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Menu Development Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Home Chef

Menu Strategy Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

This requires involvement in the meal R&D process/planning, supporting the menu development, execution process, and maintenance of menu planning tools and KPI tracking. Detailed Responsibilities Menu ...

Acxion

Culinary R&D Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Translate emerging culinary, consumer, and menu trends into relevant, on-brand concepts for clients ... Deep knowledge of food trends, menu development, and operational execution. * Strong presentation ...

Acxion Foodservice

Culinary R&D Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

... driving menu adoption.RESPONSIBILITIESClient Leadership & Business DevelopmentLead culinary ... development for assigned client accounts, aligning innovation with operator needs and client ...

Khepri Kitchen

Lead Baker

Mount Prospect, IL · On-site

$26 - $29/hr

You'll lead daily bakery production, collaborate on menu development, oversee one baker, and play an important role in catering and special events. We're looking for someone who takes pride in ...

News Bar

Chef

Chicago, IL

$60K - $72K/yr

This includes menu development and execution, food quality, staffing, scheduling, ordering, inventory management, food cost control, sanitation, and team development. This role is ideal for a ...

News Bar

Chef

Chicago, IL

$28.85 - $34.62/hr

This includes menu development and execution, food quality, staffing, scheduling, ordering, inventory management, food cost control, sanitation, and team development. This role is ideal for a ...

Home Chef

Menu Strategy Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

... R&D and various Menu Strategy team tools within Google Workspace • Lead the meal selection process including preparing the data, leading the meeting, and allocating meals to menus • Support ...

SSP Group

Kitchen Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

Bring your creative touch to menu development, maintaining our commitment to quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction. * Drive Financial Success : Manage budgets, control costs, and maximize ...

SSP Group

Kitchen Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

Bring your creative touch to menu development, maintaining our commitment to quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction. * Drive Financial Success : Manage budgets, control costs, and maximize ...

Volcano's Bistro & Bar

Be Seen First

Line Cook

Gary, IN

$15.75 - $19.75/hr

... in menu development and contribute to seasonal specials and promotions. - Monitor inventory levels and help with ordering supplies as needed. **Required Skills and Qualifications:** - Proven ...

Volcano's Bistro & Bar

Be Seen First

Line Cook

Gary, IN

$15.75 - $19.75/hr

... in menu development and contribute to seasonal specials and promotions. - Monitor inventory levels and help with ordering supplies as needed. **Required Skills and Qualifications:** - Proven ...

East Bank Club

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Menu Development & Culinary Innovation: * Lead the creation, development, execution, and ongoing evolution of menus across all Club dining outlets. * Balance innovation, seasonality, wellness, member ...

East Bank Club

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Menu Development & Culinary Innovation: * Lead the creation, development, execution, and ongoing evolution of menus across all Club dining outlets. * Balance innovation, seasonality, wellness, member ...

East Bank Club

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Menu Development & Culinary Innovation: * Lead the creation, development, execution, and ongoing evolution of menus across all Club dining outlets. * Balance innovation, seasonality, wellness, member ...

QUEENSIDE HOSPITALITY LLC

Executive Chef

Matteson, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

The ideal candidate is a strong culinary leader with banquet expertise, menu-development experience, financial knowledge, and the ability to manage multiple kitchen operations in a fast-paced ...

mako

Chef de Cuisine

Chicago, IL

$36 - $42/hr

The ideal candidate will oversee kitchen management, inventory and ordering, while driving seasonal menu development that aligns with our commitment to Michelin-level culinary excellence. Key ...

Invited Clubs

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$51K - $69K/yr

Your responsibilities will include managing day-to-day food production, maintaining high standards, and contributing to menu development, while also adhering to all health and safety regulations.

New

Covenant Living

Sous Chef, Full-Time

Carol Stream, IL · On-site

$51K - $69K/yr

Food Production, Menu Development, and Delivery: * Assist with menu development and implementation including creating daily and weekly specials, updating always available menu when appropriate ...

