ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Development Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Bon Appetit

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Additional Responsibilities Chef Development & Training * Design, coordinate, and deliver culinary training programs for chefs at all levels -- from line cooks and sous chefs to senior executive ...

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Additional Responsibilities Chef Development & Training * Design, coordinate, and deliver culinary training programs for chefs at all levels - from line cooks and sous chefs to senior executive chefs.

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA

Additional Responsibilities Chef Development & Training * Design, coordinate, and deliver culinary training programs for chefs at all levels -- from line cooks and sous chefs to senior executive ...

Lab37

Research & Development

Los Angeles, CA

$20 - $28/hr

Culinary R&D Associate, Robotic Kitchen Product Lab37 Robotics, is a technology company focused on ... In this role, you will work directly under our senior chefs to help bring new brands and menu ...

Honda Center

Senior Sous Chef

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

The Senior Sous Chef oversees the on-site culinary staff for events, supports menu development, and ... ensures the successful execution of large-scale banquet and catering functions. This position ...

OCVIBE

Senior Sous Chef

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

The Senior Sous Chef oversees the on-site culinary staff for events, supports menu development, and ensures the successful execution of large-scale banquet and catering functions. This position ...

OC Sports and Entertainment

Senior Sous Chef

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

The Senior Sous Chef oversees the on-site culinary staff for events, supports menu development, and ensures the successful execution of large-scale banquet and catering functions. This position ...

Compass Group

Sr Executive Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$83K - $115K/yr

Position Title: Sr Executive Chef Salary: 100,000-115,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion ... Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as ...

Compass Group

Sr Executive Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$83K - $115K/yr

Position Title: Sr Executive Chef Salary: 100,000-115,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion ... Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as ...

Bon Appetit

Sr Executive Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$83K - $115K/yr

Position Title: Sr Executive Chef Salary: 100,000-115,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion ... Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as ...

Compass Group

Sr Executive Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$83K - $115K/yr

Position Title: Sr Executive Chef Salary: 100,000-115,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion ... Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as ...

Eurest

Senior Chef Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

$90K - $95K/yr

Position Title: Sr. Chef Manager Salary: $90000 - $95000 As the leader in business and industry ... Maintains an active role in managing team developments * Manages purchasing and inventory controls

Cogir Senior Living

Temporary Executive Chef

Brentwood, CA · On-site

$90K - $95K/yr

Job Type Temporary Description THE COMPANY Cogir Senior Living, based in Scottsdale, Arizona ... This includes, but is not limited to, food procurement, preparation, and service; menu development ...

HumanGood

Executive Chef - Senior Living

Los Altos, CA · On-site

$125K/yr

The Executive Chef partners with the Director of Dining Services to deliver a high-quality ... team development, and disciplined execution of menus, recipes, food safety requirements, and ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsDevelopment Chef JobsSenior Development Chef JobsSenior Development Chef Jobs in California

Senior Development Chef information

See California salary details

$44.9K

$143K

$219.6K

How much do senior development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior development chef in California is $143,046.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $170,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are typical daily responsibilities for a senior development chef?

As a Senior Development Chef, your typical day involves creating and testing new recipes, working with product development teams, and collaborating closely with marketing, procurement, and production departments. You will oversee kitchen operations during trials, ensure compliance with food safety standards, and fine-tune recipes for large-scale production. The role frequently requires presenting concepts to clients or internal stakeholders and staying ahead of culinary trends to maintain a competitive edge. Balancing hands-on kitchen innovation with project management and cross-departmental communication is a key part of this position.

What is a senior development chef?

A Senior Development Chef is responsible for creating and developing new food products, improving existing recipes, and ensuring they meet market trends, customer preferences, and business objectives. They work closely with food manufacturers, restaurant chains, and suppliers to innovate and refine products. This role involves researching ingredients, testing recipes, and collaborating with teams to bring concepts from ideas to production while ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with food safety standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the senior development chef position?

A Senior Development Chef needs advanced culinary skills, significant experience in menu development, and a strong understanding of food trends and manufacturing processes, often supported by a relevant culinary qualification. Familiarity with recipe management software, food safety certifications, and product development systems is frequently required. Leadership, creativity, and excellent project management abilities are essential soft skills for success in this collaborative and innovative environment. These capabilities ensure the creation of commercially viable, high-quality products that meet client needs and industry standards.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Development Chef jobs in California? For Senior Development Chef jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Development Chef jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Development Chef jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Senior Development Chef jobs? Cities in California with the most Senior Development Chef job openings:
Senior Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Development Chef job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,046 per year, or $68.8 per hour.

