1

Research Development Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Executive Chef

Greenbrae, CA · On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

Take advantage of outstanding career growth, professional development, and advancement ... Research customer preferences and develops a menu which incorporates local foods and flavors.

Executive Chef

Greenbrae, CA · On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

Take advantage of outstanding career growth, professional development, and advancement ... Research customer preferences and develops a menu which incorporates local foods and flavors.

Head Chef

Culver City, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Head Chef Lead and manage all restaurant operations in partnership with the General Manager to ... Work with Home Office support (Culinary Operations Director, Director of Restaurants, R&D, finance ...

Head Chef

Culver City, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Head Chef Lead and manage all restaurant operations in partnership with the General Manager to ... Work with Home Office support (Culinary Operations Director, Director of Restaurants, R&D, finance ...

Description Head Chef Lead and manage all restaurant operations in partnership with the General ... Work with Home Office support (Culinary Operations Director, Director of Restaurants, R&D, finance ...

... research-based programming with best-in-class care and a resident-centered approach. Our ... Belmont Village is dedicated to the growth and development of our team members, offering a wide ...

Chef de Cuisine

Napa, CA

$86K - $118K/yr

The CDC works closely with the Executive Chef to bring Bear's culinary vision to life while ... Culinary Leadership & Menu Development Menu Planning & Innovation Lead all menu planning, R&D, and ...

Our Chefs are passionate about developing innovative, focused, and thoughtful individuals that will ... Maintain and enhance the food products through creative menu research and development * Balance ...

New

Venues Sous Chef

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Our Chefs are passionate about developing innovative, focused, and thoughtful individuals that will ... Maintain and enhance the food products through creative menu research and development * Balance ...

New

Chef de Cuisine

Napa, CA · On-site

$86K - $118K/yr

The CDC works closely with the Executive Chef to bring Bear's culinary vision to life while ... Culinary Leadership & Menu Development • Menu Planning & Innovation Lead all menu planning, R&D, ...

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 ...

Finance & Accounting Manager

Fremont, CA · On-site

$105K - $130K/yr

Establish finance as a trusted resource for Fremont Operations, R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain, and ... At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ...

Sous Chef

Stanford, CA · On-site

$58K - $79K/yr

Stanford University is one of the world's leading teaching and research universities. Founded in ... Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: -Ability to suggest and execute creative menu development ...

Director

Fremont, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Capturing tomorrow's opportunities means embracing disruption and transformation today. Koch ... Experience in corporate business development or mergers & acquisitions or business investments

Showing results 41-60

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 Aug 20, 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:

Infographic showing various Research Development Chef job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,461 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Executive Chef

Compass Group

Greenbrae, CA • On-site

$115K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,091 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

346th of 494 rated business services


Job description

Pay Grade: 14 

Salary: $115,000 - $120,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

With people as our core and a deep commitment to exceptional hospitality, CCL Hospitality Group has a philosophy rooted in caring for the individuals who care for our guests. Our most significant competitive advantage is our team members. We constantly strive to strengthen our service culture. Every team member knows they matter and owns a stake in our success, delivering hospitality excellence.

With four distinct operating companies – Morrison Living, Unidine, Coreworks, and The Hub, we are shaping the industry’s future leaders with a culture of service focused on elevated hospitality for community living across the country. Join us and discover how we drive mutual success that leaves lasting impressions.

Executive Chef – Retirement Community Dining
  • Ready for a change from restaurant nights, weekends, and holidays?
  • Bring your culinary talent to a community where residents truly appreciate exceptional food and hospitality.
  • Create restaurant-quality dining experiences while building meaningful relationships with residents and guests.
  • Enjoy a better work-life balance with a more predictable schedule.
  • Lead and develop a talented culinary team committed to excellence.
  • Elevate dining programs that rival the best hospitality and fine dining experiences.
  • Join Compass Group, one of the world's largest and most respected foodservice organizations.
  • Take advantage of outstanding career growth, professional development, and advancement opportunities.
  • Receive competitive compensation, strong benefits, and a rewarding work environment.
Why Chefs Make the Move
  • More time for family and personal life
  • Greater connection with the people you serve
  • Opportunities for creativity and innovation
  • A stronger sense of purpose and fulfillment

Job Summary:

An inspirational and organized leader who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves to ensure the overall success of daily kitchen operations including recruiting, training, and food preparation. The Executive Chef will showcase culinary talents through the delivery of show quality food through personal involvement in task performance while developing and empowering the onsite staff.  Works to continually improve resident, employee, and client satisfaction while maximizing the financial performance in all areas of responsibility. Will deliver on company objectives by ensuring monthly budget, food and labor costs are met and, the safe handling of food by following safety & sanitation protocols.

