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Recipe Writer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Recipe Developer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Recipe writing experience, with food styling experience for e-commerce or editorial use. * Proficiency in Google Suite, especially Google Sheets. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Recipe writing experience, with food styling experience for e-commerce or editorial use. * Proficiency in Google Suite, especially Google Sheets. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and communication skills, including recipe writing, client presentations, and professional correspondence. * Strong organizational, project management ...

Prep Cook

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

$19/hr

Ensure the proper recipe is displayed on the monitor during the preparation and cooking process ... Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. * Demonstrates basic English/Spanish ...

Prep Cook

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$17.50/hr

Ensure the proper recipe is displayed on the monitor during the preparation and cooking process ... Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. * Demonstrates basic English/Spanish ...

Sr Cook

Chicago, IL

$18.87 - $26.66/hr

... write and speak English. • Basic math skills to calculate recipe ingredient and quantity adjustments, calculate weight and measures. Critical thinking skills. • Organizational skills. • ...

Sr Cook

Chicago, IL

$18.87 - $26.66/hr

... write and speak English. • Basic math skills to calculate recipe ingredient and quantity adjustments, calculate weight and measures. Critical thinking skills. • Organizational skills. • ...

Research Chef

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

Write, test, edit, and improve proprietary commercial formulas and home-cook recipes while maintaining formula and recipe integrity. * Demonstrate cooking methods, train others on basic culinary ...

US Hourly

Aurora, IL

$14 - $18/hr

Delicately pack weekly recipe ingredients into a standard shipping box * Sticker, construct, and ... Ability to read, write, and understand English * Must be at least 18 years old. You'll get.

Research Chef

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$50K - $100K/yr

Write, test, edit, and improve proprietary commercial formulas and home-cook recipes while maintaining formula and recipe integrity. * Demonstrate cooking methods, train others on basic culinary ...

US Hourly

Aurora, IL · On-site

$18.75/hr

Delicately pack weekly recipe ingredients into a standard shipping box * Sticker, construct, and ... Ability to read, write, and understand English * Must be at least 18 years old. You'll get.

Head Pastry Chef

Evanston, IL · On-site

$65K - $78K/yr

Recipe & Formula Logs: Maintains and updates recipe/formula books. All pastry recipes must be typed ... Writes annual performance reviews for pastry staff and leads these review meetings alongside the ...

Head Pastry Chef

Evanston, IL · On-site

$65K - $78K/yr

Recipe & Formula Logs: Maintains and updates recipe/formula books. All pastry recipes must be typed ... Writes annual performance reviews for pastry staff and leads these review meetings alongside the ...

Pastry Cook

Lake Forest, IL · On-site

$21 - $23/hr

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, schedule or recipe form. The hospitality business functions seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. In addition, this is ...

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Recipe Writer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$12

$25

$43

How much do recipe writer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for recipe writer in Chicago, IL is $25.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.09 and $28.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recipe writer?

A Recipe Writer creates clear, concise, and engaging recipes for cookbooks, websites, magazines, or food brands. They develop original recipes or adapt existing ones, ensuring accuracy in ingredient measurements, cooking techniques, and step-by-step instructions. They may also write food-related articles, test recipes, and collaborate with chefs or editors to refine content. Strong writing skills and culinary knowledge are essential for success in this role.

What does a recipe writer do?

A typical day for a Recipe Writer may include developing and testing new recipes, writing clear and detailed instructions, and collaborating with chefs, editors, or photographers. You may spend time researching food trends, editing and optimizing recipes for publication, and responding to feedback from readers or team members. Often, there is a mix of independent work and teamwork, especially when preparing recipes for branded content or multimedia platforms. Meeting deadlines and ensuring each recipe is both delicious and easy to follow are key parts of the job. This variety keeps the role engaging and provides opportunities to continually learn and grow in the culinary field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recipe writer?

To thrive as a Recipe Writer, you need a strong grasp of culinary techniques, excellent written communication skills, and often some formal training or experience in cooking or food writing. Familiarity with content management systems, food photography, and recipe formatting software is often beneficial. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to clearly explain processes are standout soft skills in this field. These qualities help ensure recipes are accessible, accurate, and engaging for a wide range of audiences.

How do you become a recipe writer?

