Culinary R&D Chef

Job Title: Culinary R&D Chef About Us Do you want to work at the ground level for a promising restaurant chain aspiring to be a national brand? For over 25 years, our brand has been leading and redefining the quick service restaurant industry in Hamilton with quality ingredients and uncompromising procedures. Our motto is “Fresh Food Fast”, and we believe that training our team to deliver the best and most efficient possible service to our customers is key to our success. Our head office oversees menu development, operational standards, supply chain coordination, and brand quality. We are expanding our team and are seeking a Culinary R&D Chef to support product innovation, recipe standardization, and quality assurance. Position Summary The successful applicant will be responsible for developing, evaluating, and refining menu items before they are introduced across all corporate locations. This role ensures every recipe meets brand standards for taste, consistency, cost efficiency, and operational practicality. The Testing Chef works closely with R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Training teams at the Hamilton head office. Responsibilities Develop, test, and refine new menu items for chain-wide rollout. Standardize recipes, portion sizes, cooking procedures, and plating guidelines. Conduct controlled kitchen tests to evaluate taste, texture, shelf life, and operational feasibility. Work with Supply Chain to assess ingredient sourcing and validate cost and availability. Create detailed recipe documentation and procedural guides. Test equipment, cooking methods, and workflow efficiency for restaurant-level execution. Perform quality assurance testing on existing menu items to ensure consistency. Assist in the development of instructional materials for store-level staff. Participate in tasting panels, sensory evaluations, and product comparison testing. Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant test kitchen environment. Mandatory Qualifications 3–5 years of experience as a chef, culinary developer, and/or similar role. Strong understanding of commercial kitchen operations and equipment. Experience with recipe breakdown, sourcing, and costing Experience in multi-location restaurant environments is an asset. Excellent documentation skills and attention to detail. Ability to balance creativity with operational practicality and cost control. Strong communication and cross-department collaboration skills. What We Offer Opportunity to influence menu direction across a growing Ontario-based restaurant brand. Modern test kitchen and collaborative work environment at our Hamilton head office. Career growth within culinary development and corporate operations. Job Description: BENEFITS AND PERKS · CA$20.00 to 25.00 per hour (paid weekly) (negotiable) · Part-time, 28 hours per week (Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 4 pm) · On-site parking LOCATION · Hamilton, Ontario Job Type: Part-time Pay: $20.00-$25.00 per hour Expected hours: 28.0 per week Benefits: On-site parking Work Location: In person

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