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Recipe Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PAFCO

R&D Coordinator

Vernon, CA · On-site

$24 - $27/hr

Coordinate benchtop and plant trials for new seafood products (fresh, frozen, value-added, ready-to-eat, etc.). * Assist with recipe development, reformulation, and cost optimization. * Prepare ...

PACIFIC AMERICAN FISH CO INC

R&D Coordinator

Vernon, CA · On-site

$24 - $27/hr

Coordinate benchtop and plant trials for new seafood products (fresh, frozen, value-added, ready-to-eat, etc.). * Assist with recipe development, reformulation, and cost optimization. * Prepare ...

Alila Marea

Culinary Supervisor

Encinitas, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Collaborate with the Chef de Cuisine on menu changes and new recipe development, ensuring alignment with guest preferences. - Inventory Management: Help manage food inventory and supplies, ensuring ...

THE JIMENEZ COMPANY

Part-Time Line Cook

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Participate in menu planning and recipe development. * Monitor inventory levels and assist with stock rotation. * Adapt to changing menus and special dietary requests. * Provide exceptional support ...

THE JIMENEZ COMPANY

Part-Time Line Cook

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Participate in menu planning and recipe development. * Monitor inventory levels and assist with stock rotation. * Adapt to changing menus and special dietary requests. * Provide exceptional support ...

Marriott

Restaurant General Manager - Ardor

West Hollywood, CA · On-site

$60K - $84K/yr

Assists with the menu development, recipe development and food preparation for the designated outlet. Develops beverage programs within the parameters of the company's national agreements. Maintains ...

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All JobsRecipe Development JobsRecipe Development Jobs in California

Recipe Development information

See California salary details

$28.6K

$52.7K

$79.9K

How much do recipe development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for recipe development in California is $52,718.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,900.00 and $59,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is recipe developer a job?

Yes, a recipe developer is a professional who creates and tests new recipes for food companies, publications, or restaurants. They often have skills in culinary arts, food science, and may use tools like recipe management software; some positions require culinary certifications or degrees. Recipe development is a recognized career in the food industry with specific job responsibilities and work environments.

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

To thrive in Recipe Development, you need a strong culinary background, creativity in food pairing, and a solid understanding of nutrition and food science, often supported by a culinary degree or relevant experience. Familiarity with recipe management software, food costing tools, and kitchen equipment is typically required. Attention to detail, adaptability, and excellent communication skills help you refine recipes and collaborate with chefs, clients, or brands. These skills ensure the creation of innovative, reliable, and appealing recipes that meet both culinary standards and consumer expectations.

What are some common challenges faced in a recipe development role, and how can they be managed?

One of the main challenges in recipe development is balancing creativity with practicality, as recipes must be both innovative and reproducible by home cooks or commercial kitchens. Developers often need to test multiple iterations to ensure consistency, flavor, and clarity in instructions. Managing feedback from taste testers, nutritionists, and editorial teams is also key, requiring strong communication and flexibility. Staying organized and documenting each version meticulously helps streamline the process and minimize errors.

What is recipe development?

Recipe development is the process of creating, testing, and refining recipes to achieve desired flavors, textures, and presentation. This involves experimenting with ingredients, cooking methods, and measurements to ensure the final dish is both delicious and reliable. Professionals in recipe development often work for food brands, magazines, or restaurants, ensuring recipes are innovative, accurate, and easy for others to follow. The process may also include considering dietary restrictions, nutrition, and food trends.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

In the field of recipe development, highly experienced and successful chefs or food entrepreneurs can reach annual earnings of $500,000 or more, especially if they own popular restaurants, publish bestselling cookbooks, or have lucrative media deals. Such high income levels typically require extensive industry experience, strong branding, and multiple revenue streams. Most recipe developers or culinary professionals earning this level of income operate in high-profile environments or have diversified their culinary careers beyond standard roles.

What Are the Qualifications to Get a Recipe Development Job?

The qualifications to get a recipe development job depend greatly on your career path. If you start in the restaurant or fine dining industry, you may get a book deal to write about your restaurant’s food or ingredients. This requires years of patience and success as a cook. Others study food science or nutrition in college or at a culinary institute. Other recipe developers may have no formal background in food or food science, but they combine their passion for cooking with their writing skills and develop recipes for their audience.

