Recipe Development Chef

Smash Burger Co.’s sauce formulation specialist.

Food Scientist / Sauce Formulation Specialist – Truffle Burger Sauce

Company: Smash Burger Co.
Location: Southern California / Los Angeles County. Remote specialists considered if samples can be shipped.
Project: Paid sauce development project
Proposed compensation: $500–$2,500 fixed project fee, depending on experience and agreed scope. Fixed-price proposals preferred.

About the Project

Smash Burger Co. is seeking an experienced food scientist, sauce formulation specialist, or culinary product developer to create a signature truffle burger sauce.

We are looking for someone who can turn our desired flavor profile into a delicious, consistent recipe that can be reproduced accurately and scaled for commercial use. We will provide flavor references and feedback on taste, aroma, texture, and appearance.

Responsibilities and Deliverables

• Develop 2–3 initial sauce prototypes for tasting. One would be Truffle sauce & Truffle spicy orange sauce
• Refine the selected prototype through agreed rounds of revisions.
• Provide the final formula with exact ingredient weights in grams and percentages.
• Supply small test-batch and one-gallon production formulas.
• Document preparation methods, mixing order, equipment, and relevant processing temperatures.
• Recommend ingredients and reliable suppliers.
• Estimate ingredient costs per batch.
• Identify allergens and provide storage and refrigeration guidance.
• Explain what testing is needed to establish shelf life and support commercial production.
• Recommend next steps for larger-scale manufacturing or co-packing.

Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrated experience developing sauces, dressings, condiments, or similar food products.
• Strong understanding of flavor balance, texture, emulsions, and batch consistency.
• Ability to translate tasting feedback into measurable recipe improvements.
• Experience scaling recipes beyond a home kitchen.
• Knowledge of food safety, shelf-life testing, and commercial production.
• Clear communication and thorough written documentation.

Experience with truffle sauces or burger sauces is a plus. Please describe your direct formulation experience and provide examples of relevant projects.

Confidentiality and Formula Ownership

The selected candidate must agree to confidentiality and written terms giving Smash Burger Co. ownership of the final custom formula and project deliverables.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Your relevant experience and examples of sauces or food products you have developed.
• Your proposed development process, including prototypes and revision rounds.
• Your estimated completion timeline.
• Your total project quote and what it includes, including ingredients, sample shipping, and any testing.
• Your location and ability to arrange tastings or ship samples.
• Your experience supporting shelf-life testing and commercial-scale production.

We are looking for someone who can help us create a distinctive sauce customers will remember and come back for. Contact [email protected]

Pay: $500.00 - $2,500.00 per day

License/Certification:

• sauce development experience (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in West Covina, CA 91790