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Menu Development Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Senior Lifestyle

Executive Chef

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

Ensure all condiments and garnishes that are required are prepared and served with the appropriate foods. * Assist in recipe and menu development. * Coordinate prep for the following day's menu.

Senior Lifestyle

Executive Chef

Oak Brook, IL

$75K - $80K/yr

Ensure all condiments and garnishes that are required are prepared and served with the appropriate foods. * Assist in recipe and menu development. * Coordinate prep for the following day's menu.

Hollywood Casino Joliet

Specialty Cook 2

Joliet, IL

$16.75 - $21.25/hr

Support menu development, tastings, and seasonal rollouts. * Run the pass/expo when assigned, working side by side with FOH leaders. * Uphold HACCP, sanitation, and safety standards while monitoring ...

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 ...

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doco

Events Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$51K - $69K/yr

We're seeking a dynamic Sous Chef who elevates daily kitchen excellence, motivates a high-performing team, and contributes to creative, cost-smart menu development at DO&CO's Chicago, IL kitchen. You ...

Centennial Crafted Beer + Eatery

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K - $67K/yr

Contribute to seasonal specials, menu development, scratch kitchen production, and continuous improvement of kitchen operations * Foster a respectful, professional kitchen culture built on ...

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doco

Events-Centric Sous Chef

Redondo Beach, CA

$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 ...

Columbia Sussex

Task Force Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

Participate in new menu development and culinary innovation initiatives. * Prepare reports and provide recommendations to corporate and property leadership. * Foster a culture of teamwork ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsMenu Development JobsMenu Development Jobs in Illinois

Menu Development information

See Illinois salary details

$48.5K

$104.4K

$168.1K

How much do menu development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for menu development in Illinois is $104,361.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,300.00 and $117,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Menu Development job?

A Menu Development job involves creating, testing, and refining food and beverage menus for restaurants, cafes, or catering businesses. Professionals in this role research food trends, balance flavors, and ensure profitability while maintaining brand identity. They collaborate with chefs, suppliers, and marketing teams to design appealing and cost-effective menu items. Additionally, they may consider dietary restrictions, sustainability, and customer preferences to enhance the dining experience.

What are typical daily responsibilities for someone working in Menu Development?

In a Menu Development role, daily tasks often include researching food trends, developing and testing new recipes, analyzing menu performance data, and collaborating with chefs, nutritionists, and procurement teams. Menu developers may also be responsible for adjusting existing menus to optimize profitability and catering to customer preferences while ensuring quality and consistency. Regular meetings and tastings are part of the job, as is working closely with marketing teams to create visually appealing menu descriptions. This collaborative environment allows you to have a direct impact on both culinary creativity and the business success of the organization.

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

Excelling in Menu Development requires a strong understanding of culinary trends, nutrition, recipe costing, and food safety, often backed by experience in culinary arts or hospitality management. Familiarity with menu engineering software, inventory systems, and culinary certifications such as ServSafe are commonly beneficial. Creativity, collaboration, and attention to detail help professionals design attractive and cost-effective menus that align with brand standards. These skills ensure menus are innovative, profitable, and meet customer and operational needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Menu Development jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Menu Development jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Menu Development jobs in Illinois? For Menu Development jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Menu Development jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Menu Development jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Menu Development jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Menu Development job openings:
Menu Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Menu Development job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $104,361 per year, or $50.2 per hour.
Executive Chef

Executive Chef

Senior Lifestyle

Oak Brook, IL • On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Oversee daily operations of the kitchen and ensure the highest quality food products and service.

  • Prepare meals from standardized recipes and coordinate prep for the following day's menu.

  • Manage and supervise kitchen staff, including scheduling, training, and ensuring adequate coverage.

Senior Lifestyle rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 232 rated social care providers

Job description

Company Description
Do you have HEART? We are looking for individuals who can embrace our mission to purposely brighten and enrich the lives of those we serve with HEART; Hospitality, Excellence, Appreciation, Respect & Teamwork. In this role you will oversee daily operations of the kitchen and ensure the highest quality food products and service at the community.
Job Description
Salary range $75k-$80k
  • Prepare meals from standardized recipes in accordance with order in a timely and attractive manner.
  • Set up food service line and workstations with needed condiments.
  • Ensure all condiments and garnishes that are required are prepared and served with the appropriate foods.
  • Assist in recipe and menu development.
  • Coordinate prep for the following day's menu.
  • Lead a pre-meal meeting with food servers to review detail of daily menu.
  • Assist with training of new kitchen employees.
  • Ensure an adequate number of culinary employees each shift and ensures absences are covered as to not allow coverage holes.
  • Assist with scheduling of employees within the department.
  • Assist with food ordering, monitoring inventory and creating the menu cycle.
  • Keep stock rooms, coolers, and freezers clean and ensure that food supply stocks are rotated and that all perishables are labeled, dated, and stored properly.
  • Maintain kitchen cleanliness and food preparation according to state and local health department code requirements.
  • Keep food waste to a minimum by utilizing food storage and food recycling techniques.
  • Manage and supervise Sous Chefs, Cooks, Lead Cooks, Prep Cooks, and Utility Workers as needed.

Qualifications
  • 3+ years of experience working in a commercial kitchen environment and/or a related certificate or degree from a college or technical school.
  • Associate's Degree in culinary related field is preferred.
  • Serv Safe or other required local, county or state certifications.
  • You are organized and great at communicating with co-workers and residents.
  • You take pride in the quality and presentation of food that you have helped to prepare.
  • You have basic to advanced knowledge of cooking and preparation of meals.
  • You have a thorough understanding of food service techniques and requirements.
  • You have great management skills and a willingness and desire to work harmoniously with all staff members.
  • You have the ability to switch tasks quickly and often.

Additional Information
Senior Lifestyle offers a comprehensive benefits plan to eligible team members including health, dental, vision, retirement benefits, short-term disability, long-term disability, and paid time off. All Senior Lifestyle positions are eligible to use DailyPay, an application that allows you to access your earned but unpaid wages before your next payday. Senior Lifestyle requires that all employees provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination unless exempt due to medical, religious, or personal beliefs. Government requirements or exclusions may apply.

What Senior Lifestyle employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Senior Lifestyle

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Senior Lifestyle is a leading senior living management company that is dedicated to providing exceptional care and enriching experiences for older adults. With a commitment to creating vibrant communities, Senior Lifestyle offers a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. At Senior Lifestyle, residents are at the heart of everything they do. Senior Lifestyle highly trained and compassionate staff provides personalized care, ensuring the physical, emotional, and social well-being of each resident. With a focus on promoting independence and maintaining an active lifestyle, Senior Lifestyle offers a variety of amenities, engaging activities, and wellness programs that cater to the unique needs and preferences of residents.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Northbrook, IL, US

Year founded

1985

Social media

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