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Test Kitchen Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Adecco

Kitchen

Burkesville, KY

$14/hr

Responsibilities for Kitchen Staff jobs include but are not limited to: · Maintain workstation ... It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of ...

SilcoFS

Kitchen Suppression Technician

Louisville, KY · On-site

Maintain accurate records of inspections, tests, maintenance activities, and repairs performed on kitchen systems. * Customer Service: * Communicate effectively with customers, providing technical ...

New

The Manchester Hotel

Steward

Lexington, KY · On-site

$13 - $18/hr

Kitchen Steward The Manchester Hotel provides the support and backbone necessary to make the ... Makes sure there are sanitizer test strips present. * Keeps the shelf above the sinks organized and ...

The Manchester Hotel

Steward

Lexington, KY · On-site

$13 - $18/hr

Kitchen Steward The Manchester Hotel provides the support and backbone necessary to make the ... Makes sure there are sanitizer test strips present. * Keeps the shelf above the sinks organized and ...

941 Management LLC

Steward

Lexington, KY · On-site

$13.25 - $18/hr

The Kitchen Steward at The Manchester Hotel provides the support and backbone necessary to make the ... test strips present. · Keeps the shelf above the sinks organized and dry. · Takes out trash and ...

941 Management LLC

Steward

Lexington, KY · On-site

$13.25 - $18/hr

The Kitchen Steward at The Manchester Hotel provides the support and backbone necessary to make the ... test strips present. · Keeps the shelf above the sinks organized and dry. · Takes out trash and ...

The Kidz Club

Food Service Provider

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

$14.75 - $18/hr

We're looking for a friendly, detail-oriented Food Service Provider to keep our kitchen running ... Current negative TB skin test (PPD) * Current CPR (Basic Life Support) certification Full-Time ...

The Kidz Club

Food Service Provider

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

$14.75 - $18/hr

We're looking for a friendly, detail-oriented Food Service Provider to keep our kitchen running ... Current negative TB skin test (PPD) * Current CPR (Basic Life Support) certification Full-Time ...

Winston Industries LLC

$90 - $120/hr

Are there any other qualities that I need? * You're as comfortable following a test protocol as you are running a kitchen. You're curious enough to ask why and disciplined enough to prove the answer.

Winston Industries LLC

R&D Culinary Specialist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$32K - $43K/yr

Are there any other qualities that I need? * You're as comfortable following a test protocol as you are running a kitchen. You're curious enough to ask why and disciplined enough to prove the answer.

Winston Industries LLC

R&D Culinary Specialist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$33K - $45K/yr

Are there any other qualities that I need? * You're as comfortable following a test protocol as you are running a kitchen. You're curious enough to ask why and disciplined enough to prove the answer.

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How much do test kitchen jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for test kitchen in Kentucky is $22.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $24.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a test kitchen?

A test kitchen is a professional space where chefs, food scientists, and culinary experts develop, test, and refine recipes, food products, and cooking techniques before they are released to the public. These kitchens are often used by food companies, restaurants, magazines, and appliance manufacturers to ensure quality, consistency, and safety. The work in a test kitchen involves experimenting with ingredients, adjusting cooking methods, and documenting results to create reliable and replicable recipes.

What are test kitchen jobs?

Test kitchen jobs focus on the preparation and use of ingredients, particularly when trying to create a new recipe for others to follow. These positions typically involve a significant amount of culinary expertise, and you may be asked to taste and cook a wide variety of new or unfamiliar foods. Many test kitchen jobs have additional requirements based on the needs of the company. For example, test kitchens for chain restaurants need to set up a supply chain for every ingredient, so there may be limits on the types of ingredients available. Other restaurants may work with less skilled chefs, so the recipes must be written to accommodate these skill levels. Balancing the creation of good food with operational limitations is one of the most important aspects of a test kitchen job.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a test kitchen, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in a test kitchen often face challenges such as tight deadlines for recipe development, balancing creativity with strict nutritional or cost guidelines, and ensuring recipes are reproducible at scale. Collaboration with chefs, food scientists, and marketing teams is essential, as feedback loops can be fast-paced and iterative. Staying organized, maintaining clear documentation, and being open to constructive critique can help navigate these challenges and contribute to successful product launches.