How much do recipe developers get paid?

Recipe developers typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Freelance recipe developers may charge per project or hour, with rates ranging from $20 to $100 or more per hour. Skills in culinary arts, food science, and recipe testing can influence earning potential.

How do you become a recipe developer?

To become a recipe developer, individuals typically gain culinary skills through formal education or hands-on experience in kitchens, and develop a strong understanding of food science, flavor pairing, and presentation. Building a portfolio of tested recipes and proficiency with food photography or writing can also help establish credibility in the field.
More about Recipe Development jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Recipe Development jobs in California? The most popular types of Recipe Development jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Recipe Development jobs in California? For Recipe Development jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Recipe Development jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Recipe Development jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Recipe Development jobs? Cities in California with the most Recipe Development job openings:
Recipe Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recipe Development job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,718 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

R&D Coordinator

PAFCO

Vernon, CA • On-site

$24 - $27/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Job Title: R&D Coordinator
Department: Research & Development
Reports To: Technical Manager
Location: Vernon, CA
PAFCO is a $500MM+ global seafood manufacturing company with 45+ years of success. Our business is built on trust which has allowed for both our company, and our customers, to succeed together. Learn more about the company at www.pafco.net.
Position Summary
The R&D Coordinator supports product development, reformulation, and commercialization activities within a seafood manufacturing environment. This role coordinates product trials, maintains documentation, ensures regulatory compliance, and serves as a liaison between R&D, Quality Assurance, Production, Procurement, and Sales to successfully bring new and improved seafood products to market.
Key Responsibilities
Product Development & Commercialization
  • Coordinate benchtop and plant trials for new seafood products (fresh, frozen, value-added, ready-to-eat, etc.).
  • Assist with recipe development, reformulation, and cost optimization.
  • Prepare product specifications, formulations, and technical documentation.
  • Support scale-up from pilot to full production.
  • Track project timelines and ensure milestone completion.

Regulatory & Compliance
  • Ensure products comply with FDA, USDA (if applicable), and state regulations.
  • Support seafood HACCP documentation and validation.
  • Assist with Prop 65 assessments and labeling compliance.
  • Maintain ingredient statements, allergen declarations, and nutritional data.
  • Work with QA to validate shelf-life studies and challenge studies.

Documentation & Data Management
  • Maintain R&D databases, formulas, and product development files.
  • Generate batch sheets and trial reports.
  • Coordinate sample submissions for lab testing (microbiological, chemical, sensory).
  • Track product costing and ingredient changes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Coordinate with Production during trials and first runs.
  • Communicate with Procurement on ingredient sourcing and specifications.
  • Support Sales with technical information and customer samples.
  • Assist in responding to customer specification requests and audits.

Sensory & Quality Support
  • Organize and document sensory evaluations.
  • Participate in quality improvement initiatives.
  • Monitor product performance and support continuous improvement efforts.

Qualifications
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Technology or related field preferred or work experience

Experience
  • 1-3 years of experience in food manufacturing (seafood experience strongly preferred).
  • Experience with seafood HACCP and FDA regulations.
  • Familiarity with frozen, refrigerated, or ready-to-eat product development is a plus.

Technical Skills
  • Knowledge of food safety regulations (FDA, HACCP, FSMA).
  • Understanding of allergen controls (especially seafood allergens).
  • Strong documentation and project coordination skills.

Competencies
  • Detail-oriented and highly organized.
  • Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Problem-solving mindset with a focus on food safety and quality.

Physical & Work Environment
  • Combination of office, kitchen and production floor environment.
  • Exposure to refrigerated and frozen conditions.
  • Ability to lift up to 50lbs as needed.
  • PPE required in production areas.

Preferred Attributes (Seafood-Specific)
  • Experience working with raw, cooked, smoked, or ready-to-eat seafood.
  • Knowledge of seafood sourcing, seasonality, and quality indicators.
  • Understanding of shelf-life challenges unique to seafood products.

Benefits
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401k, LTD, FSA

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