ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Recipe Development Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

SFE

Registered Dietitian

Fredericksburg, VA

$30.75 - $41.25/hr

As a Registered Dietitian, you'll guide menu planning, recipe development, and compliance across multiple districts. You'll support site teams, prep for state reviews, and ensure students get ...

Dirt Farm Brewing

Head Brewer

Bluemont, VA

$55K - $65K/yr

Recipe Development & Brand Alignment * Develop and refine recipes for new beers that align with our brand and business goals. * Collaborate with the Marketing team to schedule production and releases.

HERMITAGE COUNTRY CLUB

Sous Chef

Manakin, VA

$46.70K - $63K/yr

Oversees food preparation, kitchen sanitation, kitchen labor costs, recipe development and menu design. Monitors and evaluates requisitions and purchases of food supplies. Responsible for profitable ...

ASM Global

Sous Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

$49.50K - $66.80K/yr

Support recipe development, costing, and seasonal menu updates. Kitchen Leadership * Supervise and train prep cooks, line cooks, dishwashers, and temporary labor. * Lead kitchen operations when the ...

ASM Global

Sous Chef

Richmond, VA

$49.50K - $66.80K/yr

Support recipe development, costing, and seasonal menu updates. Kitchen Leadership * Supervise and train prep cooks, line cooks, dishwashers, and temporary labor. * Lead kitchen operations when the ...

Valley Health

Cook - Full Time

Winchester, VA

$13.50 - $18.25/hr

Assists with recipe development and testing. Attends department meetings. Demonstrates a willingness to cross training on other nutritional service jobs in and outside of the kitchen. Cleans ...

AEG

Sous Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

$49.60K - $67K/yr

Support recipe development, costing, and seasonal menu updates. Kitchen Leadership * Supervise and train prep cooks, line cooks, dishwashers, and temporary labor. * Lead kitchen operations when the ...

Valley Health

Cook - Full Time

Winchester, VA · On-site

$13.50 - $18.25/hr

Assists with recipe development and testing. Attends department meetings. Demonstrates a willingness to cross training on other nutritional service jobs in and outside of the kitchen. Cleans ...

UP On The Roof

Executive Chef

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

$70.90K - $97.70K/yr

... recipe development, and cost control. -Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multitask and work under pressure. -Strong attention to detail and commitment to ...

The Inn at Little Washington

Sous Chef

Washington, VA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

... and recipe development for all facets of PM operations 8. Constant review and OTJ training for all PM staff 9. General assessment and growth of PM brigade and creation of SOPs as needed ...

The Inn at Little Washington

Sous Chef

Washington, VA · On-site

$52.70K - $71.20K/yr

... and recipe development for all facets of PM operations 8. Constant review and OTJ training for all PM staff 9. General assessment and growth of PM brigade and creation of SOPs as needed ...

The Inn at Little Washington

PM Sous Chef

Washington, VA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

... and recipe development for all facets of PM operations 8. Constant review and OTJ training for all PM staff 9. General assessment and growth of PM brigade and creation of SOPs as needed ...

The Inn at Little Washington

PM Sous Chef

Washington, VA · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

... and recipe development for all facets of PM operations 8. Constant review and OTJ training for all PM staff 9. General assessment and growth of PM brigade and creation of SOPs as needed ...

Wonder

Assistant Manager

Ashburn, VA

$66.50K - $76.50K/yr

Behind the scenes, Wonder owns and operates every step of the dining experience, from recipe development to the technology that powers our experience, allowing us to deliver quality, variety, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsRecipe Development JobsRecipe Development Jobs in Virginia

Recipe Development information

See Virginia salary details

$28.8K

$53K

$80.3K

How much do recipe development jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for recipe development in Virginia is $52,960.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,100.00 and $59,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

How much money does a recipe developer make?

The average salary for a recipe developer ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Freelance recipe developers may charge per project or hour, with rates varying widely based on expertise and scope of work.
More about Recipe Development jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Recipe Development jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Recipe Development jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Recipe Development jobs in Virginia? For Recipe Development jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Recipe Development jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Recipe Development jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Recipe Development jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Recipe Development job openings:
Recipe Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recipe Development job openings in Virginia as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,960 per year, or $25.5 per hour.

Registered Dietitian

Southwest Foodservice Excellence, LLC

Fredericksburg, VA • On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Southwest Foodservice Excellence rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 38 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

39th of 64 rated caterers

Job description


Fuel Compliance and Creativity – Join Us as a Registered Dietitian in K-12 Food Service!

Looking to combine your nutrition expertise with hands-on impact in schools? As a Registered Dietitian, you’ll guide menu planning, recipe development, and compliance across multiple districts. You’ll support site teams, prep for state reviews, and ensure students get nutritious, compliant meals every day. If you're ready to blend strategy with service, this role offers the chance to lead, travel, and make a meaningful difference.

Position Summary

The Registered Dietitian supports compliance and menu development across K-12 food programs. This role partners with the culinary and purchasing teams to create nutritious, cost-effective menus that meet federal, state, and local guidelines. The RD also provides on-site training, prepares review documentation, and supports school teams during administrative reviews.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop compliant menus in collaboration with chefs and operations leaders
  • Write and revise recipes to align with nutritional and regulatory standards
  • Research food products to ensure compliance with program requirements
  • Input menus and nutrient/allergen data into menu planning software
  • Analyze menus for meal pattern compliance and student appeal
  • Prepare documentation for state and federal administrative reviews
  • Travel to school sites to support preparation and success during reviews
  • Train café staff on special dietary accommodations, HACCP, and documentation practices
  • Coach and evaluate teams on production records and paperwork accuracy
  • Assist in procurement decisions and support menu rollouts
  • Implement tools and programs that enhance compliance and operational efficiency
  • Attend state and national trainings on regulatory updates
  • Provide nutrition education and training to site-level staff
  • Complete other tasks and administrative duties as needed
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or related field
  • Registered Dietitian (RD) credential with active license in good standing
  • Experience in menu planning, recipe development, and school nutrition compliance
  • Familiarity with HACCP and child nutrition regulations
  • Strong communication, coaching, and organizational skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively and travel to sites regularly (up to 50%)
  • Must pass background check and fingerprint screening
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn industry-specific software
  • Comfortable presenting to diverse groups and leading site-level trainings
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
  • Must be able to stand for up to 8 hours and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds
  • Regularly required to walk, sit, reach, and handle kitchen equipment
  • Work includes exposure to kitchen heat, cold storage, and strong food smells
  • Moderate noise levels and extended computer work expected
  • Travel required approximately 50% of the year (nationwide)
  • May work some extended weeks based on district needs and review schedules

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled and participates with E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program



What Southwest Foodservice Excellence employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply