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Professional Taste Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cook/Diet Aide

Devils Lake, ND ยท On-site

$16.26 - $24.38/hr

Actively participates in taste testing and helps to develop winning standards. * Performs other ... Professional Drivers: Persons who drive as their main responsibility OR transport passengers or ...

New

Cook/Diet Aide

Devils Lake, ND ยท On-site

$16.26 - $24.38/hr

Actively participates in taste testing and helps to develop winning standards. * Performs other ... Professional Drivers: Persons who drive as their main responsibility OR transport passengers or ...

Cook/Diet Aide

Devils Lake, ND ยท On-site

$16.26 - $24.38/hr

Actively participates in taste testing and helps to develop winning standards. * Performs other ... Professional Drivers: Persons who drive as their main responsibility OR transport passengers or ...

Store Manager

Santa Cruz, CA ยท On-site

$23 - $27/hr

... taste testing and inspecting food to ensure the quality of food is consistent and up to standards 9. Maintain a professional restaurant image such as proper staff presentation and appearance ...

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 ...

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 ...

Corporate Chef

Lehi, UT ยท On-site

You will spend time in our kitchen cooking, tasting, and testing; inside supplier facilities ... Culinary degree, degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or a related field, or equivalent professional ...

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 ...

Food Services Assistant Manager

Exeter, NH ยท On-site

$15.50 - $21.25/hr

Participates in taste testing and evaluation of new products, recipes and methods of preparation. * Attends professional development events when possible to gain additional training, opportunities ...

Executive Chef

Nashville, TN ยท On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

... 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

Nashville, TN ยท On-site

$72K - $80K/yr

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Professional Taste Tester information

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$10

$38

$62

How much do professional taste tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 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 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.

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 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 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.

Can you get paid for taste testing?

Professional taste testers are often paid for their work, which involves evaluating food and beverage products for companies. Compensation can vary based on the company, project, and experience, and some taste testing jobs may also include product samples or incentives. These roles typically require good taste sensitivity and attention to detail.

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 location. Some may work part-time or on a freelance basis, with higher salaries often associated with quality assurance roles in food and beverage companies.

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 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,791 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

K-12 Sales Specialist (Food Broker)

Affinity Group

Detroit, MI โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

K-12 Sales Specialist – Michigan

About Affinity Group
Affinity Group is one of the fastest-growing food sales and marketing agencies in North America. We represent highly recognizable brands in the industry. Our team brings a consultative, localized approach to drive market growth and build meaningful partnerships within the K-12 school nutrition segment
Role Overview
We are seeking a results-driven, relationship-focused K-12 Sales Specialist to expand our market share across Michigan. In this role, you will work collaboratively with our other Sales Team members and the K12 Specialist in Western Michigan to champion our clients' products by partnering directly with school nutrition teams and distributors to increase menu frequency. This is a consultative sales position ideal for someone who is proactive, professional, and passionate about school nutrition and relationship-based selling.
A Typical Week Includes
  • Strategy & Execution: Schedule and conduct in-person sales appointments with K-12 school districts and distributors.  Sampling products and prepared recipes is key!
  • Pipeline Management: Handle prospecting, lead generation, and track sales activity within our industry leading AI NXT/CRM system to meet trimester sales goals.
  • Culinary Engagement: Organize and lead taste-testing events and food presentations at district and state levels.
  • Strategic Collaboration: Partner with the Bid Team and Senior Director to analyze school bids and build competitive proposals.
  • Relationship Building: Serve as a trusted advisor to school nutrition leaders while responding to client inquiries timely.
What We Are Looking For
  • Experience: 2–5 years in foodservice sales, food brokerage, or school operations preferred.
  • Core Skills: Proven track record in relationship selling, influencing buyers, and closing deals.
  • Communication: Exceptional presentation, public speaking, and persuasion capabilities.
  • Mindset: A creative, growth-oriented professional with a genuine passion for food and menu innovation.  Embracing innovation is key to success.
Requirements & Schedule
  • Travel: Weekly travel across Michigan with occasional regional air travel.
  • License: Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
  • Schedule: Monday to Friday (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) with flexibility to support customer needs.  Expect 10–15 evening/weekend events annually.
  • Tech Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, virtual meeting tools (Teams/Zoom), and CRM platforms.
  • Physical Ability: Ability to stand for long periods and safely lift 20–50 lbs during food shows.
Bonus Points
  • Associate or bachelor’s degree.
  • Direct experience working with K-12 School Nutrition Programs.
  • Advanced familiarity with modern sales technology platforms.
Perks & Benefits
  • Competitive base salary plus performance-based bonus incentives.
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) retirement plan and disability benefits.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid company holidays.
  • Corporate employee discounts.

The Affinity Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

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