Portfolio Project Chef

Bon Appetit

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Bon Appétit Management Company rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 68 rated caterers

Job description

Position Title: Portfolio Project Chef 

Salary:  135,000-150,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary
The Portfolio Project Chef (also titled Supervising Chef) serves as the operational arm of the National Culinary Director, translating culinary vision and strategy into consistent, scalable execution across a portfolio of corporate dining accounts throughout North America. This role bridges high-level culinary leadership with field-level coaching, ensuring that programs, standards, and initiatives are brought to life at every account. The Portfolio Project Chef is an experienced, formally trained culinary professional who understands the nuances of corporate dining environments and thrives on developing culinary teams at all levels.
 
Key Responsibilities
Operational Execution & Account Support
  • Partner with the National Culinary Director to roll out culinary strategies, seasonal programs, and menu initiatives across all portfolio accounts.
  • Support account-level culinary teams remotely and through scheduled engagement, helping assess operations, ensure compliance with brand standards, and provide guidance — distinct from the field-based site evaluation function handled by the Portfolio Field Chef role.
  • Troubleshoot operational challenges at accounts and implement corrective actions in partnership with on-site culinary leadership.
  • Support the onboarding of new accounts, including setup of culinary systems, workflows, and team orientation.
  • Serve as an on-the-ground resource during high-profile events, client activations, or periods of leadership transition at accounts.
 
Culinary Standards & Quality Assurance
  • Ensure consistent adherence to recipe standards, food safety protocols, plating guidelines, and quality benchmarks across all accounts.
  • Conduct culinary audits and produce structured reports with actionable recommendations for improvement.
  • Collaborate with the National Culinary Director to develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), recipe libraries, and culinary playbooks.
  • Monitor food and labor cost performance at accounts and work with on-site teams to identify and address variances.
Additional Responsibilities
Chef Development & Training
  • Design, coordinate, and deliver culinary training programs for chefs at all levels — from line cooks and sous chefs to senior executive chefs.
  • Identify skill gaps across the portfolio and develop targeted development plans for individuals and teams.
  • Mentor and coach on-site culinary leaders, providing both formal evaluations and ongoing informal guidance.
  • Facilitate workshops, culinary demonstrations, and team-building events that elevate craft and reinforce company culture.
  • Support succession planning by identifying and nurturing high-potential culinary talent across the portfolio.
 
Collaboration & Communication
  • Act as a key liaison between the National Culinary Director and account-level culinary teams, ensuring clear communication of priorities and expectations.
  • Participate in menu development, product testing, and vendor evaluations as directed.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, procurement, and client services teams to support account goals.
  • Prepare and present program updates, training summaries, and account assessments to the National Culinary Director on a regular cadence.
Qualifications
Education & Culinary Credentials
  • Culinary degree or diploma from an accredited culinary institute required (e.g., CIA, Johnson & Wales, Le Cordon Bleu, or equivalent).
  • Certifications such as ACF Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or equivalent professional credential strongly preferred.
  • ServSafe Manager Certification (or equivalent food safety credential) required.
 
Experience
  • Minimum 8–12 years of progressive culinary leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior executive chef, regional chef, or multi-unit culinary management role.
  • Demonstrated experience managing culinary operations across multiple locations or a large-volume, complex single site (e.g., corporate campus, healthcare system, higher education).
  • Substantial background in corporate dining, business & industry (B&I) foodservice, or contract food management strongly preferred.
  • Proven experience designing and delivering training programs for culinary teams.
  • Track record of managing food cost, labor cost, and operational budgets with measurable results.
 
Skills & Competencies
  • Exceptional culinary knowledge across a broad range of cuisines, cooking techniques, and dietary considerations (allergens, plant-based, wellness).
  • Strong organizational and project management skills; able to manage multiple priorities, accounts, and timelines simultaneously.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — equally effective coaching a line cook or presenting to a client.
  • Proficiency with culinary management tools, recipe management platforms, and standard MS Office / Google Workspace applications.
  • High emotional intelligence and the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse teams across different organizational cultures.
  • Analytical mindset — comfortable interpreting financial reports and using data to drive culinary decisions.
 
This role is primarily based out of a central office or HQ location, with occasional travel to accounts as needed for training events, program launches, or strategic initiatives. Day-to-day work involves a combination of remote collaboration, program development, and structured engagement with account-level culinary teams. The role involves standing for extended periods during culinary sessions and working in commercial kitchen environments during training and demonstrations. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required to support account needs or special events.

Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid 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_BAMCO.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. 

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

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:  1547750

Bon Appetit 

BRYAN GONI 

What Bon Appétit Management Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom