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Research Development Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Del Taco

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$89K - $110K/yr

JOB TITLE: R&D Chef FLSA STATUS: Exempt DEPARTMENT: Research and Development REPORTS TO: Director of Culinary Research & Development LOCATION: Lake Forest, CA Test Kitchen SALARY RANGE : $89,000 ...

Del Taco, LLC

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA

$89K - $110K/yr

JOB TITLE: R&D Chef FLSA STATUS: Exempt DEPARTMENT: Research and Development REPORTS TO: Director of Culinary Research & Development LOCATION: Lake Forest, CA Test Kitchen SALARY RANGE : $89,000 ...

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 ...

KAGOME, Inc.

Business Development Manager

Los Banos, CA · On-site

$77K - $127K/yr

... research and competitive analysis to uncover unmet needs and identify potential business segments ... Development Chef, to conceptualize and develop on-trend, scalable sauce solutions tailored to ...

AEG

Pastry Chef

Buena Park, CA · On-site

$69K - $93K/yr

The Pastry Chef will coordinate with the Executive Sous Chef as well as the Executive Chef in ... research, development, testing and sampling of new recipes and putting the chosen recipes into ...

Altius Search Group

Chef - Dim Sum

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

This role is focused on the research, development, and production of high-quality dim sum doughs ... Working from our central commissary kitchen, this chef will lead the development of innovative ...

Canada's Wonderland

Executive Sous Chef

Buena Park, CA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Collaborates with Executive Chef on menu development to ensure park menus keep pace with changing public tastes, trends, and food cost goals, including the research, development, testing and sampling ...

METEORA

Executive Chef

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$77K - $106K/yr

Support menu development, seasonal transitions, and R&D initiatives * Train, mentor, and develop culinary staff * Uphold sanitation, safety, and organizational systems * Collaborate closely with Chef ...

My Father's Barbeque

Kitchen Chef

Carson, CA · On-site

$24/hr

... R&D roles as the brand expands Health benefits and 401(k) after probation period Real creative input in new dishes and menu features Team meals and a family-first, no-ego environment Location: 637 ...

Salted

VP of Culinary

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

This role reports directly to our CEO and initially will manage a team of two (Culinary Director + R&D Chef). Responsibilities include: * Define and execute a cohesive culinary roadmap that aligns ...

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Research Development Chef information

See California salary details

$47.9K

$100.5K

$162.8K

How much do research development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for research development chef in California is $100,461.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a research development chef do?

A Research Development Chef is responsible for creating, testing, and refining new food products, recipes, and menu items, often for restaurants, food manufacturers, or retail brands. They blend culinary creativity with food science and market trends to develop innovative and scalable food concepts. Their role involves experimenting with ingredients, improving flavors, ensuring product consistency, and considering factors like cost, nutrition, and production feasibility.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a research development chef?

To thrive as a Research Development Chef, you need comprehensive culinary expertise, a deep understanding of food science, and often a degree in culinary arts or food technology. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, recipe management software, and food safety certifications like ServSafe is highly valuable. Creativity, problem-solving skills, and strong collaboration abilities help you excel when designing innovative recipes and working with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure you can successfully develop new food products that meet both culinary standards and market demands.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Development Chef jobs in California?

The most popular types of Research Development Chef jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Development Chef jobs in California?

For Research Development Chef jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Development Chef jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Development Chef jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Research Development Chef jobs?

Cities in California with the most Research Development Chef job openings:

Research Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Development Chef job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,461 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA • On-site

Del Taco
Food Services and Drinking Places • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Del Tacoexternal

$89K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Del Taco rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 93 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

