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Research Development Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Private Listing

Head Pastry Chef

Culver City, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Work directly with the Chef/Owner on menu development and R&D * Manage ordering, inventory, recipes, and food and labor costs * Maintain consistently high standards for quality, presentation, and ...

Private Listing

Head Pastry Chef

Culver City, CA

$90K/yr

Work directly with the Chef/Owner on menu development and R&D * Manage ordering, inventory, recipes, and food and labor costs * Maintain consistently high standards for quality, presentation, and ...

San Pablo Lytton Casino

$74K - $102K/yr

The Chef De Cuisine will also drive menu research and development for all food outlets, ensure menu development timelines are met, direct and manage all Back of House (BOH) staff to achieve ...

Lytton Rancheria

Chef De Cuisine

San Pablo, CA · On-site

$85K/yr

The Chef De Cuisine will also drive menu research and development for all food outlets, ensure menu development timelines are met, direct and manage all BOH staff to achieve executions expectations.

Lytton Rancheria

Chef De Cuisine

San Pablo, CA · On-site

$85K/yr

The Chef De Cuisine will also drive menu research and development for all food outlets, ensure menu development timelines are met, direct and manage all BOH staff to achieve executions expectations.

San Pablo Lytton Casino

Chef De Cuisine

San Pablo, CA · On-site

$74K - $102K/yr

The Chef De Cuisine will also drive menu research and development for all food outlets, ensure menu development timelines are met, direct and manage all Back of House (BOH) staff to achieve ...

Pomona College

Chef Manager

Claremont, CA · On-site

... research and leadership opportunities. Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges. JOB PURPOSE ... Participate in hiring, staff training and development and supervision of production staff.

Pomona College

Chef Manager

Claremont, CA · On-site

... research and leadership opportunities. Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges. JOB PURPOSE ... Participate in hiring, staff training and development and supervision of production staff.

Moxie Restaurant Ventures LLC

Sous Chef

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$57K - $77K/yr

The Sous Chef serves as a leader, mentor, and role model within the kitchen, ensuring that every ... Support menu research and development initiatives. * Contribute ideas that elevate the culinary ...

Moxie Restaurant Ventures LLC

Sous Chef

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$57K - $77K/yr

The Sous Chef serves as a leader, mentor, and role model within the kitchen, ensuring that every ... Support menu research and development initiatives. * Contribute ideas that elevate the culinary ...

Gravitas Beverly Hills

Sous Chef

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$57K - $77K/yr

The Sous Chef serves as a leader, mentor, and role model within the kitchen, ensuring that every ... Support menu research and development initiatives. * Contribute ideas that elevate the culinary ...

My Father's Barbeque

Kitchen Chef

Carson, CA · On-site

$24/hr

Growth path to Sous Chef or 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 ...

Discovery Land Company

Sushi Chef

La Quinta, CA

Recommend or create new menu items utilizing research on new or local products, trends, and member ... development and upward mobility opportunities Work-Family Culture The Company's good faith estimate ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsResearch Development Chef JobsResearch Development Chef Jobs in California

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, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,461 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Regular Full-Time

Buena Park, CA

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Six Flags Entertainment Corporationexternal

$69K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Six Flags rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 533 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

The Pastry Chef is responsible for Overseeing the Bakery dept.  The role is responsible for crafting various delectable such as cakes, pies, tarts, and bread components in regards to Knott's Berry Farm Bakery and Pastry Standards. The Pastry Chef will coordinate with the Executive Sous Chef as well as the Executive Chef in pairing bread and desserts, ordering supplies, and planning and directing baking preparation as well as supervising a team of baking staff. It is essential to have comprehensive knowledge of managing PAR levels, budgets, and scheduling as well as other administrative tasks.

Salary Details: $69,750 - 93,000/yr., based on prior experience 


  • Ensures all food preparation personnel are properly trained and certified to perform their respective duties to meet division standards in conjunction with department managers.
  • Ensures the timely production of baked goods that Meet and/or Exceeds standards, includes meeting the demands of menu specialties and special catering event requests in collaboration 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 of new recipes and putting the chosen recipes into production.
  • Ensures that all facilities and employees meet all health and safety guidelines established by law and the Company, taking immediate corrective actions as appropriate. This includes conducting routine inspections of employees and facilities to ensure all Health Code requirements are consistently being met and appropriately corrected; and implementation and maintenance of appropriate temperature logs for food and equipment.
  • Orders food and supplies according to attendance projections and utilization levels to ensure timely availability of needed items; maintains inventory levels using FIFO method in all park facilities; takes appropriate and immediate corrective actions to address temporary shortages and immediate meets.
  • Craft various deserts from fondant icing, sugar crafting, candy making, cake designing, and fresh from scratch puddings, mousses, custards, muffins, cookies, brownies and various other deserts and baked goods.  Keep up with new trends and develop new menu items as needed.
  • Manages the inventory levels, the COGS and any financial aspect of the bakery dept.
  • Effective communicator, maintains communication with staff, and leadership as needed.  Responds to guest concerns as directed by leadership group.
  • Motivates and recognizes the team members. 

  • Bachelor's degree required, preferably in culinary arts.
  • ServSafe Food - Manager level certification required.
  • California Food Handler's Card.
  • Minimum 8-10 years of prior, work-related experience. 
  • Minimum 3-5 years of prior leadership, supervisory experience.
  • Computer skills including knowledge of word processors, spreadsheets, and e-mail.  Some type of Food trak or inventory system is a must.
  • Skilled Bread, pastry and cake production and development
  • Ability to work nights, weekends and holiday periods to meet business needs.
  • Ability to pass a mandatory (or random) drug test, per Company policy, unless prohibited by state or provincial law.
  • Ability to pass a background check, if 18 years of age or older, which may include, but is not limited to, credit, criminal, DMV, previous employment, education and personal references, per Company policy, unless prohibited by federal, state, or provincial law.

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