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All JobsMenu Development JobsMenu Development Jobs in Chicago, IL

Menu Development information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$51.5K

$110.9K

$178.7K

How much do menu development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for menu development in Chicago, IL is $110,944.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,700.00 and $125,200.00 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 Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL? For Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Menu Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Menu Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Menu Development job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,944 per year, or $53.3 per hour.

Menu Strategy Analyst

Home Chef

Chicago, IL • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Home Chef rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

The Menu Strategy Analyst will assist with planning the Home Chef Ecommerce menus. This requires involvement in the meal R&D process/planning, supporting the menu development, execution process, and maintenance of menu planning tools and KPI tracking.

Detailed Responsibilities

Menu Planning

  • Support the balancing and publishing process with tactical inputs in Home Chef systems (e.g. Admin) for Core, Family, and Extras menus
  • Perform ad-hoc analysis requests to identify and implement actionable takeaways for future menus 
  • Collect cross-functional menu requests and ensure execution including but not limited to aging inventory depletions, partnership requests, etc. 
  • Work collaboratively with both menu team and cross functional partners on strategic recommendations for solving menu issues (e.g. over/under food cost, cross functional meeting representative)

Menu Performance Tracking

  • Execute weekly and monthly KPI tracking and analysis of menus - including financial (revenue, food, and margin) metrics and other quantitative (rating) or qualitative (reviews) metrics; this can also include helping track acquisition or marketing promotions
  • Track competitor product offerings and promotions
  • Support development and maintenance of R&D and various Menu Strategy team tools within Google Workspace

R&D Process Planning

  • Lead the meal selection process including preparing the data, leading the meeting, and allocating meals to menus
  • Support weekly recipe ideation process identifying redundancies in concepts and aggregating feedback for discussion
  • Taste and provide feedback on new meals
  • Lead sampling for Extras program - preparing items, tracking results, and communicating next steps with cross-functional partners

General Menu Maintenance

  • Review weekly menus to ensure all products (e.g. meal kits, extras) are merchandised / assigned accurately and meet production guardrails 
  • Execute any ad-hoc menu changes and communicate changes to cross-functional partners
  • Review bank of successful recipes for future menu uses including reviewing ongoing weekly meal performance for bank consideration

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

  • Completion of a four-year degree program in a related field 
  • 2+ years of experience in a rigorous fast-paced work environment
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and initiatives simultaneously with a results-oriented approach
  • Strong Excel/Google sheets experience 
  • Independent self-starter inclined towards finding solutions without significant oversight
  • Passion for food and must be able to taste and provide thorough feedback on every meal and ingredient sample test in the kitchen (includes vegetarian, pork, chicken, steak, and seafood)
More About Us
Perks and Benefits
  • Candidates can experience Home Chef as a customer - enter promo code PEOPLE30 for $30 off your first order!
  • Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance available
  • Paid holidays, sick time and vacation time
  • 401k program
  • Flexible spending accounts for qualified medical, dependent care, parking, or transit expenses
How We Work Together

We are humble team players.
We are warm and gracious with team members and customers. We seek feedback to improve ourselves - and respectfully listen to and accept input.

We are pragmatic next-level thinkers.
We come up with novel and unique ideas. We explore new strategies to avoid being constrained by conventional thinking.

We take ownership.
We approach ambiguous problems, prepared to dive in, get curious, and learn more. We are results-driven, always challenging ourselves to exceed goals.

Be at Home at Home Chef

We all show up authentically at Home Chef. Our team includes individuals with a variety of identities, backgrounds, and perspectives. You can trust that you'll be able to bring your whole self to an inclusive and enjoyable workplace.

We welcome people of all races, colors, religions, national origin or ancestry, sex (including sexual identity), age, physical or mental disabilities, pregnancy, veteran or military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, order of protection status, citizenship status, arrest record or expunged/sealed convictions, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.

Home Chef is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Home Chef will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our People team at hr@homechef.com.

 

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