1

Professional Taste Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Supervisor Food Services

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$19.78 - $28.12/hr

Supervises all merchandising, temperature and taste testing of all food items records results ... Professional Experience Requirements: • Two (2) years food service experience Knowledge/Skills ...

Kitchen Manager

Cary, NC

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Ensures food quality by completing thorough line checks and tasting/testing food on a consistent ... Build and maintain the morale of the kitchen team by maintaining a respectful and professional ...

Kitchen Manager

Hutto, TX

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Ensures food quality by completing thorough line checks and tasting/testing food on a consistent ... Build and maintain the morale of the kitchen team by maintaining a respectful and professional ...

Ensure restaurant food quality by completing thorough line checks and tasting/testing food on a ... Professionalism: Reacts well under pressure; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Treats others ...

Kitchen Manager

Forney, TX

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Ensures food quality by completing thorough line checks and tasting/testing food on a consistent ... Build and maintain the morale of the kitchen team by maintaining a respectful and professional ...

Kitchen Manager

Forney, TX · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Ensures food quality by completing thorough line checks and tasting/testing food on a consistent ... Build and maintain the morale of the kitchen team by maintaining a respectful and professional ...

... professional wine tasting experiences. * Conduct Wine Tastings while educating guests on the ... Keep wine testing area clean and organized * Work in a fast-paced environment with high guest ...

Executive Chef

Detroit, MI

$76K - $84K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Lead tasting, testing, and R&D processes to ensure dishes meet the highest standards of flavor ... Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and excellence. * Mentor sous chefs and key ...

Lead tasting, testing, and R&D processes to ensure dishes meet the highest standards of flavor ... Maintain a clean, organized, and professional kitchen environment at all times.

Champion the departmental wellness initiative by participating in taste-testing; contributing to ... Nearly 29,000 healthcare professionals, researchers, and educators work in the UW Medicine family ...

Kitchen Lead

Ann Arbor, MI

$17 - $21.50/hr

Lead recipe testing, plating standards, and staff tastings to ensure consistency and quality ... Model professionalism and positivity in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. * Foster a culture ...

Showing results 41-60

Professional Taste Tester information

See salary details

$10

$38

$62

How much do professional taste tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional taste tester in the United States is $38.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.39 and $50.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a professional taste tester do?

A professional taste tester assesses the flavor, texture, aroma, color, and other qualities of food products. In this career, you eat food items from manufacturers, restaurant chains, or other food producers. You then judge them on specific traits. Your responsibilities include scoring each food item in these particular areas and explaining the basis for your opinion. A professional food taster can be a professionally trained culinary expert with a well-developed palate or a consumer who works for market research panels on a part-time basis. In both jobs, your duties include tasting products and documenting your opinions orally or in writing.

What does a typical day look like for a professional taste tester, and how do they interact with other team members?

A typical day for a Professional Taste Tester involves evaluating a variety of food or beverage samples, recording detailed sensory notes, and providing feedback on taste, texture, aroma, and appearance. Taste testers often work closely with product developers, chefs, and quality assurance teams to refine recipes and ensure consistency. Collaboration is key, as testers participate in group tasting panels and discussions to compare impressions and reach consensus on product quality. The environment is usually a lab or test kitchen with controlled tasting conditions to ensure unbiased results.

What is the difference between Professional Taste Tester vs Food Quality Analyst?

AspectProfessional Taste TesterFood Quality Analyst
Required CredentialsSensory training, palate training, sometimes certifications in food scienceFood science or technology degree, certifications in quality assurance
Work EnvironmentFood testing labs, manufacturing facilities, tasting panelsQuality control labs, manufacturing plants, food production facilities
Employer & Industry UsageFood companies, flavor houses, research labsFood manufacturing, quality assurance departments, regulatory agencies

While both roles involve evaluating food products, a Professional Taste Tester primarily focuses on sensory evaluation and flavor profiling, often working in tasting panels. A Food Quality Analyst emphasizes assessing food safety, quality standards, and compliance through scientific testing and analysis. Both roles require knowledge of food science but differ in their focus and daily tasks.

