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Research Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chef

Altamont, NY

$25 - $29/hr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or sous chef * Certification from culinary school preferred

This is a rare opportunity to work within a collaborative, research-driven environment focused on ... Collaborate closely with Chef Jordan Kahn and leadership team * Ensure a cohesive, calm, and ...

LUMCON has provided unparalleled opportunities in marine science and education to the research ... LUMCON is seeking a Chef for the RV Pelican. LUMCON vessels support science operations and ...

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * ServeSafe or Food Handlers Certification * Advanced ...

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Chef

Verona, KY · On-site

$48K - $50K/yr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

R&D Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

As the R&D Chef at Farmer's Fridge, you will be the creative engine behind our ever-evolving menu. You'll create delicious and scalable recipes to fill our core menu as well as building velocity and ...

Chef

Wall, NJ

$75K - $85K/yr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Chef

San Francisco, CA

$18.07 - $23/hr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

R&D Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

As the R&D Chef at Farmer's Fridge, you will be the creative engine behind our ever-evolving menu. You'll create delicious and scalable recipes to fill our core menu as well as building velocity and ...

Chef

Brookfield, WI

$15 - $20/hr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Chef

Decatur, GA · On-site

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Chef

Verona, KY

$48K - $50K/yr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Chef

Verona, KY · On-site

$48K - $50K/yr

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

Create menus according to season and customer research * Set up the kitchen with necessary tools ... Previous experience as a chef or cook * Certification from culinary school preferred * ServeSafe or ...

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Showing results 1-20

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.
What cities are hiring for Research Chef jobs? Cities with the most Research Chef job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Chef jobs? The most popular types of Research Chef jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Research Chef jobs? The top employers for Research Chef jobs are:
What states have the most Research Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Chef jobs include:
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.
Sr. Manager of Culinary Development

Sr. Manager of Culinary Development

Boar's Head Brand

Phoenix, AZ

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Boar's Head rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 32 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

146th of 383 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Hiring Company: Delicatessen Services Co., LLCOverview:Boar's Head Brand is seeking a strong candidate with dynamic and polished relationship driven professional with a strong knowledge and passion for food and the retail foodservice industry. In this role, the candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing new Prepared Foods products, programs and foodservice concepts in both manufacturing and retail environments, enabling the Boar's Head Brand to bring fresh, innovative, and trendsetting products. The Prepared Foods, Culinary Development Senior Manager will allow retail/foodservice customers as well our Local Purveyors and Sales teams to growth sales while promoting and protecting the Boar's Head Brand. Duties include food production management, ordering, managing labor, quality assurance, sanitation and staff relations.Job Description:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Represent, protect and grow our Brand across all business channels by elaborating on trend recipes across multiple dayparts.
  • Collaborate under the direction of the Ass. Director of Culinary Development and in conjunction with the Prepared Foods team.
  • Maintain strategic accountability for all product development and research, including management and scheduling of test kitchen facilities and collaboration with Commercialization Manager.
  • Builds and nurtures customer relationships that separate Boar's Head Experience from competition.
  • Develop effective build sheets and training materials to insure the ability to execute at both store level and at central manufacturing facilities.
  • Sells a premium brand as a food solution by generating concrete value added propositions to Chefs and retailers.
  • Creates effective and simple demonstration recipes and techniques that effectively help Distributors to sell the "better because aspect" into foodservice accounts.
  • Assist in menu development for retail and foodservice concepts, including on-site training and evaluation of operations.
  • Determine how to get the most utility across product lines. Understand the benefits of additional sales opportunities and secondary opportunities for selling products, reducing overall shrink risk.
  • Design and implement new products in high volume facilities. When possible be on-site for initial product runs to ensure first runs meet document organoleptic measures.
  • Actively supports training and development team in Sarasota and New York with Best- Practices and trainer leadership. Routinely shares relevant best-practices with internal network.
  • Analyze customer menus to create and communicate Boar's Head Products into unique, versatile and operational concepts.
  • Organize, schedule and conduct off-site demonstrations with clients to illustrate the benefits of various BH products and their potential applications.
  • Research, create, and write recipes that are scalable in retail and commissary environments.
  • Engage with professional affiliations (ACF, WCR, Catersource) to showcase Boar's Head commitment to Culinary Arts while networking for business development.
  • Maintain current and up-to-date on evolving all food and culinary trends with focus on global and domestic influences.
  • Assist clients and Local Purveyors in development of new culinary and Grab & Go programs.
  • Possess well-developed ability to taste and evaluate food with a strong ability to accurately communicate findings using sensory-based language.
  • Ability to communicate important details from customer, Local Purveyor meetings and other interactions to internal team members using communication tools in an accurate and timely manner. Preference is to provide written documentation (i.e minutes meeting, call report, photographs...).
  • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience

  • Associate degree in Culinary Arts, or Certified Research Chef preferred
  • Additional BS in Food Science preferred or related discipline
  • ACF Certification
  • 7-10 years of field experience as an Executive/Corporate Chef or Chef de Cuisine.
  • At least 5 years of progressive broad and deep product innovation, value generation, and commercialization experience required.
  • Knows difference with premium brands vs. value drivers
  • A mix of career experiences across culinary, R&D, and QA is desirable
Skills / Abilities
  • Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft office: excel, word, outlook, and power point; competencies: e-mail, cell phones etc.
  • Excellent organizational skills to include time/project management skills and the ability to prioritize projects based on business.
  • Be a self-starter: i.e. be able to recognize, analyze, develop solutions and initiate problem solving action with very little information and/or direction.
  • Ability to coordinate off site training sessions, communicate with on site management and/or distributors.
  • Demonstrate above average problem solving abilities
  • Ability to present at all levels.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization, particularly with Local Purveyors, Product Managers, Channel Sales and cross functional teams
  • Highly motivated self-starter with results orientation
  • Work independently and/or with teams
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects
  • Ability to manage and control, under specific criteria, budget and expenses
  • Be able to travel extensively utilizing commercial flights, automobile and other forms of transportation
  • Understanding dynamics of commercial and non-commercial channels

Language Skills

  • Must be fluent in English (oral and written)

Mathematical Skills

  • Intermediate to Advanced math skills required - ability to convert grams to lbs, oz to kg, and be able to properly quantify recipes, formulas, etc.

Reasoning Ability

  • Position requires the ability to work independently, exercise good judgement and be proactive. The candidate must also maintain confidentiality to ensure the integrity of the department is not jeopardized.

Work Environment

  • This position involves up to approximately 35% travel utilizing commercial flights, automobile and other forms of transportation. The remainder of time is spend in an office environment.
Location:Phoenix, AZTime Type:Full timeDepartment:Sales Office

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