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Test Kitchen Chef Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Executive Chef

Washington, DC · On-site

$130K - $140K/yr

Strategic Intent Responsible for all aspects of managing the kitchen and kitchen personnel ... Ensure that quality and details are being maintained. · Develop new menu items, test and write ...

Head of Culinary

Washington, DC · On-site

$170 - $210/hr

Can move comfortably between the test kitchen, supplier meetings, executive conversations, commissaries, and shop operations. * Are digging our big BIG V.I.B.E.S. (Vibrancy, Integrity, Belonging ...

Executive Chef

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$72K - $100K/yr

Responsible for all aspects of managing the kitchen and kitchen staff, ensuring the quality ... Develop new menu items, test and write recipes. 18. Assist Catering department with developing ...

Sous Chef

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$62K - $68K/yr

About the Position Oversees kitchen operation while maintaining a safe and sanitary work ... Tutoring for ESL, Citizenship Test & GED * Staff Emergency Grants * Retirement Plan- 401(k) * Free ...

Sous Chef

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$62K - $68K/yr

About the Position Oversees kitchen operation while maintaining a safe and sanitary work ... Tutoring for ESL, Citizenship Test & GED * Staff Emergency Grants * Retirement Plan- 401(k) * Free ...

Sous Chef

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$62K - $68K/yr

About the Position Oversees kitchen operation while maintaining a safe and sanitary work ... Tutoring for ESL, Citizenship Test & GED * Staff Emergency Grants * Retirement Plan- 401(k) * Free ...

Line Cook - 2 Positions!!

Bowie, MD · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Taste tests and evaluates food before serving to ensure standards are met; consults with Chef if there are any concerns. * Operates all kitchen equipment correctly. * Cleans and sanitizes equipment ...

Taste tests and evaluates food after serving to ensure standards are met; consults with Chef if there are any concerns. * Operates all kitchen equipment correctly. * Cleans and sanitizes equipment ...

Line Cook - 2 Positions!!

Bowie, MD · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Taste tests and evaluates food before serving to ensure standards are met; consults with Chef if there are any concerns. * Operates all kitchen equipment correctly. * Cleans and sanitizes equipment ...

Pastry Cook

Chevy Chase, MD · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

The Pastry Chef is responsible for leading the preparation, production, and presentation of all ... and test new dessert recipes that align with seasonal menus and club standards. · Maintain ...

LSG Sky Chefs caters to over 300 airlines in more then 200 customer service centers in over 50 ... Able to use knives and other kitchen equipment safely * Must be able to pass a pre-hire drug test ...

Cook I

Potomac, MD · On-site

$23/hr

... test for the world's best players. Tee up your career as a part of our team with the TPC Network ... Basicknowledge of food preparation, kitchen maintenance operations and safe food handling ...

Remove empty boxes from kitchen and storage areas on a regular basis to dumpster area * Keep ... Chef in the preparation of food as needed * Set-up and break-down buffet tables and theme ...

Remove empty boxes from kitchen and storage areas on a regular basis to dumpster area * Keep ... Chef in the preparation of food as needed * Set-up and break-down buffet tables and theme ...

Showing results 41-60

Test Kitchen Chef information

See Washington, DC salary details

$11

$27

$50

How much do test kitchen chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for test kitchen chef in Washington, DC is $27.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.04 and $35.14 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 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.

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 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 to become a test kitchen chef?

To become a test kitchen chef, you typically need culinary training or experience in professional kitchens, strong cooking skills, and knowledge of recipe development and food science. Many roles also require familiarity with kitchen equipment, food safety standards, and the ability to test and refine recipes efficiently.

What are popular job titles related to Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Washington, DC?

For Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Test Kitchen Chef jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Test Kitchen Chef job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,017 per year, or $27.9 per hour.

Executive Chef

The Watergate Hotel

Washington, DC • On-site

$130K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

The Hotel

Step inside a legendary revival at The Watergate Hotel, a luxurious urban resort located along the banks of the Potomac River. Here modern design blends with a storied past to redefine luxury. A place where travel and business are occasions worth celebrating, attention to every detail is the standard, and intrigue can be found just beyond every curve.

