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Research And Development Chef Jobs in Milwaukee, WI

Sysco

Sales Representative

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

... or Chef looking for career development opportunities? Join Sysco's World Class Sales Team and ... Research customer business needs and develops a mix of products and service to meet needs.

Cliftonlarsonallen

Framework Developer Senior

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$53.75 - $71/hr

Research, evaluate and integrate new technologies and tools to enhance development efficiency and ... Familiarity with configuration management tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, Chef, Puppet)

All JobsResearch And Development Chef JobsResearch And Development Chef Jobs in Milwaukee, WI

Research And Development Chef information

See Milwaukee, WI salary details

$47.8K

$100.3K

$162.6K

How much do research and development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development chef in Milwaukee, WI is $100,291.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,400.00 and $114,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research and development chef?

Research and Development (R&D) Chefs are culinary professionals who create, test, and refine new recipes and food products for restaurants, food manufacturers, or hospitality companies. They work in kitchens and labs to innovate dishes, improve existing menu items, and ensure products meet quality, taste, and safety standards. R&D Chefs often collaborate with marketing, production, and nutrition teams to bring new culinary concepts to market. Their role combines creativity, technical culinary skills, and knowledge of food science.

How does a research and development chef typically collaborate with other departments during the product development process?

A Research and Development Chef works closely with departments such as marketing, quality assurance, and production throughout the product development process. They often participate in cross-functional meetings to align culinary innovation with consumer trends, production capabilities, and regulatory requirements. Effective communication is essential, as the R&D Chef must translate creative ideas into scalable recipes while ensuring food safety and quality standards are met. This collaborative approach helps streamline the launch of new menu items or products and ensures that everyone is aligned from concept to commercialization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research and development chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research and Development Chef, you need expertise in culinary techniques, food science, and recipe development, often supported by a culinary degree or equivalent professional experience. Familiarity with product development tools, food safety regulations, sensory evaluation methods, and sometimes certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help you innovate and work effectively across teams. These skills are vital to create appealing, safe, and commercially viable food products that meet consumer and market demands.

What is the difference between Research And Development Chef vs Food Scientist?

AspectResearch And Development ChefFood Scientist
CredentialsCulinary degree, culinary certificationsDegree in food science, chemistry, or related field
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, R&D labs, food companiesLaboratories, research facilities, food manufacturing plants
Industry UsageFood product development, recipe innovationFood safety, quality control, product testing
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Research And Development Chefs focus on creating new recipes and culinary innovations, often working in kitchens and food companies. Food Scientists analyze food properties, ensuring safety and quality in labs. While both roles contribute to food product development, R&D Chefs emphasize culinary creativity, whereas Food Scientists focus on scientific analysis and safety protocols.

How much do research and development chefs make?

Research and development chefs typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer size. Senior R&D chefs or those working for large food companies can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $100,000 with specialized skills and certifications.

How to become a research and development chef?

To become a research and development chef, individuals typically need a culinary degree or extensive cooking experience, along with knowledge of food science and product development. Skills in experimentation, creativity, and understanding of food safety are essential, and experience in a professional kitchen or food industry is often required. Certifications in food safety or culinary innovation can also enhance prospects.

What are popular job titles related to Research And Development Chef jobs in Milwaukee, WI?

For Research And Development Chef jobs in Milwaukee, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research And Development Chef jobs in Milwaukee, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Research And Development Chef jobs in Milwaukee, WI are:

What cities near Milwaukee, WI are hiring for Research And Development Chef jobs?

Cities near Milwaukee, WI with the most Research And Development Chef job openings:

Research And Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research And Development Chef job openings in Milwaukee, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,291 per year, or $48.2 per hour.

Culinary Operations Specialist

Midwest Foods

Kenosha, WI

$22 - $24/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Edible Cuts Inc. is at the forefront of food innovation, delivering premium, scalable culinary solutions for retail and foodservice markets. We specialize in creating exceptional, high-quality food products that meet rigorous regulatory standards, align with current market trends, and delight consumers.

We are hiring a Food Innovation & Product Development Assistant to join our culinary innovation team in Kenosha. If you have a passion for Food, Health, and Nutrition, and the culinary skills to bring new concepts to life, we want to meet you.

Job Description:

This is not a typical line cook position. You will work directly with our Culinary Director to take products from the test kitchen to full-scale production. You will be the bridge between culinary creativity and manufacturing reality, ensuring every new product meets our rigorous standards for quality, taste, and safety.

- R&D Testing: Assist in recipe development, shelf-life studies, and rigorous product testing.

- Hands-On Innovation: Weigh, measure, and document ingredients with scientific precision.

- Ingredient Discovery: Research, taste, and review ingredients from all over the world.

- Scale-Up Success: Help transition prototypes into mass production by generating precise SOPs and batch formulas.

- Regulatory Compliance: Collaborate with QA to ensure all products meet USDA, FDA, and GMP standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Culinary Background: Formal culinary training or degree, with demonstrated experience as a Sous Chef, Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, or entry-level R&D culinary role.

Production Knowledge: Hands-on experience transitioning recipes from kitchen prototypes to large-scale production runs, proficiency in writing batch formulas and SOPs.

Leadership: Proven ability to manage high-volume prep schedules, organize large-scale ingredients, and develop kitchen staff.

Precision & Documentation: Detail-oriented approach to ingredient measurement, recipe documentation, and process improvement.

Technical Proficiency: Working knowledge of food safety and production protocols; proficiency with Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Sheets).

Collaboration: Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally alongside Production, QA, Procurement.

BENEFITS

Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Life & Disability: Employer-provided Life and Disability Insurance

Retirement: 401(k) with employer matching

Paid Time Off: Paid Vacation, PTO, and Sick Leave

Pay:

$22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Schedule:

Monday – Friday 6am – 2:30pm W/Flexibility as needed

Benefits:

  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

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