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Product Development Chef Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Executive Chef

Matteson, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

The Executive Chef will oversee multiple Food & Beverage concepts, including the Applebee's kitchen ... Strong menu-development and culinary-production skills. * Experience with food costing, purchasing ...

Sous Chef - Lyra

Chicago, IL

$51K - $69K/yr

Sous Chefs are responsible for providing supportive leadership to kitchen staff throughout food ... development and maintenance of recipe books prescribing ingredients, product specifications, and ...

Banquet Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Collaborate with the Executive Chef to ensure meal production aligns with event needs and high ... Lead employee training, development, advancement, and promotion efforts, with input from the of ...

Collaborate with the Executive Chef to ensure meal production aligns with event needs and high ... Lead employee training, development, advancement, and promotion efforts, with input from the of ...

Collaborate with the Executive Chef to ensure meal production aligns with event needs and high ... Lead employee training, development, advancement, and promotion efforts, with input from the of ...

Sous Chef - NAIA

Chicago, IL

$51K - $69K/yr

Sous Chefs are responsible for providing supportive leadership to kitchen staff throughout food ... development and maintenance of recipe books prescribing ingredients, product specifications, and ...

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$51K - $69K/yr

... a Sous Chef, you are responsible for supporting the daily operations of the kitchen. You will ... food production, maintaining high standards, and contributing to menu development, while also ...

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL

$51K - $69K/yr

Job Summary As a Sous Chef, you are responsible for supporting the daily operations of the kitchen ... food production, maintaining high standards, and contributing to menu development, while also ...

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Job Summary As a Sous Chef, you are responsible for supporting the daily operations of the kitchen ... food production, maintaining high standards, and contributing to menu development, while also ...

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Five years of progressive food service production management experience * Previous multi-unit ...

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Five years of progressive food service production management experience * Previous multi-unit ...

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL · On-site

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Five years of progressive food service production management experience * Previous multi-unit ...

Event Chef

Chicago, IL

$60K - $70K/yr

Manage event-specific mise en place, station readiness, product rotation, and kitchen organization ... Support menu development for private events, tastings, and custom guest requests as directed by the ...

Sous Chef

Valparaiso, IN · On-site

$42K - $57K/yr

Supervises culinary staff regarding product quality, portion, cost controls, scheduling, and ... Assists with menu planning and development and ordering of food supplies * Prepare and cook meals ...

New

Sous Chef

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Supervises culinary staff regarding product quality, portion, cost controls, scheduling, and ... Assists with menu planning and development and ordering of food supplies * Prepare and cook meals ...

REGIONAL CHEF

Chicago, IL

$114K - $124K/yr

You will be responsible for the research, testing, development, documenting, training, implementing ... Five years of progressive food service production management experience * Previous multi-unit ...

Sous Chef

Valparaiso, IN · On-site

$42K - $57K/yr

Supervises culinary staff regarding product quality, portion, cost controls, scheduling, and ... Assists with menu planning and development and ordering of food supplies * Prepare and cook meals ...

Sous Chef

Libertyville, IL

$48K - $65K/yr

Supervises culinary staff regarding product quality, portion, cost controls, scheduling, and ... Assists with menu planning and development and ordering of food supplies * Prepare and cook meals ...

Sous Chef

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Supervises culinary staff regarding product quality, portion, cost controls, scheduling, and ... Assists with menu planning and development and ordering of food supplies * Prepare and cook meals ...

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$63K - $78K/yr

Team Development: Support and develop the culinary team through hands‑on training, coaching ... Solid understanding of kitchen operations, including production flow, ordering, inventory, and cost ...

Showing results 21-40

Product Development Chef information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$43.8K

$130.8K

$148.9K

How much do product development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development chef in Chicago, IL is $130,816.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,000.00 and $147,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a product development chef do?

A Product Development Chef creates and tests new food products for restaurants, food manufacturers, or retail brands. They blend culinary creativity with market trends, ensuring products are innovative, scalable, and cost-effective. Their work involves recipe development, ingredient sourcing, and collaboration with food scientists and marketing teams. Ultimately, they help bring new and exciting food concepts from the kitchen to consumers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a product development chef?