To become a recipe writer, you typically need strong writing skills, a good understanding of cooking and food preparation, and the ability to develop clear, detailed recipes. Many successful recipe writers have a background in culinary arts or food journalism and use tools like food photography and editing software to enhance their work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Recipe Writer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Recipe Writer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Recipe Writer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Recipe Writer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Recipe Writer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Recipe Writer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Recipe Writer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $52,042 per year, or $25 per hour.

Recipe Developer

Purple Carrot

Chicago, IL • On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

About Purple Carrot
Founded in 2014, Purple Carrot delivers clean, long-lasting energy through the power of plants. As the only company in America devoted entirely to plant-based eating, we have spent over a decade perfecting the balance of protein and fiber that only plants can provide. Offering chef-crafted, dietitian-designed meals delivered right to your door, we make plant-forward eating effortless, flexible, and endlessly exciting. Our menu spans quick weeknight dishes, occasion-worthy dinners, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals.
Purple Carrot prioritizes taste and flexibility, offering no membership fees, the freedom to skip or unskip weekly deliveries whenever you want, and a no-pressure, cancel-anytime policy. We pride ourselves on doing plants better than anyone else - and we have the receipts to prove it.
Description
We are looking for a Recipe Developer to join our mission-driven team. As an integral part of the Culinary department, you will join forces with the Director of Culinary (to whom you will also report) in our continued effort to inspire people to eat more plants!
We are looking for candidates who are obsessed with food, highly creative, and enjoy collaborating in both small and large groups.
This position will play an important role in Purple Carrot's continued effort to cultivate the plant-based revolution - one meal at a time, through delicious, well-executed recipes.
As the Recipe Developer, you will be focused on end-to-end culinary recipe development from ideation through initial editorial steps, day-to-day test kitchen operations, and close partnership with Creative and Content teams to bring recipes to life across photoshoots and brand initiatives.
We greatly thank all applicants; however, only those under serious consideration will be contacted.
Location
  • This role is based in Chicago, IL, with on-site presence 3-5 days per week at our Culinary office and studio (West Town & Fulton Market) and creative and production partners as needed.

On the Plate
  • Drive end-to-end culinary recipe development from ideation through initial editorial steps, within menu timelines, operational guidelines, and nutrition and budget goals.
  • Own continual testing and optimization of Purple Carrot's recipes to improve customer experience, with a focus on ease, nutrition, and budget.
  • Accurately formulate, test, and document all recipes in accordance with standards set by the Director of Culinary.
  • Evaluate all recipes during development and team tastings, grounding decisions in recipe data and customer insights.
  • Contribute innovative, trend-forward recipe concepts through ongoing research and concept generation.
  • Manage day-to-day kitchen operations, including inventory, maintenance, and cleanliness.
  • Collaborate on photoshoot prep, styling, and execution in partnership with the Creative team.
  • Manage the intake and documentation of all sample products.
  • Assist with ad-hoc projects and tasks as necessary.

Main Ingredients for the Role
  • 5+ years of experience as a line cook, chef, or recipe developer; test kitchen experience a plus.
  • Culinary degree and/or related professional cooking experience.
  • Recipe writing experience, with food styling experience for e-commerce or editorial use.
  • Proficiency in Google Suite, especially Google Sheets.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Physically able to stand for long periods and lift up to 35 lbs as needed.
  • Able to commute to the Chicago office/studio as required for this role.

Extra Special Sauce
  • Experience developing a wide range of recipe categories, including multiple serving sizes, dessert, and large-batch prepared.
  • Experience in meal kit or prepared recipe development.
  • Comfortable being on camera for social and marketing content, with a natural, engaging presence that reflects the fun and vibrant tone of our brand.
  • Experience using Asana project management platform.
  • Brings creativity and positivity to ambiguity, comfortable brainstorming and iterating with Culinary and Marketing on brand initiatives.

Compensation
The anticipated base salary range for this role is $60,000- $70,000. Compensation is based on experience and qualifications, and the posted range is not a guarantee of any specific offer.
Garnish
We love our staff, and show it with benefits (including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, FSA, and life insurance), matching retirement plan, generous and flexible paid time off, Purple Carrot box delivery credits, professional development, and the opportunity to work in collaboration with teammates who are passionate about food!
Final Touches
We are committed to a safe and inclusive work environment, free of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetics, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, mental or physical disability, handicap, veteran status, or marital status.