JOB TITLE: R&D Chef
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
DEPARTMENT: Research and Development
REPORTS TO: Director of Culinary Research & Development
LOCATION: Lake Forest, CA Test Kitchen
SALARY RANGE: $89,000 - $110,000 / Annual
SUMMARY:
The position supports the organization in the identification, ideation, development and implementation of New Product initiatives and Innovation pipelines in support of the Brand vision and growth strategies, bringing Core Menu brand positioning to life through the optimization, benchmarking, testing and validation of current menu offerings. Skills required include a blend of highly developed culinary creativity with a demonstrated knowledge of food (a well-developed understanding of American/Mexican/Latin fusion inspired food is greatly preferred). Practical operational capabilities must include: food costing and related financial skills, practical experience with both quantitative and qualitative evaluation of foods and food equipment/procedures, effective utilization of vendor/supplier assets against strategic goals and a demonstrated ability to effectively train peers and unit-level internal partners in support of new product roll-outs.
Key responsibilities include: concept ideation; prototype development; manufacturer scale up, operational viability optimization, training and presentation of concepts and products, analytical evaluation of products, maintenance of the internal recipe and costing database and the efficient sourcing and management of the Test Kitchen product inventory.
Must demonstrate the ability to successfully manage multiple projects concurrently in a lean, dynamic and fast-paced culture.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Identify and present opportunities to optimize Core Menu products, procedures or workflow.
  • Liaise with Operations and various departments to provide culinary/R&D solutions and improvements to in-restaurant performance.
  • Support training department with the development and execution of operations procedure, job aids and in-field training.
  • Regularly audit unit-level execution of food and beverage initiatives, providing feedback and solutions for improvement.
  • Maintain and regularly update the internal recipe and recipe costing databases, yield calculations and vendor portfolio.
  • Partner with Purchasing and other departments on the development of packaging and procedural solutions for all products.
  • Prepare appropriate documentation and materials to ensure a seamless transition from Research and Development to key departments, including cost analysis.
  • Interact in partnership with Operations/Purchasing/QA to refine product specifications to deliver executional consistency, viability and recipe yields
  • Take on additional projects as required by department or concept. Partner with Purchasing on an as-needed basis to validate cost savings opportunities.
  • Support Marketing on projects requiring a culinary resource such as photo shoots
  • Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the test kitchen, test kitchen coolers and freezers, and all equipment and small wares. The test kitchen must be kept clean to company and county health department standards.
  • Assist R&D team with development and presentations.
  • Support the team to maintain our Research & Development plans and timelines, including key tasks and milestones to meet project due dates.
  • Perform technical functions, such as product yields, shelf life, time hold and improvements studies.
  • Set up and break down cooking stations.
  • May perform other responsibilities as assigned. Responsibilities and duties may change when circumstances dictate. (e.g., emergencies, changes in workload, rush projects, other tasks)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
NA
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • 2+ years minimum progressive experience as an R&D Chef/Executive Chef. Experience in the chain restaurant (QSR/Fast Casual) segment preferred.
  • Creativity: ability to identify opportunities and create new, innovative solutions. Strong analytical/investigative and troubleshooting skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects from start to finish while maintaining priorities and details
  • Culinary expertise: theoretical understanding and practical application of culinary principles.
  • Ability to create a prototype product solely from an idea. Can reverse engineer a finished product back to its source ingredients. Well-developed sense of taste, aesthetics, and value-drivers in food. Knowledge of American/Mexican/Latin cuisine.
  • Operations experience - is familiar and comfortable with the level of operational capabilities and equipment platforms within our category and is able to design products for success within those parameters.
  • Financial acumen: has experience in food costing, yield analysis and financial reporting.
  • Consumer driven: integrates consumer feedback, trends and insights into product development process.
  • Demonstrated ability to take direction, formulate a plan and execute that plan with limited direct supervision.
  • Demonstrates the exceptional attention to detail required when documenting formulations, inputting costs, evaluating products and managing multiple deliverables/timelines.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
  • Must openly engage and leverage knowledge and experience during cross-functional ideations, meetings and planning sessions.
  • Assist with culinary execution for specific PR initiatives
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Demonstrated strength presenting ideas in a food cutting, training, or PR initiative environment.
  • Must work well with diverse groups and support a working team relationship
  • High energy, positive, proactive, and flexible team player
  • Able to work independently, proactively, and communicate with the team (verbal and written)

COMPUTER SKILLS:
Good computer skills with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Power Point.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle or feel, and also to reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to stand and/or walk for extended periods of the workday.
Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Travel up to 20%

EQUIPMENT USED:
  • All relevant kitchen/food production equipment
  • Computer, fax, calculator, copier, phone.

Licenses / Permits Required:
• ServSafe Manager Certification (can be obtained once hired)
• Food Handler's Certificate (can be obtained once hired)
• Valid Driver License and reliable transportation

What Del Taco employees say

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About Del Taco

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We proudly work harder to make fast, awesome fresh Mexican food accessible to everyone, creating delightful moments for our guests. Working at Del Taco, you'll feel proud that you are part of an iconic brand, where we actually grill, shred and chop fresh ingredients. You'll feel proud that you have a chance to grow and earn more as you work through a realistic and achievable career path. It's not about JUST DOING IT, It's about BEING THE BEST at doing it. Learn more about being the best you can be.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Lake Forest, CA, US

Year founded

1964

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