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Test Kitchen Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Hardware Test Engineer

Toronto, ON · On-site

CA$104K - CA$129K/yr

Fully stocked Toronto office kitchen with snacks, drinks, games and top-notch kitchen appliances ... Develop comprehensive test plans, test cases, and test reports that align with design ...

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Test Kitchen information

See Ontario salary details

$6

$23

$51

How much do test kitchen jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for test kitchen in Ontario is $23.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $25.00 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 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 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 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 Ontario? For Test Kitchen jobs in Ontario, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Test Kitchen jobs in Ontario look for? The top searched job categories for Test Kitchen jobs in Ontario are:
Infographic showing various Test Kitchen job openings in Ontario as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,612 per year, or $23.4 per hour.

Research & Development Technician (Bakery Manufacturing)

Dessert Holdings Inc.

London, ON • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Dessert Holdings rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

212th of 434 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Research & Development Technician (Bakery Manufacturing)

Dessert Holdings is the leading premium dessert company in the world. We craft artisanal, scratch-made desserts at scale, combining culinary innovation with the finest real ingredients. With a rich heritage spanning seven distinctive brands, we bring unmatched expertise and tailored solutions to our Retail and Foodservice partners.

The Research & Development Technician in London, Ontario will assist the R&D Department to ensure timely completion of the following duties.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Mix, scale, bake, finish, and coordinate shipments of test products, utilizing ovens, stoves, mixers, and other bakery equipment
  • Coordinate sample shipments, including organizing, packing, labeling, and tracking.
  • Maintain test kitchen ingredients and record lot codes.
  • Organize R&D kitchen and ensure kitchen is clean and sanitized at end of shift.
  • Working with purchasing, locate and order new R&D ingredients and/or packaging materials.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Prior work experience in food manufacturing preferred
  • Ability to follow and adhere to HACCP plants, GMPs, and maintain a clean, safe and sanitary workplace
  • Ability to work in both office and plant settings, including walk-in cooler and freezer, and to work with allergens such as milk, soy, wheat, egg, tree nuts and peanuts
  • Computer skills including Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word
  • Strong math skills
  • Excellent attention to detail and good communication

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: The Original Cakerie, Lawler’s Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Steven Charles, Dianne’s Fine Desserts, Kenny’s Great Pies, and Willamette Valley Pie Company. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, employs more than 3,500 people across ten manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.


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