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Senior Development Chef Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Maple

Maple & Ash Chicago - Chef De Cuisine

Chicago, IL · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Who You Are The R&D Chef is the culinary architect for the brand, bridging the gap between Michelin ... Elite Experience: 4+ years of senior culinary leadership. Prior experience in Michelin-starred or ...

Hawksmoor - Chicago

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

Taking part in menu development and tastings * Efficiency of services/kitchen * Product and service ... Giving support to senior staff within the team FOH/BOH * To support the Executive Chef and manage ...

Jobs on Cash

Executive Chef

Naperville, IL · On-site

$71K - $98K/yr

Lead, mentor, and manage the kitchen team, ensuring effective training and development of all staff ... Proven experience as an Executive Chef or in a similar senior culinary management role. * Strong ...

Park Hyatt Chicago

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$63K - $78K/yr

Team Development: Support and develop the culinary team through hands‑on training, coaching ... Act as a senior leader in the absence of the Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine, ensuring continuity ...

Luther Village

Executive Chef

Arlington Heights, IL · On-site

$72K - $99K/yr

... and team development, and a focus on food quality and presentation. The Executive Chef is responsible for leading all culinary operations in a senior living community, ensuring high-quality ...

Belmont Village

Chef Manager In Training

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K/yr

) ABOUT THE ROLE At Belmont Village Senior Living, we offer a truly unique experience, blending ... Belmont Village is dedicated to the growth and development of our team members, offering a wide ...

CommonSail Investment Group

Executive Chef

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

Must have previous experience and proficient with menu development and pricing. * Must have ... Connecting Seniors, Families and Communities For over 37 years, our senior living communities have ...

StoryPoint

Executive Chef

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

Must have previous experience and proficient with menu development and pricing. * Must have ... Connecting Seniors, Families and Communities For over 37 years, our senior living communities have ...

Laurus Home Care

Executive Chef

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

Must have previous experience and proficient with menu development and pricing. * Must have ... Connecting Seniors, Families and Communities For over 37 years, our senior living communities have ...

Park Hyatt Chicago

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$63K - $78K/yr

Team Development : Support and develop the culinary team through hands-on training, coaching ... Leadership Coverage : Act as a senior leader in the absence of the Executive Chef or Chef de ...

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Sous Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$63K - $78K/yr

Team Development : Support and develop the culinary team through hands-on training, coaching ... Leadership Coverage : Act as a senior leader in the absence of the Executive Chef or Chef de ...

Ciel Senior Living

Sous Chef

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Ciel Senior Living Employment Type: Hourly Our Mission: We are united in our mission to offer ... Participate in training and ongoing development opportunities. * Assisting other cooks in preparing ...

Ciel Senior Living, LLC

Sous Chef

Vernon Hills, IL · On-site

$32.50 - $34.50/hr

Ciel Senior Living Employment Type: Hourly Our Mission: We are united in our mission to offer ... Participate in training and ongoing development opportunities. * Assisting other cooks in preparing ...

Sodexo

Area Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · Remote

$73K - $101K/yr

Lead the culinary content development for specific culinary projects in North America in ... Routinely interface and work effectively with multiple internal departments/personnel, plus senior ...

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All JobsDevelopment Chef JobsSenior Development Chef JobsSenior Development Chef Jobs in Chicago, IL

Senior Development Chef information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$46.9K

$149.3K

$229.2K

How much do senior development chef jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior development chef in Chicago, IL is $149,313.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,900.00 and $177,700.00 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 job?

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, and why are they important?

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 Chicago, IL? For Senior Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Development Chef jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Senior Development Chef jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Senior Development Chef job openings:
Senior Development Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Development Chef job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $149,313 per year, or $71.8 per hour.

Maple & Ash Chicago - Chef De Cuisine

MAPLE HOSPITALITY GROUP

Chicago, IL • On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Join Maple Hospitality Group, where culinary excellence meets unparalleled service. Led by renowned restaurateur Jim Lasky and two-Michelin-starred Chef Danny Grant, known for his innovative approach to fine dining, we're building a team of passionate food lovers dedicated to creating iconic destinations.

We believe success hinges on impeccable food, world-class service, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences. As we expand across Chicago, Scottsdale, Dallas, Santa Barbara, Miami, Boston and New York, you'll find endless opportunities for growth, travel, and continuing education.

Our culture is built on four core principles:

  • Generosity: Always give more, exceed expectations.
  • Excellence: Deliver exceptional work with unmatched expertise.
  • Fun: Love what you do, laugh often, and enjoy the journey.
  • Fail Fast: Learn from mistakes, adapt, and keep improving.

Who You Are

The R&D Chef is the culinary architect for the brand, bridging the gap between Michelin-caliber artistry and multi-unit scalability. This role demands a rare hybrid of elite creativity and industrial-grade operational discipline. You will transform abstract inspiration into scalable, profitable, and breathtaking culinary reality, ensuring the brand’s North Star remains elite as it expands.

We are seeking a chef who views operations not as a constraint on creativity, but as the vehicle that allows world-class food to reach thousands of guests daily. You must possess the artistic ego to create something beautiful and the professional humility to ensure it can be executed perfectly by others. 

Culinary Innovation and Michelin-Caliber Excellence

  • Creative R&D: Drive the evolution of the brand through constant experimentation, pushing the boundaries of technique and flavor to maintain a best-in-class reputation.
  • High-End Execution: Ensure every new dish meets the aesthetic and technical rigor of James Beard/Michelin-caliber dining.
  • Menu Engineering: Optimize menus for profitability and guest experience, ensuring innovation is balanced with strict $P&L$ and food cost targets.

Systems and Scalability

  • SOP Architecture: Translate complex, high-end dishes into precise, scalable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for multi-unit consistency.
  • Operational Flow: Identify bottlenecks in production and re-engineer workflows to improve speed without sacrificing artistry.
  • Strategic Sourcing: Vet elite suppliers to secure ingredients that meet the brand’s uncompromising standards for quality, sustainability, and cost.

Leadership and Flagship Oversight

  • Flagship Stewardship: Maintain a strong, hands-on presence at Maple & Ash Chicago to ensure the core brand identity is consistently executed.
  • Global Implementation: Lead the rollout of new concepts across all markets, personally training kitchen leadership to ensure flawless execution.
  • Quality Audits: Conduct rigorous inspections across all locations to enforce food safety, sanitation, and brand integrity.

Collaboration and Performance

  • Direct Partnership: Work closely with Chef Danny Grant and the Culinary Director to align vision with execution.
  • Financial Performance: Drive improvements in food cost and labor efficiency, aligning culinary decisions with organizational financial goals.
  • Cross-Functional Communication: Partner with marketing on launches and maintain clear lines of communication with Executive Chefs across all locations.
 

Who We Are Looking For

The Pedigree

  • Elite Experience: 4+ years of senior culinary leadership. Prior experience in Michelin-starred or James Beard-awarded kitchens is essential.

  • Visionary Thinking: A deep passion for culinary trends, food science, and high-end plate composition.
  • Systems Mindset: The ability to move fluidly between the lab (creativity) and the office (data, costing, and logistics).

The Skills

  • Technical Mastery: Exceptional butchery, saucier, and modern technique skills.
  • Financial Acumen: Advanced knowledge of menu costing, inventory management, and labor optimization.
  • Leadership: Highly organized and disciplined, with the ability to thrive in a high-accountability environment.
  • Mobility: Willingness to travel as needed to support openings and ongoing operations.

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