What is the difference between Test Kitchen vs Test Engineer?

AspectTest KitchenTest Engineer
Required CredentialsExperience with testing tools, basic scripting, sometimes certifications in quality assuranceEngineering degree, certifications in testing or quality assurance, technical expertise
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, quality assurance labs, agile environmentsDevelopment teams, R&D departments, product testing labs
Industry UsageSoftware development, DevOps, continuous integrationSoftware, hardware, manufacturing industries
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for testing roles in software projectsCompared for technical testing and quality assurance roles

Test Kitchen is primarily a testing tool used by developers and QA teams to automate and manage testing environments, especially in software development. Test Engineer, on the other hand, is a professional role involving designing, executing, and managing testing processes. While both focus on testing, Test Kitchen is a tool, and Test Engineer is a job title requiring broader technical skills and certifications.

How do I get a job in a test kitchen?

To get a job in a test kitchen, candidates typically need relevant culinary or food science experience, strong tasting and evaluation skills, and familiarity with recipe development and testing. Many positions require a culinary degree or related certification, along with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and collaborate with a team.
More about Test Kitchen jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Test Kitchen jobs in Kentucky?

The most popular types of Test Kitchen jobs in Kentucky are:

What are popular job titles related to Test Kitchen jobs in Kentucky?

For Test Kitchen jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Test Kitchen jobs in Kentucky are:

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Test Kitchen jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most Test Kitchen job openings:

Test Kitchen jobs near you
Infographic showing various Test Kitchen job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 7% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,761 per year, or $22 per hour.

Foodservice R&D Specialist

Talis Group, Inc.

Louisville, KY • On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Do you love creating, testing, and improving food while working with cutting-edge commercial kitchen equipment? Talis Group's client, a respected and innovative company searching for a Foodservice R&D Specialist who combines hands-on chef experience with a passion for research and product development.
This is a unique opportunity to move beyond the kitchen and help shape the next generation of commercial cooking equipment. You'll partner with Engineering, Sales, and Marketing to validate equipment performance, develop new applications, and demonstrate innovative culinary solutions for customers across the foodservice industry.  This position will also train customers on how to use equipment to successfully create their menu items.

If you enjoy experimenting, solving problems, and bringing culinary ideas to life, this could be the perfect career move.  This position offers 40-45 hours during the week with about 20% travel to customer sites, conventions or other.  The company offers full benefit package and strong salary for this role.

Highlighted Duties:
  • Design and execute food and equipment testing to validate product performance using structured research methods.
  • Develop new cooking applications and evaluate food quality, yield, consistency, and operational efficiency.
  • Document testing procedures and results to support product development and future applications.
  • Partner with Engineering to troubleshoot, improve, and validate new equipment designs.
  • Conduct customer demonstrations, product evaluations, and culinary presentations.
  • Support Sales, Marketing, and Training by creating application guides, educational materials, and product content.
  • Maintain a professional test kitchen that is organized and customer-ready.
  • Stay current on food trends, culinary techniques, and foodservice innovations to support ongoing product development.

Highlighted Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science or a related field preferred; Culinary degree with significant R&D experience will also be considered.
  • 5+ years of experience in restaurant operations, foodservice R&D, commercial kitchen equipment, or a related field.
  • Professional chef or commercial cooking experience is required.
  • Previous Research & Development experience within the foodservice, food manufacturing, or commercial kitchen equipment industry is required
  • Strong knowledge of commercial kitchen operations, food preparation, and food science principles.
  • Experience conducting structured product testing and documenting results.
  • Ability to evaluate food quality, yield, cost, and production performance.
  • Creative mindset with the ability to develop innovative culinary applications and solutions.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to work across technical and non-technical teams.

This information is a brief job summary for recruiting purposes only and does not constitute the entire job description, duties, or requirements.

Talis Group is an equal opportunity employer.  All registrants are considered based upon their skills, performance, potential, and other qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.