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Test Kitchen Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Snackruptors Inc

R&D Specialist

Mountville, PA

Oversee daily operations of the R&D test kitchen, including ingredient inventory management, adherence to sanitation protocols, and routine maintenance to ensure a clean, efficient workspace.

Snackruptors Inc

R&D Specialist

Mountville, PA · On-site

Oversee daily operations of the R&D test kitchen, including ingredient inventory management, adherence to sanitation protocols, and routine maintenance to ensure a clean, efficient workspace.

Snackruptors Inc

R&D Specialist

Mountville, PA · On-site

Oversee daily operations of the R&D test kitchen, including ingredient inventory management, adherence to sanitation protocols, and routine maintenance to ensure a clean, efficient workspace.

Snackruptors Inc

R&D Specialist

Mountville, PA · On-site

Oversee daily operations of the R&D test kitchen, including ingredient inventory management, adherence to sanitation protocols, and routine maintenance to ensure a clean, efficient workspace.

NetCost Market

Kitchen Manager

Wilkes Barre Township, PA · On-site

Kitchen Manager Company Overview: At NetCost Market, we strive to meet the highest standards. Fresh ... They are responsible to assist staff for quality and taste test food before serving. * Follow menu ...

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Test Kitchen information

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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 Pennsylvania is $25.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.24 and $28.65 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.
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Test Kitchen jobs near you
Infographic showing various Test Kitchen job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 43% Full Time, 43% Part Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,815 per year, or $25.4 per hour.

Cake Decorator & Product Development Assistant

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

Baker Maid Products
11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Baker Maid Productsexternal

$13.50 - $17.50/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

At Baker Maid, we create decorated cakes and desserts for grocery retailers across the country. Our Pittsburgh kitchen isn't a production bakery. It's where we create customer samples, prepare presentations, and support new product development before ideas make their way into production.

We're looking for an experienced cake decorator to join our small team. Cake decorating is the foundation of this role, but you'll also help keep our product development kitchen running by preparing samples, maintaining records, organizing our product library, and supporting day-to-day projects.


We're a small team, and everyone pitches in. Decorating cakes may be your specialty, but everyone helps keep the kitchen running. That might mean organizing samples, updating spec sheets, washing dishes, or breaking down boxes.

What You'll Be Doing:

  • Decorating cakes and desserts for customer samples and presentations
  • Preparing products for customer reviews and internal evaluations
  • Recording product weights, decorating notes, formulas, and other project documentation
  • Keeping the test kitchen clean, organized, and ready for the next project
  • Helping with decorating trials and other product development support as needed
  • Pitching in wherever needed to help keep projects moving

The Right Person for This Role:

  • Has professional cake decorating experience (commercial bakery or grocery experience is a plus)
  • Has strong knowledge of decorating tips, techniques, and buttercream finishes
  • Can recreate designs from reference photos with consistency and attention to detail
  • Enjoys staying organized and keeping accurate records
  • Is comfortable working with measurements, product weights, and detailed specifications
  • Can work independently and isn't afraid to ask questions
  • Has a positive attitude and enjoys being part of a small team

Bonus Points If You:

  • Have a great eye for color and design
  • Can identify decorating tips and techniques just by looking at a finished cake
  • Have experience supporting product development or R&D
  • Love organizing, labeling, and creating systems that make everyone's job easier

Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
  • Must be comfortable navigating stairs while carrying supplies and equipment (our office is located on the second floor with no elevator)
  • Must be comfortable standing for extended periods while decorating and preparing samples

A Few Details:

  • Approximately 10 to 15 hours per week
  • Flexible schedule
  • Opportunity for additional hours as the role grows

What to Expect:

We'll invite final candidates to complete a paid working interview (stage). It's a chance for us to see your decorating skills, get to know how you work, and make sure it's a good fit for everyone.

If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, we'd love to hear from you. Please send us your résumé along with a few photos of your decorating work or a portfolio.