Research Chef

Bell Flavors & Fragrances Inc. is seeking a creative and hands-on Research Chef to join our Research & Development team in Northbrook IL. This role supports culinary innovation through concept development prototype creation recipe and formula testing product demonstrations and collaboration with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate is passionate about food skilled in culinary execution and excited to apply food science principles in a product development environment.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Research source and prepare high-quality food concepts and prototypes for appropriate business channels.
• Support day-to-day test kitchen operations including inventory organization cleaning materials and kitchen readiness.
• Collaborate with Sales Marketing Finance and R&D to deliver innovative product concepts in a timely and fiscally responsible manner.
• Write test edit and improve proprietary commercial formulas and home-cook recipes while maintaining formula and recipe integrity.
• Demonstrate cooking methods train others on basic culinary skills and showcase Bell products.
• Coordinate food products and presentation materials for customer meetings trade shows internal events and product demonstrations.
• Maintain accurate scientific notebooks data records and documentation to support reliable decision-making.
• Travel up to 20% of the time for customer presentations trade shows demonstrations and related business activities.

Your Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent restaurant industry experience required.
• Bachelors degree in culinary science Food Science Culinology or a related field required.
• 36 years of experience working for a food manufacturer preferred.
• Minimum of one year of food product development experience in a multi-project environment.
• Strong professional cooking skills and experience developing manufactured food products from raw ingredients to finished consumer-packaged goods.
• Basic understanding of food science principles including preservative systems gums starches emulsifiers flavors sweeteners and basic chemistry.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook Excel PowerPoint and Word.
• Strong written verbal communication presentation interpersonal and team-building skills.
• Passion for food cooking product innovation and demonstrating culinary applications.

Why Join Us

• Competitive salary range of $50000 - $100000
• Full-time benefits package
• Ideal role for a chef who enjoys hands-on development customer-facing demonstrations and bringing innovative food concepts to life.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Be part of a supportive and collaborative team
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Required Experience:

IC