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Test Kitchen Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nole

Culinary Assistant

Metairie, LA · On-site

Culinary Support - Test kitchen set up/break down, organization of inventory in test kitchen, support the executive kitchen manager, etc. Safety, security, and sanitation - Maintains and manages the ...

DANIEL

Research and Development Chef

New York, NY

Test Kitchen Management * Oversee the daily operation and organization of the test kitchen. * Maintain cleanliness, inventory, equipment, culinary tools, and cookbook library. * Schedule kitchen ...

Del Taco, LLC

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA

$89K - $110K/yr

Lake Forest, CA Test Kitchen SALARY RANGE : $89,000 - $110,000 / Annual SUMMARY: The position supports the organization in the identification, ideation, development and implementation of New Product ...

Del Taco

R&D Chef

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$89K - $110K/yr

Lake Forest, CA Test Kitchen SALARY RANGE : $89,000 - $110,000 / Annual SUMMARY: The position supports the organization in the identification, ideation, development and implementation of New Product ...

Grey Dog Media LLC

Food Stylist

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

Style food and sets for photography and video in collaboration with our Test Kitchen and creative teams. * Develop, test, and edit recipes for print, digital, and video projects. * Source and prep ...

SkyChefs

International Cook (ATL)

Atlanta, GA

$22/hr

They will also be responsible for maintaining all aspects of the test kitchen to include ordering, maintenance, inventory control, FIFO rotation, and cleanliness. Main Accountabilities Responsible ...

RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc.

Culinary Specialist

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$33K - $44K/yr

Responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Test Kitchen, including inventorying all incoming products, cleaning and sanitizing equipment and managing the Test Kitchen schedule. * Develops ...

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How much do test kitchen jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for test kitchen in the United States is $25.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $28.61 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.

More about Test Kitchen jobs
What cities are hiring for Test Kitchen jobs? Cities with the most Test Kitchen job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Test Kitchen jobs? The most popular types of Test Kitchen jobs are:
What states have the most Test Kitchen jobs? States with the most job openings for Test Kitchen jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Test Kitchen jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Test Kitchen jobs are:
Test Kitchen jobs near you
Infographic showing various Test Kitchen job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $52,688 per year, or $25.3 per hour.
Culinary Assistant

Culinary Assistant

Nole

Metairie, LA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

The ACI Culinary Assistant is primarily responsible for assisting all R&D functions, including the organization & maintenance of the corporate test kitchen, product transportation, and assisting all R&D writing and Research and Development functions, including showings & tastings.
Responsibilities include:
Culinary Support - Test kitchen set up/break down, organization of inventory in test kitchen, support the executive kitchen manager, etc.
Safety, security, and sanitation - Maintains and manages the kitchen's organization, cleanliness, and equipment/smallware.
Effective business management - Partners with Peer Managers in increasing sales and maintaining cost controls regarding food, beverage, supplies, and labor goals.
External guest satisfaction - Responsible for resolving concerns of food quality effectively and efficiently.
Internal guest development and satisfaction - Promotes a culture of performance accountability and recognition through open communication discussions regarding expectations, performance evaluations, and ongoing mentoring/coaching.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- 2+ years of Restaurant Management experience in a full-service restaurant setting.
- Systems-oriented with experience in a high-volume scratch and/or spec recipe kitchen.
- Strong to moderate "People Management" and communication skills
- Ability to work with peer Managers on acting plans to improve financial controls. (food costs, labor costs, and controllable expenses)
- Sanitation certification
- Good technical writing, documentation, and recording skills

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