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Research Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vespertine

Research and Development Chef

Culver City, CA

$80K - $100K/yr

SUMMARY OF POSITION The R&D Chef is a collaborative culinary leadership role working closely with Chef/Owner Jordan Kahn and the Director of Culinary to develop, refine, and bring ideas to fruition ...

PepsiCo

Jr Research Chef/Mixologist

Purchase, NY · On-site +1

$73K - $122K/yr

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and R&D, to ensure mixology initiatives align with broader business objectives. * Enhance the consumer beverage experience by ...

PepsiCo

Jr Research Chef/Mixologist

Valhalla, NY · On-site +1

$73K - $122K/yr

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and R&D, to ensure mixology initiatives align with broader business objectives. * Enhance the consumer beverage experience by ...

PepsiCo

Jr Research Chef/Mixologist

Purchase, NY · On-site +1

$73K - $122K/yr

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and R&D, to ensure mixology initiatives align with broader business objectives. * Enhance the consumer beverage experience by ...

PepsiCo

Jr Research Chef/Mixologist

Valhalla, NY · On-site

$73K - $122K/yr

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and R&D, to ensure mixology initiatives align with broader business objectives. * Enhance the consumer beverage experience by ...

PepsiCo

Jr Research Chef/Mixologist

Valhalla, NY · On-site +1

$73K - $122K/yr

Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, and R&D, to ensure mixology initiatives align with broader business objectives. * Enhance the consumer beverage experience by ...

Sargento

Executive Corporate Chef

Elkhart Lake, WI · On-site

Independently develops and maintains relationships with key, strategic FSI customer chefs and has ... Collaborates with and provides additional product development support with R&D to meet customer ...

Kagome Inc.

Business Development Chef

San Carlos, CA · On-site

Work with Kagome R&D managers and scientists to develop products/ideas/applications that meet ... Certified Research Chef or Certified Culinary Scientist, a plus * Years and Type of Related ...

KAGOME, Inc.

Business Development Chef

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$77K - $127K/yr

Work with Kagome R&D managers and scientists to develop products/ideas/applications that meet ... Certified Research Chef or Certified Culinary Scientist, a plus * Years and Type of Related ...

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Research Chef information

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$46K

$83.8K

$133K

How much do research chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for research chef in the United States is $83,794.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $117,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research chef?

A research chef, also known as a culinary scientist, combines culinary arts with food science to develop new recipes, food products, and menu items. They often work for food manufacturers, restaurant chains, or research and development labs, focusing on creating innovative foods that are both tasty and safe. Research chefs collaborate with food scientists, nutritionists, and marketing teams to ensure products meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and consumer preferences. Their role is essential in bringing new food concepts from the kitchen to large-scale production.

How does a Research Chef typically collaborate with product development and marketing teams?

A Research Chef works closely with product development teams to translate culinary concepts into scalable food products, ensuring flavor, texture, and appearance meet both culinary and manufacturing standards. They also partner with marketing teams to align product features with current food trends and consumer preferences, often participating in taste panels and brainstorming sessions. This collaborative approach ensures that new products are both innovative and commercially viable, and fosters a dynamic work environment where ideas from multiple disciplines are integrated into the final product.

How to become a certified research chef?

Research chefs typically do not require formal certification but benefit from culinary degrees, experience in food science, and knowledge of food safety standards. Some may pursue certifications such as ServSafe or specialized food science credentials to enhance their expertise and credibility in the field.

What is a R&D chef?

An R&D chef, or research and development chef, is responsible for creating and testing new food products, recipes, and formulations for a company. They often work in test kitchens, collaborate with product development teams, and use culinary skills and food science knowledge to innovate and improve offerings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Chef, you need a strong background in culinary arts combined with food science knowledge, often supported by a culinary degree and experience in product development. Familiarity with food safety standards, recipe management software, and laboratory equipment is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you innovate and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure the successful development of safe, appealing, and market-ready food products that meet consumer and industry needs.

What do research chefs do?

Research chefs develop and test new food products, recipes, and flavor combinations for food companies or restaurants. They analyze ingredients, conduct sensory evaluations, and use culinary skills to improve or create offerings, often working with food scientists and product development teams.

What Does a Research Chef Do?

A research chef is a culinary professional who oversees the research and development of new recipes and food products. As a research chef, your responsibilities include assessing current offerings, working with food scientists to brainstorm concepts, and developing new recipes and products. You work in a test kitchen, either alone or with a team, to develop and test new foods for restaurants or food manufacturers. Your job is to be innovative and creative in your quest to meet consumer desires and the manufacturer or restaurants needs.

What is the difference between Research Chef vs Food Scientist?

AspectResearch ChefFood Scientist
Required CredentialsCooking skills, culinary training, sometimes culinary degreesDegree in food science, chemistry, or related field
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, food companiesLaboratories, research facilities, manufacturing plants
Employer & Industry UsageFood manufacturing, product development, culinary innovationFood production, quality control, research & development

Research Chefs focus on developing new food products through culinary expertise and practical testing, often working in kitchens and food companies. Food Scientists typically conduct scientific research to improve food safety, quality, and processing, working mainly in labs. Both roles are essential in food innovation but differ in their approach and work environment.

What is the highest paid chef job?

The highest paid chef roles are executive chefs, head chefs, or culinary directors in high-end restaurants, hotels, or corporate food services, with salaries often exceeding $100,000 annually. Specialized roles such as consulting chefs or culinary entrepreneurs can also earn higher incomes depending on experience and reputation.
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Research Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Chef job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 35% Full Time, 54% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,794 per year, or $40.3 per hour.
Research Chef

Research Chef

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

New Brunswick, NJ • On-site

$110K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

International Flavors & Fragrances rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 38 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 518 rated manufacturers

Job description

Job Summary
Are you passionate about transforming culinary creativity into innovative solutions that shape the future of food?
IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products. Taste: Crafting unique, technology-enabled flavor designs that define the identity of food and beverage brands, shape trends in flavor building, and fuel market success.
Where You'll Make a Difference
  • Serve as the primary culinary liaison for key food service accounts, delivering best-in-class customer collaboration and support.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with customer research chefs and culinary teams.
  • Partner with Flavorists, Seasoning Flavorists, and Scientists to leverage IFF's technical capabilities and accelerate customer growth.
  • Lead culinary innovation through full product design, applying creativity, scientific understanding, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Independently develop market-preferred solutions through benchtop product development, technical innovation, and consumer insights.
  • Share culinary knowledge by teaching colleagues core cooking fundamentals and emerging industry trends.
  • Mentor team members by providing guidance, coaching, and development opportunities for future project leadership.
  • Support the regional implementation of new technologies by identifying appropriate applications and executing trials.
  • Apply a clear understanding of the IFF Innovation process to ensure timely, high-quality project execution.

What Makes You the Right Fit
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in restaurants, hospitality, or manufacturing environments.
  • Experience as a Corporate Chef preferred.
  • University/College degree in Culinary Arts and/or Food Science.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal abilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to balance creativity with commercial understanding and customer focus.
  • Willingness to travel up to 40%.

How Would You Stand Out?
  • Demonstrated success supporting strategic food service customers or global accounts.
  • Experience working in culinary-driven innovation environments.
  • Strong ability to translate consumer insights into compelling culinary concepts.

Why Choose Us?
  • A collaborative, innovative culture that values diverse perspectives.
  • Global career development opportunities.
  • Purpose-driven work shaping the future of taste and food innovation.
  • Comprehensive benefits package tailored to your region.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
Salary Ranges:
$110088- $137610

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