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Test Kitchen Chef Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Sous Chef

Saint Augustine, FL

$43K - $58K/yr

Working in the kitchen, you will be an integral part of the culinary team. Your goal will be to ... Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test. * Complete criminal background check. * Training ...

Sous Chef

Punta Gorda, FL

$45K - $61K/yr

Working in the kitchen, you will be an integral part of the culinary team. Your goal will be to ... Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test. * Complete criminal background check. * Training ...

Sous Chef

Saint Augustine, FL · On-site

$43K - $58K/yr

Working in the kitchen, you will be an integral part of the culinary team. Your goal will be to ... Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test. * Complete criminal background check. * Training ...

Sous Chef

Punta Gorda, FL · On-site

$45K - $61K/yr

Working in the kitchen, you will be an integral part of the culinary team. Your goal will be to ... Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test. * Complete criminal background check. * Training ...

Executive Chef

Punta Gorda, FL

$64K - $89K/yr

Executive Chef American Cruise Lines is the largest U.S. cruise line, dedicated to providing ... kitchen leadership. * Must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check. * TWIC ...

Executive Chef

Saint Augustine, FL · On-site

$62K - $85K/yr

Executive Chef American Cruise Lines is the largest U.S. cruise line, dedicated to providing ... kitchen leadership. * Must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check. * TWIC ...

Executive Chef

Punta Gorda, FL · On-site

$64K - $89K/yr

Executive Chef American Cruise Lines is the largest U.S. cruise line, dedicated to providing ... kitchen leadership. * Must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check. * TWIC ...

Executive Chef

Saint Augustine, FL · On-site

$62K - $85K/yr

Executive Chef American Cruise Lines is the largest U.S. cruise line, dedicated to providing ... kitchen leadership. * Must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check. * TWIC ...

... kitchen layout based on planned menus * Collaborate on menu concept, develop and test dishes ... Lead a team of 20+ chefs and cooks * Stay organized and adaptable in a fast-moving environment

Showing results 21-40

Test Kitchen Chef information

See Florida salary details

$7

$18

$33

How much do test kitchen chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for test kitchen chef in Florida is $18.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.60 and $23.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a test kitchen chef?

A Test Kitchen Chef is a culinary professional who develops, tests, and refines recipes in a controlled kitchen environment, often for food companies, magazines, or restaurants. Their primary role is to ensure that recipes are accurate, reproducible, and meet specific standards of taste, appearance, and safety. Test Kitchen Chefs may also evaluate new ingredients, cooking techniques, or kitchen equipment, and provide feedback or recommendations. They often collaborate with food scientists, nutritionists, and editors to perfect recipes before they are published or used commercially.

What is the difference between Test Kitchen Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectTest Kitchen ChefLine Cook
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degree often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent, culinary training
Work EnvironmentTest kitchens, culinary labs, product testing facilitiesRestaurant kitchen, fast-paced food service
Employer & IndustryFood companies, culinary media, product testing firmsRestaurants, hotels, catering services
Primary FocusRecipe development, product testing, quality controlFood preparation, plating, and service

The Test Kitchen Chef specializes in recipe development and product testing within culinary labs or food companies, focusing on quality control and innovation. In contrast, a Line Cook works in restaurant kitchens, preparing and cooking dishes for service. While both roles require culinary skills and certifications, their work environments and primary responsibilities differ significantly.

How does a test kitchen chef typically collaborate with product development and marketing teams?

Test Kitchen Chefs play a vital role in bridging culinary creativity with business objectives. They regularly work alongside product development teams to create, refine, and test new recipes or food products, ensuring consistency, scalability, and quality. Collaboration extends to marketing teams, as Test Kitchen Chefs often provide insights on food trends, participate in promotional content creation, and help translate technical recipes into consumer-friendly formats. This cross-functional teamwork is both rewarding and essential to bringing successful products to market.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a test kitchen chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Test Kitchen Chef, you need strong culinary expertise, recipe development skills, and often a degree or certification in culinary arts. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and food safety standards is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication help you innovate and clearly convey recipe instructions. These skills are crucial for developing reliable, appealing recipes that can be reproduced consistently in various food industry settings.
What are popular job titles related to Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Florida? For Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Florida look for? The top searched job categories for Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Florida are:
What cities in Florida are hiring for Test Kitchen Chef jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Test Kitchen Chef job openings:
Infographic showing various Test Kitchen Chef job openings in Florida as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,280 per year, or $18.4 per hour.

