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Recipe Development Chef Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Executive Sous Chef

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$64K - $81K/yr

The Executive Sous Chef (ESC) is responsible for the effective daily operations of the kitchen ... Contributes to menu and recipe development. * On-going menu engineering and monitoring menu content ...

Executive Sous Chef

Milwaukee, WI

$63K - $81K/yr

Collaborate directly with the Executive Chef on menu development, implementation timelines, recipe execution, and USE Records - ensuring all culinary financial objectives and food cost targets are ...

Chef

Stevens Point, WI · On-site

$17.60 - $19/hr

Chef Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Chef Job Duties: This ... Assists with recipe development, food testing, and daily menu planning to meet anticipated customer ...

Chef

Stevens Point, WI · On-site

$17.60 - $19/hr

Chef Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Chef Job Duties: This ... Assists with recipe development, food testing, and daily menu planning to meet anticipated customer ...

Be Seen First

Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary team in menu design and recipe development * Maintain a safe, sanitary, and organized kitchen that complies with state and local health department ...

Be Seen First

Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary team in menu design and recipe development * Maintain a safe, sanitary, and organized kitchen that complies with state and local health department ...

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Recipe Development Chef information

See Wisconsin salary details

$10

$24

$45

How much do recipe development chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for recipe development chef in Wisconsin is $24.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.97 and $31.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Recipe Development Chefs?

Recipe Development Chefs are culinary professionals who specialize in creating, testing, and refining recipes for restaurants, food companies, cookbooks, or media outlets. They combine culinary creativity with technical knowledge to develop dishes that are both delicious and consistent. Their responsibilities often include ingredient sourcing, nutritional analysis, and adapting recipes for various dietary needs or production scales. Recipe Development Chefs may also collaborate with marketing teams and food photographers to present recipes in an appealing way. Their work ensures that recipes are reliable, innovative, and meet the needs of their target audience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Recipe Development Chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recipe Development Chef, you need a strong culinary background, creativity in food preparation, and a solid understanding of nutrition and food science, usually supported by formal culinary training or equivalent experience. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and sometimes food safety certifications is important. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and adaptability help you collaborate with teams and respond to feedback. These skills are crucial for consistently creating innovative, high-quality recipes that meet taste, dietary, and operational standards.

What is the highest paid chef job?

The highest paid chef roles are executive chefs, culinary directors, or corporate chefs, often earning six-figure salaries. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and management of large kitchens or restaurant groups. Salaries can vary based on location, establishment size, and reputation.

What is the difference between Recipe Development Chef vs Pastry Chef?

AspectRecipe Development ChefPastry Chef
CredentialsCulinary degree or equivalent, culinary certificationsCulinary degree, pastry-specific certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, food product companies, restaurantsBakery, pastry shops, restaurants, hotels
Industry UsageFood product development, culinary innovationBakery, dessert, pastry arts
Primary FocusCreating and testing new recipes for various food productsPreparing and decorating baked goods and desserts

The Recipe Development Chef focuses on creating and testing new recipes for food products and menus, often working in test kitchens or food companies. In contrast, a Pastry Chef specializes in preparing and decorating baked goods and desserts in bakeries or restaurants. While both roles require culinary skills and certifications, their work environments and primary responsibilities differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by a Recipe Development Chef when creating new dishes for a restaurant or food brand?

One of the main challenges for a Recipe Development Chef is balancing creativity with practical considerations like ingredient availability, cost, and kitchen workflow. It's important to ensure that new recipes can be consistently replicated by kitchen staff and meet the brand's standards for taste, appearance, and nutrition. Additionally, Recipe Development Chefs often collaborate closely with culinary teams, nutritionists, and marketing departments to align new dishes with customer preferences and brand identity, requiring strong communication and adaptability.
What are popular job titles related to Recipe Development Chef jobs in Wisconsin? For Recipe Development Chef jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Recipe Development Chef job openings in Wisconsin as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Full Time, 84% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $51,704 per year, or $24.9 per hour.
Executive Sous Chef

$63K - $81K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


White Lodging rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

36th of 105 rated hotels


Job description

Description


Who We Are

White Lodging develops and operates a portfolio of award-winning premium hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in some of the country's most dynamic cities. We know that the hospitality business, like life, is about how you make people feel. That's where you come in. You'll help bring the virtue of hospitality to life while we create an environment that allows you to be your best self and grow.

We are hiring an experienced Executive Sous Chef to serve as the second-in-command of our hotel culinary operations. This is a senior kitchen leadership role for a proven culinary professional who is ready to step into an Executive Chef in training capacity — leading daily food and beverage production, developing a high-performing culinary team, and driving the menu quality and financial performance that define a premium hotel dining experience. If you're an Executive Sous Chef, Senior Sous Chef, or Chef de Cuisine ready to take the next step in your culinary management career with one of the country's leading hotel and restaurant companies, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

  • Lead all hotel culinary operations in the Executive Chef's absence — maintaining food quality, freshness, and full compliance with health department regulations and food safety standards across every outlet and meal period
  • Collaborate directly with the Executive Chef on menu development, implementation timelines, recipe execution, and USE Records — ensuring all culinary financial objectives and food cost targets are consistently met
  • Manage daily back-of-house operations across a high-volume hotel kitchen environment — including staffing, scheduling, inventory management, and portion control in full adherence to White Lodging corporate SOPs
  • Train, mentor, and develop culinary associates at all levels — from entry-level cooks to line cooks and senior kitchen staff — fostering a culture of continuous learning, professional growth, and internal promotion
  • Monitor and manage all food-related expenses — including vendor invoices, payroll, and inventory reconciliation — to ensure consistent budget adherence and culinary department profitability
  • Partner cross-functionally with Sales, front-of-house leadership, and Events teams to support banquet operations, special events, and elevated guest dining experiences across the property

What You'll Bring

  • Minimum 5 years of progressive Chef experience in a large-scale hotel, resort, or high-volume banquet culinary operation — required
  • Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop culinary teams in a high-volume hotel kitchen or banquet environment — with a track record of low turnover and strong internal promotion
  • Deep expertise in menu creation, food preparation techniques, recipe development, and strict compliance with food safety and sanitation standards
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills — with demonstrated experience managing food cost, labor cost, inventory, and culinary department budgets in a hotel or resort setting
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and culinary coaching skills — with a genuine commitment to building a collaborative, high-performing kitchen team culture
  • Associate's degree in Culinary Arts, Culinary Management, or Business Administration preferred — equivalent hands-on culinary leadership experience considered

What You Can Look Forward To

  • Benefits — starting day 1
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • DailyPay — get paid when you need it
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off (PTO) with rollover
  • Complimentary wellness tools
  • Unlimited employee referral bonuses
  • Leadership development & tuition reimbursement
  • Discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and travel
  • Growth opportunities across multiple hotel properties in your market

White Lodging is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.


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