To excel as a Product Development Chef, you need extensive culinary expertise, menu innovation experience, and knowledge of food science or nutrition, often supported by a culinary degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with recipe development software, product testing equipment, and compliance with food safety regulations like HACCP is valuable. Strong creativity, collaboration, and project management skills help you work effectively with cross-functional teams and adapt to market trends. These competencies are critical to creating successful new food products that align with business goals and consumer demands.

What does a typical day look like for a product development chef?

A Product Development Chef’s typical day involves collaborating with R&D, marketing, and production teams to brainstorm and refine new recipes or food products. You'll spend time in both the test kitchen, experimenting with ingredients and techniques, and in meetings to discuss market trends, feasibility, and scalability. The role often requires tasting, adjusting recipes, ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and documenting formulations for commercialization. It’s a dynamic environment that combines creativity with technical precision, making each day varied and engaging.

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 are popular job titles related to Product Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL? For Product Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Product Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Product Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Product Development Chef job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,816 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Executive Chef

QUEENSIDE HOSPITALITY LLC

Matteson, IL • On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Competitive salary
  • Employee discounts
  • Paid time off

Property: Delta Hotels Matteson Chicago & Fairfield Inn & Suites Matteson Chicago
Managed By: Garnet Hotels
Department: Food & Beverage
Reports To: Complex Director of Hotel Operations
Salary Range: based on experience
Position Summary
Garnet Hotels is seeking an experienced, innovative, and hands-on Executive Chef to lead culinary operations at our dual-brand Marriott property in Matteson, Illinois.
The Executive Chef will oversee multiple Food & Beverage concepts, including the Applebee’s kitchen, Delta Hotels café, in-room dining, banquet and catering operations, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites breakfast program.
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 environment.
Key Responsibilities
  •  Direct culinary operations for Applebee’s, the Delta Hotels café, in-room dining, banquets, catering, and Fairfield Inn & Suites breakfast. 
  •  Recruit, train, coach, schedule, and develop culinary associates. 
  •  Maintain high standards for food quality, presentation, consistency, and portion control. 
  •  Develop profitable menus, banquet offerings, specials, and catering packages where permitted by brand standards. 
  •  Ensure compliance with Applebee’s recipes and operational requirements. 
  •  Oversee culinary execution for meetings, weddings, corporate events, and social functions. 
  •  Create standardized recipes, preparation methods, and production procedures. 
  •  Manage purchasing, receiving, inventory, and vendor relationships. 
  •  Control food costs, labor expenses, waste, and kitchen operating costs. 
  •  Develop staffing and production plans based on business demand. 
  •  Maintain food-safety, sanitation, HACCP, and ServSafe standards. 
  •  Ensure compliance with applicable health and safety regulations. 
  •  Partner with Food & Beverage and hotel leadership to improve guest satisfaction, revenue, and operational efficiency. 
  •  Coordinate kitchen-equipment maintenance with the Engineering Department. 
  •  Promote a positive, respectful, and accountable workplace culture. 
Qualifications
  •  Minimum five years of experience as an Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or comparable culinary leader. 
  •  Experience in a full-service hotel, upscale restaurant, resort, or similar hospitality environment. 
  •  Proven banquet and catering experience. 
  •  Strong menu-development and culinary-production skills. 
  •  Experience with food costing, purchasing, inventory, budgeting, and labor control. 
  •  Thorough knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP procedures. 
  •  ServSafe Manager certification or ability to obtain it immediately upon hire. 
  •  Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and organizational skills. 
  •  Ability to manage multiple kitchen operations simultaneously. 
  •  Availability to work mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events. 
Preferred Experience
  •  Marriott-branded hotel experience 
  •  Applebee’s or franchised-restaurant experience 
  •  New hotel or restaurant opening experience 
  •  Multi-outlet culinary leadership experience 
  •  Culinary degree or equivalent professional training 
Physical Requirements
  •  Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. 
  •  Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. 
  •  Ability to work in hot kitchen environments. 
  •  Frequent bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting. 
Benefits
  •  Annual salary based on experience
  •  Paid Time Off 
  •  Marriott hotel associate travel discounts, subject to eligibility 
  •  Professional-development and advancement opportunities 
  •  Supportive and collaborative leadership environment 
Equal Employment Opportunity
Garnet Hotels is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs without regard to any status protected by applicable law.