$43K - $58K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Sous Chef
American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line operating exclusively within the United States, is seeking talented Sous Chefs to join our team for the 2026 season. Our modern riverboats and iconic paddlewheelers carry no more than 200 guests, providing a uniquely intimate small-ship experience along America’s rivers. With newly constructed vessels continually joining our expanding fleet, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to exceptional culinary experiences nationwide.
Exceptional cuisine is prepared by chefs who have extensive culinary credentials and training from some of the most prestigious culinary institutes. Using only the freshest ingredients, menus are inspired by regional and local specialties. Working in the kitchen, you will be an integral part of the culinary team. Your goal will be to utilize the ingredients provided to create a unique array of dishes that are full of delicious flavor. Our Sous Chefs are involved with all aspects of food production including breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the main restaurant, and have primary responsibility for the quality of café food and hors d’oeuvres served. Ensuring consistency in culinary excellence across the vessel your primary responsibility. You will work closely with other members of the culinary team every day to ensure that the kitchen operations run smoothly and that all service provided to our guests is flawless.
At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values—Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.
Responsibilities:
  • Work directly with the Executive Chef to produce diversified menus for our guests using fresh ingredients.
  • Work directly overseeing the culinary team to produce delicious and presentable café, buffet, and hors d’oeuvres food, maintaining high guest scores in these areas.
  • Ensure the same level of world class culinary skill and presentation served in the main restaurant is consistent with all food served throughout the ship.
  • Organize the work in the kitchen so that kitchen processes run efficiently.
  • Produce high quality dishes that follow the established menu choices.
  • Adhere to all guest dietary requests.
  • Maintain order and discipline in the kitchen during work hours.
  • Make sure that the hygiene and food safety standards are placed as a top priority throughout all stages of food preparation.
  • Ensure that all meals are prepared as quickly and deliciously as possible.
  • Enforce food and safety standards.
Qualifications:
  • Minimum 3 years of culinary experience in full-service resort, hotel, or cruise ship.
  • ServSafe Manager Certification strongly preferred.
  • Familiar with food safety standards.
  • Must possess problem solving skills, self-motivation, and organization.
  • An effective leader who can effectively control time management.
  • Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Complete criminal background check.
  • Training and Teaching experience.
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
  • Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
Work Schedule:
  • 7 days per week while onboard the ship.
  • 6 to 8 weeks onboard followed by 1 to 2 weeks off.
  • This is a full-time, exempt position.
Essential Functions:
  • Ships experience forces from wind, waves, and currents, prompting them to exhibit six distinct motions known as ship motions. The six motions are surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw. This position requires the ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment that is subject to constant motion.
  • Ability to multi-task, take direction, and be a team player.
  • Ability to work with composure under pressure.
  • Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions.
  • Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
  • Ability to assist in the event of an on-board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20” diameter hatch.
  • Ability to stand for your entire shift.
  • Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
  • Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
  • Ability to use stairs frequently.
Compensation and Benefits:
  • Competitive daily rate.
  • Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match.
  • Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.
Applicant Acknowledgment
By proceeding to apply for the above position, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the description of the job position for which I am applying, I agree that it accurately reflects the essential functions of the position, and I represent that I can complete the essential functions of the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
American Cruise Lines is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. ‎American Cruise Lines bases all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual ‎qualifications without regard to protected characteristics, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin and citizenship, age (40 and over), disability (including perceived disability), generic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. ‎This policy applies to all aspects of employment and employment decisions, including, but not limited to, ‎hiring, selection, job assignment, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, and access ‎to benefits.‎
*Job sites across the nation.
**This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.