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Test Kitchen Jobs in Maine (NOW HIRING)

Lead Cook

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$25 - $27/hr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are distinct by design, yet true to its place. The Lead Cook is responsible for oversight of the kitchen ...

Lead Cook

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$25 - $27/hr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are distinct by design, yet true to its place. The Lead Cook is responsible for oversight of the kitchen ...

Lead Cook

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$25 - $27/hr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are distinct by design, yet true to its place. The Lead Cook is responsible for oversight of the kitchen ...

Sous Chef

Bar Harbor, ME ยท On-site

$46K - $62K/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 Sous Chef

Bar Harbor, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $77K/yr

Working in the kitchen, you will be an integral part of the culinary team. Your goal will be to ... US Coast Guard regulated pre-employment drug test. * Training and Teaching experience. * Ability to ...

Sous Chef

Bar Harbor, ME

$46K - $62K/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 ...

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Bring three years of culinary training or related kitchen experience and one year of supervisory ...

Line Cook

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Experience. ring two years of culinary training or related kitchen experience * Knowledge. Quality ...

Tiller Sous Chef

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Bring three years of culinary training or related kitchen experience and one year of supervisory ...

Line Cook

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Experience. ring two years of culinary training or related kitchen experience * Knowledge. Quality ...

Tiller Sous Chef

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Bring three years of culinary training or related kitchen experience and one year of supervisory ...

Line Cook

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Experience. ring two years of culinary training or related kitchen experience * Knowledge. Quality ...

Banquet's Sous Chef

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Bring three years of culinary training or related kitchen experience and one year of supervisory ...

Executive Sous Chef

Bar Harbor, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $77K/yr

Working in the kitchen, you will be an integral part of the culinary team. Your goal will be to ... US Coast Guard regulated pre-employment drug test. * Training and Teaching experience. * Ability to ...

Tiller Sous Chef

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Bring three years of culinary training or related kitchen experience and one year of supervisory ...

Tiller Sous Chef

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Bring three years of culinary training or related kitchen experience and one year of supervisory ...

Banquet's Sous Chef

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Bring three years of culinary training or related kitchen experience and one year of supervisory ...

Line Cook

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Experience. ring two years of culinary training or related kitchen experience * Knowledge. Quality ...

Line Cook

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Experience. ring two years of culinary training or related kitchen experience * Knowledge. Quality ...

Banquet's Sous Chef

Cape Neddick, ME ยท On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are ... Bring three years of culinary training or related kitchen experience and one year of supervisory ...

Showing results 21-40

Test Kitchen information

See Maine salary details

$12

$24

$38

How much do test kitchen jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for test kitchen in Maine is $24.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.57 and $27.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

What job categories do people searching Test Kitchen jobs in Maine look for?

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

Infographic showing various Test Kitchen job openings in Maine as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 4% Temporary, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,013 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

Lead Cook

Cliff House Maine

Cape Neddick, ME โ€ข On-site

$25 - $27/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Job Summary
You will be a part of the culinary team which masterfully crafts distinctive dishes and cultivates an authentic food experience for our guests. Your food knowledge will be put to the test as you prepare, cook, and garnish meals which are distinct by design, yet true to its place. The Lead Cook is responsible for oversight of the kitchen staff who prepare, cook, and garnish meals for hotel guests and patrons. The Lead Cook will provide leadership and guidance to the shift staff and also will work on the hot or cold line as needed. With focus on quality and production levels, the Lead Cook will assist the culinary team with their mission to exceed customers' expectations related to food quality and dining experience.
Pay Range: $25 - $27 per hour
Benefits:
  • Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Accident and Critical Illness Plans
  • Optional Supplemental Life Insurance
  • 401k match of 100% for 5%
  • Tuition Reimbursement Program
  • Referral Bonuses
  • Hotel, Restaurant, Spa and Retail Discounts at Our Portfolio of Hotels
  • Paid Time Off - Earn up to 2 Weeks of PTO Within Your First Year

Responsibilities
  • Leads by example and masters both the hot and cold food item production.
  • Inspects presentation quality and expedites the line as needed.
  • Must be able to read recipes and follow measurement instructions accurately.
  • Must be able to effectively communicate with all team members.
  • Consistently practice safe and sanitary food handling techniques.
  • Maintain workstation and equipment safety and cleanliness.
  • Must be able to frequently lift and carry up to 25 lbs. & occasionally lift, carry, push & pull up to 50 lbs Inventory items as assigned and maintain records as needed.
  • Apply basic knife skills required for preparation of hot and cold foods.

Qualifications
  • Flexibility. This is a demanding business and we look for flexibility with work days and hours, but it's also a lot of fun!
  • Experience. ring two years of culinary training or related kitchen experience
  • Knowledge. Quality knowledge of food safety, sanitation, food products, and food service equipment.
  • A qualified applicant is a "people person" who is flexible with their schedule, loves to cook, and knows a thing or two about kitchen safety and cleanliness.
  • People Person. The best part about food is enjoying it with others.

Needed Attributes
Employees must fulfill their performance standards for this position and comply with policies, rules and procedures of the Hotel, including those set out in the Employee Handbook or otherwise communicated (verbally or in writing) to employees. The job description is intended to describe the general nature and work responsibilities of the position. This job description and duties of this position are subject to change, modification and addition as deemed necessary by the Hotel. Employees are required to comply with supervisory instructions and perform other job duties, responsibilities and assignments requested by supervisors, managers or other Hotel Officials.
We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.