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Recipe Development Chef Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Executive Chef

Dousman, WI · On-site

$72K - $80K/yr

Executive Chef Full Time Salary: $72,000-$80,000/year Join the team at Three Pillars Senior Living ... Lead menu and recipe planning and development, including seasonal offerings. * Ensure consistency ...

Executive Chef

Dousman, WI · On-site

$72K - $80K/yr

What you'll do as an Executive Chef:Direct day-to-day culinary operations of the cafe, restaurant ... Lead menu and recipe planning and development, including seasonal offerings.Ensure consistency ...

Pantry Cook

Madison, WI · On-site

$20.55/hr

... chef coats * Maintain a clean and sanitized workspace according to the HACCP plan * Inform supervisors of low stock on ingredients to minimize out of stocks * Participate in recipe development

Collaborate on menu development, incorporating current trends and client needs for special events ... Strong math skills for recipe calculations, portion sizes, and requisitions. * Fluent in English ...

Collaborate on menu development, incorporating current trends and client needs for special events ... Strong math skills for recipe calculations, portion sizes, and requisitions. * Fluent in English ...

Collaborate on menu development, incorporating current trends and client needs for special events ... Strong math skills for recipe calculations, portion sizes, and requisitions. * Fluent in English ...

EXECUTIVE CHEF, HOSPITALS

Franklin, WI

$66K - $91K/yr

... recipe compliance, sanitation, and food quality. Key Responsibilities: * Lead daily kitchen ... Participate in departmental meetings, leadership initiatives, staff development programs, and ...

Showing results 41-60

Recipe Development Chef information

See Wisconsin salary details

$10

$24

$45

How much do recipe development chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 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 is a recipe development chef?

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?

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 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 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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,704 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee rating

4.4

Company rating: 4.4 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

612th of 619 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Position Title:Executive ChefJob Category:Academic StaffEmployment Type:RegularJob Profile:Executive ChefJob Duties:

Under the general direction of the Director of Dining & Retail Services (DRS), this position supports the University's mission by leading the department in delivering high-quality food services and exceptional customer experiences across all service areas.

The Executive Chef serves as the culinary expert and visionary responsible for food quality, menu development, culinary innovation, and presentation standards. Provides leadership, supervision, and professional development for culinary staff and serves as a public representative of Dining & Retail Services.

This position has full responsibility for culinary program administration across multiple service platforms, including residential dining, retail operations, and catering services and requires the following:

  • Strong knowledge of culinary principles and high-volume food production.

  • Leadership and staff development skills.

  • Ability to manage multiple operations.

  • Financial and operational analysis capability.

  • Strong communicationand problem-solving skills.

Key Job Responsibilities:

35% Staff Leadership, Development, and Supervision

  • Directs, supervises, and develops kitchen production staff to ensure effective operations and quality outcomes
  • Designs, implements, and evaluates training programs including food safety, culinary skills, and waste reduction
  • Establishes performance expectations and conducts evaluations
  • Promotes an inclusive and engaged work environment
  • Oversees staffing plans and labor utilization

30% Culinary Program Management & Menu Development

  • Direct and administers menu development across all units
  • Ensures alignment with dietary needs and customer preferences
  • Integrates seasonal and local sourcing
  • Oversee recipe testing, costing, and documentation
  • Collaborates on procurement standards

15% Culinary Operations & Quality Assurance

  • Plans and evaluates production systems
  • Enforces quality and safety standards
  • Ensures compliance with regulations
  • Monitors product consistency and service standards

10% Catering & Special Events Administration

  • Direct and administer UWM Catering operations
  • Establishes catering standards and oversees events
  • Develop partnerships and expand services
  • Monitors financial and operational performance
  • Implements improvements and innovation

5% External Relations & Program Representation

  • Represents Dining Services to stakeholders
  • Supports academic partnerships
  • Promotes culinary programs

5% Financial & Operational Support

  • Analyzes food and labor costs
  • Supports budget planning
  • Evaluate customer feedback
  • Assists with operational support and facilities planning
Department:

Dining and Retail Services

Compensation:

$85,000 - $100,000 Annually

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in hospitality management, business, culinary arts, organizational leadership, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience-associate's degree plus 8 years of management experience in a higher education setting

  • Minimum of5 years of progressive foodservice management experience, preferably in ahigher educationdining environment

  • Demonstrated experience managing food, labor, and operating budgets

  • Knowledge of institutional food purchasing, inventory systems, and POS platforms

  • Experience with standardized recipes, menu development, and production systems

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Valid Driver's License and ability to qualify tooperateState of Wisconsin vehicles

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in culinary arts, Hospitality Management, or related field.

  • Certified Executive Chef (CEC)

  • Experience in university,collegeor large institutional dining programs.

  • Experience supervising managers and leading multi-layered teams

  • ServSafeManager Certification or ability to obtain within requiredtimeframe

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide BOTH cover letter and resume addressing your professional level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications.

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application. Applications missing any of the required documents listed prior to the application deadline will be marked as incomplete and will not be considered. In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidates' application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

Finalist candidates(s) will be asked to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

This is a continuous recruitment with an initial review date of 07/23/2026. To ensure consideration, applications must be submitted by 07/22/2026. Applications submitted after 07/22/2026 may not be reviewed.

Contact Information:

Questions about this position can be directed to Jennifer Brown (brow2366@uwm.edu)

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWMis a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law.UWMwill not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.
CBCand Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check.UWMtakes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For theUWMAnnual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, seehttp://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM's Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.
Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.


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