Research & Development Chef

About the Role

We are looking for a talented, imaginative, and hands-on R&D Chef to lead culinary innovation across our high-volume production kitchens. This is a rare opportunity for a creative chef who loves both the art of developing new recipes and the discipline of bringing them to life at scale. If you are someone who gets excited walking through a farmers market, sees opportunity in every seasonal ingredient, and can turn a simple idea into a signature dish we want to hear from you.

About Us

We are a beloved New York City gourmet grocery institution with multiple locations, producing an extensive range of made-from-scratch products daily including soups, salads, entrées, sauces, sandwiches, dressings, and desserts. We take pride in our long-standing recipes while continuously evolving our menu with fresh, seasonal, and innovative offerings. Quality and creativity are at the heart of everything we do.

What You'll Do:

Recipe Development & Innovation

• Develop original recipes and creatively reimagine existing ones, keeping our menu fresh, exciting, and aligned with current culinary trends

• Work with new and seasonal ingredients entering the market daily, testing and developing recipes that showcase their unique qualities

• Partner closely with ownership to bring bold culinary concepts to life that reflect the brand's vision and standards

• Create recipes that are both innovative and executable at scale across multiple locations

Culinary Operations & Quality

• Standardize and implement recipes across all locations, ensuring consistency in taste, quality, and presentation

• Apply deep knowledge of seasonal ingredients to enhance flavors, ensure freshness, and inspire new menu ideas

• Develop creative strategies for repurposing surplus ingredients to minimize waste — transforming day-old bread into croutons or garlic bread, turning vegetable trimmings into soups and stocks, and finding smart uses for every ingredient in the kitchen

• Maintain the highest brand standards across all products at all times

Who You Are

• A natural creative with a passion for food, flavor, and culinary storytelling

• An experienced chef with a strong background in recipe development and high-volume kitchen operations

• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of managing multiple projects independently

• A strong collaborator who communicates well and thrives in a fast-paced environment

• Deeply knowledgeable about seasonal ingredients and their culinary applications

• Flexible, resourceful, and energized by the ever-changing nature of a dynamic kitchen

Benefits:
We offer a competitive benefits package as part of our compensation for this full-time position.

Schedule
Monday to Friday
Weekend availability as needed 
Ability to Commute / Relocate

New York, NY: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Experience
Culinary experience: 5+ years (Preferred)
Cooking experience: 5+ years (Preferred)

Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Health insurance
PTO