Leading Culinary Operation: 

  • Lead daily culinary production in preparation and production of meals, food quality and presentation, compliance with all safety and sanitation standards and regulation, team member productivity and performance, cost controls and overall profitability.
  • Determines how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
  • Provide direction on menu development based on product availability; creates distinctive specials that incorporate seasonal or special ingredients.
  • Seeks out sources for fresh food; monitors all produce and meat for freshness.
  • Maintain product consistency by conducting inspections of seasonings, portion, and appearance of food.
  • Research customer preferences and develops a menu which incorporates local foods and flavors.
  • Prepares and cooks foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.
  • Demonstrate new cooking techniques and equipment to staff.
  • Supervises and coordinates activities of cooks and workers engaged in food preparation.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, local and company health, safety, sanitation standards.
  • Provides guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
  • Communicates the importance of safety procedures, detailing procedure codes, ensuring employee understanding of safety codes, monitoring processes and procedures related to safety.
  • Monitors the quality of raw and cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
  • Follows and enforces food safety and sanitation guidelines.
  • Maintains purchasing, receiving and food storage standards.

Business & Financial Acumen:

  • Participates in the development and implementation of business strategies for the community which are aligned with the client’s overall mission, vision values and strategies.
  • Manages department controllable expenses including food cost, supplies, uniforms, and equipment.
  • Develops and implements guidelines and control procedures for purchasing and receiving areas.
  • Analyze financial and operational information on an ongoing basis to adjust business plans, labor requirements, and operating costs.
  • Develop, implement, and manage the department's budget; continually analyze, forecast, monitor, and control the labor and food costs through various methods to meet/exceed management/budget objectives.
  • Identify major revenue and expense opportunities and possible problems.
  • Controls food cost, labor, and other expenses; monitors actual versus budgeted expenses.
  • Oversees the food inventory, purchasing, control, and disbursement of all food supplies.
  • Schedules staff based upon forecasted volumes.

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service:

  • Creates 100% resident satisfaction by providing team members with the training and resources they need to maximize team member engagement and deliver best in class service.
  • Professional attitude and appearance while engaging with residents and community staff.
  • Improves service by communicating and assisting individuals to understand guest needs, providing guidance, feedback, and individual coaching when needed.
  • Provides and supports service behaviors that are above and beyond for customer satisfaction and retention.
  • Empowers employees to provide excellent customer service. Establishes guidelines so employees understand expectations and parameters. Ensures employees receive on-going training to understand guest expectations.
  • Ensures that employees provide genuine hospitality and teamwork on an ongoing basis.
  • Uses teamwork to support guests and employees.
  • Seeks opportunities to improve the customer experience by seeking resident feedback and developing strategies to improve department.
  • Reviews resident satisfaction results and other data to identify areas of improvement.
  • Responds to and handles guest problems and complaints.

Team Building and Management:

  • Regularly lead team member meetings
  • Establishes goals including performance goals, budget goals, team goals, etc.
  • Solicits employee feedback, utilizes an "open door" policy and reviews employee satisfaction results to identify and address employee problems or concerns.
  • Develops and implements strategies and practices which support team member engagement.
  • Ensures employees are treated fairly and equitably.
  • Provides team members with the training needed to understand expectations and perform job responsibilities.
  • Provides team members with the necessary tools to perform their duties and responsibilities.
  • Communicates performance expectations and provides team members with on-going feedback.
  • Provides team members with coaching and counseling as needed to achieve performance objectives and reach their fullest potential.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • A.S. or equivalent experience
  • Minimum 5 years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training.
  • Extensive catering experience a plus
  • High volume, complex foodservice operations experience - highly desirable
  • Institutional and batch cooking experiences
  • Hands-on chefs experience a must.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
  • Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E-mail and the Internet
  • Must be willing to participate in client satisfaction programs/activities. 
  • ServSafe certified - highly desirable.
Job Summary

Apply to CCL today!

CCL is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

 

Associates at CCL are offered many fantastic benefits. 

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_CCL.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/ 

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

CCL maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1541122

CCL Hospitality Group

JULIA KOWALSKI

[[req_classification]]


What Compass Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom