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R&D Chef Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Executive Chef

Poolesville, MD · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards - Best Places to Work, This is R/A ! Job Summary The ... Washington, D.C. It's a place where local sourcing isn't a trend; it's a way of life. At The ...

Compass Group

Executive Chef

Poolesville, MD · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards - Best Places to Work, This is R/A ! Job Summary The ... Washington, D.C. It's a place where local sourcing isn't a trend; it's a way of life. At The ...

Restaurant Associates

Executive Chef

Poolesville, MD · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards - Best Places to Work, This is R/A ! Job Summary The ... Washington, D.C. It's a place where local sourcing isn't a trend; it's a way of life. At The ...

Compass Group

Executive Chef

Poolesville, MD · On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards - Best Places to Work, This is R/A ! Job Summary The ... Washington, D.C. It's a place where local sourcing isn't a trend; it's a way of life. At The ...

Reinventing Geospatial, Inc. (RGi)

DevOps Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$54.25 - $74.25/hr

Additional Skills We'd Like to See... * Large scale software development experience: develop/modify ... Data Ingest (JSON, Kafka, Microservices, Elastic Search), Analytics (HIVE, SPARK, R, PIG, OOZIE ...

Reinventing Geospatial, Inc. (RGi)

DevOps Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$54.25 - $74.25/hr

Additional Skills We'd Like to See... * Large scale software development experience: develop/modify ... Data Ingest (JSON, Kafka, Microservices, Elastic Search), Analytics (HIVE, SPARK, R, PIG, OOZIE ...

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All JobsR&D Chef JobsR&D Chef Jobs in Washington

R D Chef information

See Washington salary details

$52.1K

$94.9K

$150.6K

How much do r&d chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for r&d chef in Washington is $94,905.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,700.00 and $133,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an R&D chef?

R&D Chefs, or Research and Development Chefs, are culinary professionals who specialize in creating and testing new recipes, food products, and menu items for restaurants, food companies, or manufacturers. Their work involves experimenting with flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques to develop innovative dishes or improve existing ones. They often collaborate with food scientists, marketing teams, and production staff to ensure new products meet quality, safety, and market demands. R&D Chefs play a crucial role in keeping food businesses competitive and up-to-date with industry trends.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an R&D chef?

To thrive as an R&D Chef, you need deep culinary expertise, creativity in recipe development, and a solid understanding of food science, often supported by a culinary degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety certifications, and product development software is commonly required. Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills help R&D Chefs effectively work with cross-functional teams and adapt to evolving trends. These abilities are essential for innovating new recipes and products that meet both culinary standards and business objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by R&D chefs when developing new menu items?

R&D Chefs often encounter challenges such as balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness, ensuring scalability of recipes for large-scale production, and adapting dishes to meet dietary restrictions or customer preferences. Additionally, they must collaborate closely with suppliers, kitchen staff, and marketing teams to source ingredients and ensure consistency across locations. Staying current with food trends and regulatory requirements also adds complexity to the role, making adaptability and strong communication skills essential.

What is the difference between R&D Chef vs Culinary Developer?

AspectR&D ChefCulinary Developer
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesCooking certifications, culinary degrees
Work EnvironmentResearch kitchens, product development labsResearch kitchens, product development labs
Industry UsageFood manufacturing, large food companiesFood manufacturing, large food companies
Primary FocusDeveloping new recipes and food productsCreating and testing new culinary concepts

Both R&D Chefs and Culinary Developers work in food research environments, focusing on developing new recipes and products. While their roles overlap significantly, R&D Chefs often have a more senior culinary background and may lead larger projects, whereas Culinary Developers may focus more on innovative culinary concepts and prototypes. Both roles are essential in food innovation within the industry.

How to become an R&D chef?

To become an R&D chef, typically a culinary degree or equivalent experience in food development is required, along with strong creativity, knowledge of food science, and proficiency in recipe formulation. Gaining experience in professional kitchens and understanding food safety standards are also important, and some roles may require knowledge of product testing and innovation processes.

What are popular job titles related to R&D Chef jobs in Washington?

For R&D Chef jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching R&D Chef jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for R&D Chef jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for R&D Chef jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most R&D Chef job openings:

R D Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various R&D Chef job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,905 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

Executive Chef

Poolesville, MD • On-site

Compass Group
Catering • 10K+ employees

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,095 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

350th of 499 rated business services

Free food

People enjoy working here

Recommended by students

Learn more about Compass Groupexternal

$110K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Executive Chef
Salary: $110,000 - $125,000
Other Forms of Compensation: Bonus Plan, Sign On Bonus, Relocation Package
Become part of Restaurant Associates, the industry's leading provider of dining and event catering for some of the nation's most prestigious museums, performing arts centers and corporations! Voted Glassdoor's Employee Choice Awards- Best Places to Work, This is R/A !
Job Summary
The Crossvines isn't just a restaurant, it's a destination. Nestled in the scenic countryside of Poolesville, Maryland, this unique hospitality experience brings together a winery, event venue, and restaurant designed to celebrate food, community, and craftsmanship. Think expansive views, local partnerships, and a guest experience that feels both elevated and welcoming.
As Executive Chef, you'll have the opportunity to shape the property's culinary identity, designing menus, building a team, and creating moments guests remember long after the meal ends. Supported by Restaurant Associates' culture of innovation and excellence, you'll have the resources of a premier hospitality organization while maintaining the creative freedom and ownership of an independent concept.
For chefs who want to lead, create, and build something meaningful, this is your kitchen.
Why Poolesville + The Crossvines
Poolesville offers the best of both worlds: a charming, tight-knit community surrounded by farmland, wineries, and natural beauty, just a short drive from Washington, D.C. It's a place where local sourcing isn't a trend; it's a way of life.
At The Crossvines, that connection to place comes alive through food, wine, and shared experiences. From intimate dinners to large-scale events, the property is designed to be a go-to destination, giving you a dynamic culinary canvas to bring ideas to life.
Key Responsibilities
  • Shape and lead the culinary vision for The Crossvines, creating menus that are seasonal, approachable, and reflective of the region
  • Partner across culinary, beverage, and events teams to deliver seamless and memorable guest experiences
  • Build, mentor, and inspire a kitchen team where people feel supported, engaged, and excited to grow
  • Oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring consistency, quality, and thoughtful execution
  • Balance creativity with operational excellence, managing food cost, labor, and efficiency with intention
  • Maintain best-in-class food safety, sanitation, and workplace standards
  • Cultivate relationships with local farmers, producers, and purveyors to highlight regional ingredients
  • Contribute to special events, tastings, and programming that elevate the overall guest journey

What We're Looking For
  • Experience leading culinary teams in high-volume, hospitality-focused environments
  • A collaborative leadership style that prioritizes communication, trust, and development
  • Passion for seasonal cooking, menu innovation, and ingredient-driven cuisine
  • Comfort navigating both the creative and business sides of the kitchen
  • Adaptability in a dynamic, event-driven environment
  • A genuine focus on guest experience and continuous improvement
  • Experience in destination dining, wineries, event venues, or premium hospitality settings
  • Background working with local, sustainable, or farm-driven sourcing programs

Apply to Restaurant Associates today!
Restaurant Associates is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Associates at Restaurant Associates are offered many fantastic benefits.
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.
https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_RA.pdf
Req ID: 1554568
Restaurant Associates
Michael Abbey
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