of kitchen and staff management / lead responsibilities.
  • Must have skill calculating figures and amounts and performing mathematical functions to meet business needs.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with managers, kitchen and dining room staff and guests.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • May be required to lift or carry equipment or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Standing for extended periods of time, sitting, twisting, bending, squatting, kneeling, or crouching while assisting others.
  • Ability to work in a kitchen environment.
  • Attention to detail and manual dexterity.
  • Withstand exposure to temperature and humidity changes as in entering refrigerated storage area and working at ovens, ranges, dish-washing machines, and steam tables.
  • May be exposed to unpleasant conditions and/or at risk of exposure to accident, infection, and/or blood-borne pathogens.

#Dining
Compensation Pay Range:
$24.84 - $33.84 per hour
Reasonable Pay Estimate
A reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position is $24.84 - $33.84 per hour. There are numerous factors taken into consideration in determining the actual offered rate of pay, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, experience, skills, education, geographic location, and consideration of internal and external equity.
For full time employees, we offer a generous benefits package that includes:
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Employer paid group term life and disability
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) & six paid holidays
  • 403(b) with a 3% employer match
  • Fitness center use at most facilities.
  • Various voluntary benefits:
    • Life, AD&D
    • Tuition assistance and scholarships
    • Employee assistance program
    • Legal services, home/auto insurance, discount purchasing program
    • Pet Insurance

For more information about Covenant Living and CovenantCare at Home, please visit www.covliving.org or www.covenantcareathome.org.
Covenant Living and CovenantCare Home Health and Hospice are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by local laws, regulations, or ordinances.

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