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Test Kitchen Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

CK Snack Foods

Process Operator I

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$17.50/hr

About our Kitchen Operator Position The Kitchen Operator is responsible for operating CK Snack ... The Company will provide forklift training and issue certification test. Responsibilities for Food ...

Boyne Resorts

Line Cook (Vintage)

Petoskey, MI · On-site

$15.50 - $19.25/hr

Possess knowledge and become familiar with all kitchen equipment. * Observe and test foods being cooked by tasting, smelling, and checking internal temperatures with thermometer to determine proper ...

The Salvation Army

Facility Technician

Detroit, MI

... kitchen equipment * Behave and communicate in a professional manner with supervisors, co-workers, staff, volunteers, and clients * Qualifications: * TB test and police clearance required * Must be ...

Boyne Resorts

Line Cook (Vintage)

Petoskey, MI

$15.50 - $19.25/hr

Possess knowledge and become familiar with all kitchen equipment. * Observe and test foods being cooked by tasting, smelling, and checking internal temperatures with thermometer to determine proper ...

Continental Services

Executive Chef

Auburn Hills, MI

... kitchen culture. The Executive Chef will work closely with the General Manager and other department ... Design, test, and implement menus for all food outlets--grab-and-go, restaurant, and catered events ...

Boyne Resorts

Breakfast Line Cook

Petoskey, MI · On-site

$15.50 - $19.25/hr

Possess knowledge and become familiar with all kitchen equipment. Observe and test foods being cooked by tasting, smelling, and checking internal temperatures with thermometer to determine proper ...

Boyne Resorts

Breakfast Line Cook

Petoskey, MI

$15.50 - $19.25/hr

Possess knowledge and become familiar with all kitchen equipment. Observe and test foods being cooked by tasting, smelling, and checking internal temperatures with thermometer to determine proper ...

Yum Village Llc

Line Cook Prep Cook

Detroit, MI · On-site

$15.50/hr

... kitchen utensils and equipment. o Portion, arrange, and garnish food, according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications and serve food to servers or guests. o Observe and test foods to ...

Yum Village Llc

Line Cook Prep Cook

Detroit, MI · On-site

$15.50/hr

... kitchen utensils and equipment. o Portion, arrange, and garnish food, according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications and serve food to servers or guests. o Observe and test foods to ...

Yum Village Llc

Line Cook Prep Cook

Detroit, MI · On-site

$15.50/hr

... kitchen utensils and equipment. o Portion, arrange, and garnish food, according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications and serve food to servers or guests. o Observe and test foods to ...

Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace

Prep Cook

Troy, MI · On-site

$16 - $19/hr

... kitchen. * Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters. * Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked ...

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All JobsTest Kitchen JobsTest Kitchen Jobs in Michigan

Test Kitchen information

See Michigan salary details

$11

$22

$34

How much do test kitchen jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for test kitchen in Michigan is $22.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.60 and $24.95 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.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Test Kitchen chef or culinary professional can earn $10,000 or more per month through high-level positions, private consulting, or successful food product development, often requiring culinary skills, experience, and industry connections rather than a formal degree. Such roles may involve working in commercial kitchens, developing recipes, or managing food brands, with income influenced by reputation and business success.

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.

How do I work in a test kitchen?

To work in a test kitchen, you typically need relevant culinary skills, experience in food preparation, and knowledge of recipe development. Positions may require familiarity with kitchen equipment, food safety standards, and the ability to follow and create detailed recipes. Some roles also value creativity, attention to detail, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

How much does a test kitchen chef make?

A test kitchen chef's salary typically ranges from $40,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the employer. They often work in culinary environments that require strong cooking skills, recipe development, and food presentation expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Test Kitchen role, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Test Kitchen role, you need strong culinary skills, recipe development experience, and a background in food science or culinary arts. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food safety certifications, and recipe management software is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this position. These skills ensure the creation of high-quality recipes, maintain safety standards, and foster collaboration in a fast-paced, innovative culinary environment.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

High-paying jobs that can reach $2,000 a day often include specialized roles such as senior consultants, surgeons, or executive-level positions in finance and technology. These roles typically require advanced skills, extensive experience, and often involve high-pressure environments or freelance consulting with significant hourly rates. Such positions may also demand certifications, licensing, or advanced degrees.

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.

More about Test Kitchen jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Test Kitchen jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Test Kitchen jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Test Kitchen jobs in Michigan? For Test Kitchen jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Test Kitchen jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Test Kitchen jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Test Kitchen jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Test Kitchen job openings:
Test Kitchen jobs near you
Infographic showing various Test Kitchen job openings in Michigan as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $45,923 per year, or $22.1 per hour.

Process Operator I

CK Snack Foods

Grand Rapids, MI • On-site

$17.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

About our Kitchen Operator Position

The Kitchen Operator is responsible for operating CK Snack snack food production equipment, such as poppers, extruders, and friers. This position must be able to follow strict recipes for the purpose of mass food production in accordance with company standard operating procedures.

Key Duties and Essential Job Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

  • Operate popper, extruded, and fryer equipment with minimal assistance.
    • Review the production schedule each day.
    • Following the instructions of the recipe (meal or slurry), retrieve the proper ingredients and amounts. Mix or blend ingredients from the recipe within established sequences, specifications, and tolerances.
    • Visually inspect the quality of food.
    • Observe dials and gauges while equipment is in use to ensure it is set at the correct temperature and adjust as necessary.
  • Responsible for performing all required changeovers in the kitchen with minimal assistance.
  • Must be able to assemble, disassemble, and troubleshoot all kitchen equipment in accordance with company standard operating procedure (SOP).
  • Responsible for the cleaning and sanitation of the equipment in operation. Cleaning/sanitation may be done during the shift while in operation or on a pre-determined schedule.
  • Responsible for monitoring the performance/output of the equipment and reporting any changes to management.
    • Observe the equipment to detect possible malfunctions, such as leaks or plugging.
  • Record production data using daily production log and other required/approved company documentation. Complete and accurate logs must be submitted each day at the end of the shift.
  • Must be able to operate a forklift.
  • The Company will provide forklift training and issue certification test.

Responsibilities for Food Safety

  • Responsible for completing required paperwork accurately and as honestly as possible.
  • Must adhere to all corporate Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and all Food & Corporate Safety policies, including the “clean as you go” program.
  • Must adhere to all Allergen control programs and procedures as applicable.
  • Responsible for reporting suspicious packages, activities, and individuals.
  • If monitoring critical control points (CCPs), must be trained in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and adhere to approved HACCP plan(s).

Required Skills, Abilities, and Experience

  • Must be able to read, write, and speak in the English language.
  • Must possess a High School diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Must be able to pass a company-issued forklift certification test.
  • Ability to follow directions and maintain a clean, safe work area.
  • Prior experience using extruders, poppers, and friers in a food manufacturing environment is required to be considered a level III operator.