Location

The Watergate Hotel is centrally located in Washington, D.C., a city of political power, prestige, and elegance is culturally rich with theaters, museums, architectural splendors and unforgettable national memorials. The Watergate Hotel is situated within walking distance of the best the city has to offer.

Strategic Intent

Responsible for all aspects of managing the kitchen and kitchen personnel, ensuring the quality preparation of all menu items and proper handling/storage of all food items in accordance with standards. Coordinate the purchase of all food and develop menus, maintaining approved food costs and labor costs.

General Duties and Responsibilities

· Maintain complete knowledge of and ensure associate compliance with all departmental/hotel

policies and procedures.

· Interview, hire, train, recommend performance evaluations, resolve problems, provide open

communication and recommend discipline and/or termination when appropriate.

· Establish the day's priorities and assign production and preparation tasks for staff to execute.

· Review daily menu specials and offer feedback to Sous Chefs.

· Review banquet event orders and make note of any changes.

· Communicate both verbally and in writing to provide clear direction to staff.

· Take physical inventory of specified food items for daily inventory.

· Requisition the day’s supplies and ensure that they are received and stored correctly.

Communicate needs with Purchasing and Storeroom personnel. Ensure quality of products

received.

· Meet with the Executive Steward to review equipment needs, banquet plate up assistance,

cleaning schedule/project status, health/safety and sanitation follow up.

· Ensure that staff report to work as scheduled; document any late or absent employees.

· Ensure that each kitchen work area is stocked with specified tools, supplies and equipment to

meet the business demand.

· Ensure that recipe cards, production schedules, plating guides, photographs are current and

posted.

· Ensure that all staff prepares menu items following recipes and yield guides, according to

department standards.

· Monitor performance of staff and ensure all procedures are completed to the department

standards; rectify deficiencies with respective personnel.

· Observe guest reactions and confer with service staff to ensure guest satisfaction.

· Conduct frequent walk through of each kitchen area and direct respective personnel to correct

any deficiencies. Ensure that quality and details are being maintained.

· Develop new menu items, test and write recipes.

· Assist Catering department with developing special menus for functions; meet with clients as

requested.

· Review sales and food cost daily; resolve any discrepancies with the Controller.

· Ensure that excess items are utilized efficiently.

· Oversee and direct training of new hires in specified phases of the kitchen operation. Maintain

an on-going training program for existing staff. Reevaluate positions in the kitchen and make

changes wherever necessary.

· Interview and hire new personnel according to hotel policies and standards.

· Prepare weekly work schedules for all kitchen personnel in accordance with staffing guidelines

and forecasted labor costs. Adjust schedules throughout the week to meet business demands.

Prepare daily/weekly payroll reports.

· Comply with attendance rules and be available to work on a regular basis.

· Perform any other job related duties as assigned.

Experience and Requirements

Must have the ability to communicate in English. Self-starting personality with an even disposition.

Maintain a professional appearance and manner at all times. Can communicate well with guests. Must be

willing to “pitch-in” and help co-workers with their job duties and be a team player. Ability to transport

cases of received goods to the work stations; pots and pans of food from storage/prep areas to the

serving line. Ability to work with all products and food ingredients involved. Ability to operate, clean

and maintain all equipment required in job functions. Ability to plan and develop menus and recipes.

Ability to apply basic supervisory skills to plan, organize, direct, coach, train and discipline, as necessary.

Ability to ensure security of kitchen access, products and hotel property. Ability to operate with stress,

time constraints, physical activity and continuous walking. Finger/hand dexterity in order to operate food

machinery. Ability to grasp, lift and/or carry, or otherwise, move goods weighing a maximum of 100 lbs. on

a continuous schedule.

Each of the items listed is considered an essential function of the position. However, the duties, responsibilities and requirements presented in this job description are intended to be broad based and high level and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all roles or responsibilities for the position. The Company reserves the right to alter the duties and responsibilities of the position.