What is a professional taste tester?

Professional Taste Testers are individuals who evaluate the flavor, texture, aroma, and overall quality of foods and beverages, often working for food manufacturers, restaurants, or research organizations. Their feedback helps companies improve products, ensure consistency, and develop new recipes. Taste testers may specialize in certain products, such as chocolate, wine, or coffee, and use their sensory skills to detect subtle differences in taste and quality. This role often requires a refined palate, attention to detail, and sometimes formal training in sensory analysis. Professional Taste Testers play a crucial role in food safety and product development.

How much money do professional taste testers make?

Professional taste testers typically earn between $20,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and whether they work full-time or part-time. Some may receive additional benefits or bonuses, especially if working for large food or beverage companies, and the job often requires sensory evaluation skills and attention to detail.

Can you get paid for taste testing?

Professional taste testers can be paid for evaluating food and beverage products, often working for companies, market research firms, or as freelancers. Payment varies based on the project, experience, and the complexity of the testing, with some testers earning hourly wages or per session fees. Skills in palate sensitivity and proper testing procedures are important for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional taste tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Taste Tester, strong sensory evaluation skills, an acute sense of taste and smell, and relevant food science or culinary qualifications are essential. Familiarity with sensory analysis tools, standardized tasting protocols, and sometimes certifications like Certified Sensory Scientist are commonly required. Attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to provide objective, constructive feedback are standout soft skills. These competencies are crucial for ensuring product quality, consistency, and consumer satisfaction in the food and beverage industry.

What cities are hiring for Professional Taste Tester jobs?

Cities with the most Professional Taste Tester job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Taste Tester jobs?

The most popular types of Taste Tester jobs are:

What states have the most Professional Taste Tester jobs?

States with the most job openings for Professional Taste Tester jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Professional Taste Tester jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Professional Taste Tester jobs are:

Infographic showing various Professional Taste Tester job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 63% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $79,791 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

Supervisor Food Services

UNC HEALTH

Chapel Hill, NC • On-site

$19.78 - $28.12/hr

Full-time, Other

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Summary:
Under supervision, supervises the activities of all employees involved in the Nutrition and Food department areas of patient services, sanitation, cafeteria services, food production and nutrition support.
This position works the second shift from 1pm-9:30pm and every other weekend.
Responsibilities:
1. Ensures all policy and regulatory standards are met, including health regulations and JCAHO standards. Remains current and compliant with ServSafe Manager Level Certification according to the statutes of the state of North Carolina.
2. Establishes own work plan and priorities, using and/or modifying established procedures. Assists in the development of plans, methods and procedures for improving the overall operations of the department, including quality improvement processes.
3. Interviews, hires, trains, schedules, and evaluates food service staff. Makes recommendations for disciplinary action up to termination as necessary. Maintains appropriate records.
4. Maintains high standards of sanitation throughout the work areas. Enforces a 'clean as you go' policy and proper food handling. Ensures a safe work environment issues work orders for repairs.
5. Manages staff in accordance with Hospital's personnel policies and holds others accountable for the same. Schedules staff. Is responsible for employee time and attendance, payroll and other records as assigned.
6. Participates regularly in supervisory and other meetings and holds staff meetings as necessary and in accordance with departmental expectations.
7. Responsible for recipe development, food preparation, food presentation, distribution to service sites, proper holding of foods to be served and utilization of leftovers. Ensures staff are using safe food handling and proper cooking techniques, and that diet restrictions are being followed. Supervises all merchandising, temperature and taste testing of all food items records results.
Other Information
Other information:
Education Requirements:
• High School diploma or GED
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
• No licensure or certification required.
Professional Experience Requirements:
• Two (2) years food service experience
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: NFS Retail Services
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Salary Range: $19.78 - $28.12 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Variable
Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.