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Test Kitchen Chef Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

TABLE 95 MANAGEMENT

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL

$73K - $101K/yr

Tests cooked foods by tasting and smelling them * Devises special dishes and develops recipes * Familiarizes newly hired chefs and cooks with practices of kitchen and oversees training of cook ...

Wesley Willows

Sous Chef - Bistro

Rockford, IL · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Support the Corporate Executive Chef in managing daily kitchen operations * Ensure high-quality ... Applicants for this position must be able to produce a negative drug test. Applicants may be ...

Wesley Willows

Sous Chef - Bistro

Rockford, IL · On-site

Support the Corporate Executive Chef in managing daily kitchen operations * Ensure high-quality ... Applicants for this position must be able to produce a negative drug test. Applicants may be ...

Omni Hotels & Resorts

Executive Chef

Chicago, IL · On-site

$106K - $129K/yr

To advise the Food and Beverage Director on all matters relating to the kitchen area. In ... To test and evaluate products for quality, paying particular attention to yield/holding qualities ...

Ontrac Solutions

Production Engineer (IC4)

Chicago, IL · On-site

$75 - $85/hr

Configuration management you have run in production - Chef (cookbooks, recipes, Ohai, Test Kitchen/InSpec), CINC, Puppet, Ansible, or Salt. Say which resources you wrote and how you tested ...

Columbia Yacht Club

Kitchen Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$55K - $63K/yr

Conduct daily line checks and taste tests to maintain consistency across lunch, dinner, and banquet ... Collaborate with the Executive Chef on seasonal menu updates and daily specials that reflect member ...

Boar's Head Brand

Culinary Development Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$147K/yr

Additionally, the Culinary Development Chef will be responsible for developing and implementing new ... test kitchen facilities in collaboration with PF Operations Managers. * Develop in collaboration ...

Boar's Head Brand

Culinary Development Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$147K/yr

Additionally, the Culinary Development Chef will be responsible for developing and implementing new ... test kitchen facilities in collaboration with PF Operations Managers. * Develop in collaboration ...

Home Chef

Menu Strategy Analyst

Chicago, IL · On-site

... test in the kitchen (includes vegetarian, pork, chicken, steak, and seafood) Company : Home Chef is a provider of subscription-based meal kit delivery services to help people to save time while ...

Air Culinaire Worldwide

Cook

Park Ridge, IL · On-site

$18 - $23/hr

All other duties as assigned by the Kitchen Manager / Executive Chef REQUIREMENTS High school ... Drug Test * E-Verify *We are a promote-from-within company and top performers can achieve career ...

MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB

Cook II

Medinah, IL · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Understanding of portion control and presentations set by the Chef team. * Test prepared foods to ... the kitchen, walk-in coolers, and storage areas. * Maintain the cleanliness and safety of work ...

MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB

Cook II

Medinah, IL · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

Understanding of portion control and presentations set by the Chef team. * Test prepared foods to ... the kitchen, walk-in coolers, and storage areas. * Maintain the cleanliness and safety of work ...

Mercyhealth

Executive Chef- Full-Time

Harvard, IL · On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

OVERVIEW The Food Production Lead supports daily kitchen operations in a healthcare setting by ... Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently. * Knowledge of various ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsTest Kitchen Chef JobsTest Kitchen Chef Jobs in Illinois

Test Kitchen Chef information

See Illinois salary details

$9

$23

$43

How much do test kitchen chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for test kitchen chef in Illinois is $23.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.30 and $30.05 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 Illinois? For Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Test Kitchen Chef jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Test Kitchen Chef job openings:
Test Kitchen Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Test Kitchen Chef job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,638 per year, or $23.9 per hour.

Executive Sous Chef, Catering - Wrigley Field

Compass Group

Chicago, IL • On-site

$78K - $83K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,088 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

339th of 485 rated business services

Job description

Position Title: Executive Sous Chef, Catering - Wrigley Field
Pay Range: $78,000-$83,000
We Make Applying Easy! Want to apply to this job via text messaging? Text JOB to 75000 and search requisition ID number 1556178
The advertised program is an AI recruiting assistant that helps you apply to jobs with Compass Group. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: http://olivia.paradox.ai/moSkg
Diversity of thought and inclusion for all is what drives our success - we invite you to start your journey with us today!
Are you looking for a job with competitive wages, one in which you can learn and grow and be a part of a great team? We're hiring! Great team member perks like Instapay (early access to your wages) and high interest savings both through the EVEN app.
From the stadium to the head table, Levy leverages unbridled creativity, custom strategies, impeccable service, and true love for great food to create unforgettable experiences. Founded in Chicago 40 years ago as a Delicatessen, Levy now finds itself as a leading presence in the Food, Beverage, and Retail industry across 200 plus Entertainment, Sports, and Restaurant venues across the country.
For more information on what we are about as a company, check us out by following the link below: http://www.levyrestaurants.com/who-we-are/
Job Summary
The Catering Executive Sous Chef supervises and directs the activities of kitchen staff, ensuring the efficient preparation and service of food for catering events. This position works closely with the Sr. and Executive Chef to maintain the highest standards of food quality, safety, and profitability. The role includes managing staff, developing recipes, controlling food costs, and ensuring compliance with all safety and sanitation guidelines.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
  • Oversee the work of kitchen staff, ensuring efficient and profitable foodservice operations
  • Support the Sr. Executive Chef in the management of all kitchen activities, including training, hiring and performance evaluations
  • Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, assigning work, appraising performance rewarding, disciplining, addressing complaints, and resolving issues
  • Work with catering manager and front of house team of set up and execution

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
  • Monitor kitchen staff during food preparation to ensure recipes, portion sizes and garnishing follow standards
  • Participate in menu planning and food utilization strategies, taking into account guest preferences, menu trends, seasonal availability and allergens
  • Control food costs by managing portion sizes and kitchen efficiency
  • Ensure compliance with sanitation standards, including ServSafe and safety regulations
  • Test cooked food for taste and quality, ensuring compliance with recipes
  • Develop special dishes and write detailed recipes
  • Review menus, analyze recipes, and calculate food, labor, and overhead costs, assigning prices to menu items with the Executive Chef
  • Train new cooks and familiarize them with kitchen practices
  • Estimate food consumption, requisition ingredients, and ensure the kitchen is stocked with necessary supplies
  • Enforce nutrition, safety, and merchandising standards in the kitchen
  • Address and resolve customer concerns
  • Assign and supervise cleaning tasks to maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment
  • Ensure the use of Webtrition for culinary standards and compliance
  • Schedule labor according to business needs and manage purchase compliance
  • Attend all culinary meetings as required
  • Uphold discipline to culinary programs and maintain adherence to culinary terminology

Skills and Experience:
  • A Culinary Degree is preferred
  • Minimum 3+ years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience
  • Hands-on chef experience, especially in high-volume and complex foodservice operations
  • Comprehensive knowledge of food trends, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), email, and internet tools

Essential Food Safety Practices:
  • Must posses a valid Food Handler's Permit
  • Must have or be willing to obtain Servsafe Certification
  • Adhere to HACCP policies and procedures

Apply to Levy today!
Levy is a member of Compass Group USA
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
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.
Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/
Associates of Levy are offered many fantastic benefits.
  • Instapay (early access to your wages) and high interest savings both through the EVEN app
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Program
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Employee Assistance Program

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_Levy.pdf

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