Indulging in delicious food and getting paid for it sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, for professional food tasters, it’s a reality. They sample a variety of cuisine and provide expert feedback. However, earning money by tasting food depends on your location and discerning taste buds. There are two paths to food testing: full-time careers or consumer surveys. While the former is a coveted role, the latter is a fun and accessible way to earn extra cash. Either way, food-tasting jobs are a delectable blend of work and pleasure.
Fair Warning: Food Tasting Aren’t Easy to Get
When it comes to landing the best food taster jobs, it’s no easy feat. These high-demand positions often require specialized culinary training or a unique talent for identifying different flavors in dishes. One company that recently hired part-time tasters had a staggering 400 applicants for just ten spots!
To make the cut, candidates had to demonstrate their exceptional taste and smell recognition skills and ability to articulate their sensory experiences. Once on the job, these tasters had to learn a whole new language of descriptive analysis to accurately communicate the flavors and qualities of the food they tasted.
Being a frozen food taster is much more than just a simple approval or disapproval of a new pizza flavor. The role requires intense training to become a “sensory panelist” and taste tester. The work is not easy either – one taster famously suffered mouth blisters from the excessive salt in the food. But the job could pay more than $16 per hour for those who can handle it.
Where to Find Food-Tasting Jobs
If you’re a foodie looking for delicious paying gigs to taste scrumptious meals, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of sensory testing companies that manufacturers use to sample their products. We’ve also included some manufacturers that pay for taste testers like you! While most places have the same criteria, such as a minimum age of 18 or 21 and no food allergies, it’s helpful to be near one of these testing centers.
Our list is exclusively curated to offer actual money in exchange for your job. So, sorry, no complimentary food coupons here!
McCormick Corporation
Are you a foodie or love to taste new things? Well, McCormick may have the perfect gig for you! This Fortune 500 company specializes in spices, seasonings, and condiments and always looks for taste testers to sample its products. Whether you prefer to taste at their headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland, or from the comfort of your own home, they’ve got you covered. Plus, they’ll even pay you for your time! Register now and enjoy sampling a range of foods, snacks, and beverages up to four times a year. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to be a part of McCormick’s taste-testing program.
Contract Testing Incorporated
If you’ve got a discerning palate and you’re looking for a side hustle, CTI might have just the thing for you. This massive player in the world of taste testing is on the hunt for dedicated foodies to help evaluate a diverse range of products from soups to sandwiches, French fries to frozen dinners.
To get started, you’ll need to register and create a profile, ideally living close to one of CTI’s many North American locations. And while assignments are rare, when they do come up, you’ll be given all the details you need, from pay rates to directions to the site.
Bear in mind, however, that you’ll only be allowed to participate in CTI’s taste testing studies five times a year. But with a minimum payout of $25-30 per assignment, it’s certainly not a bad way to turn your love of food into a little extra cash.
AOC Marketing Research
AOC’s got the perfect opportunity if you’re looking for a steady stream of food testing jobs. This company is always looking for people to sample its range of products and provide feedback on their tastes. The best part? You can do it all from the comfort of your own home!
You’ll need to register with AOC before you can start tasting their products, which usually involve frozen meals such as pizza or macaroni and cheese. Once your application is approved, you can participate in any research projects available – and get paid up to $100 per assignment! So if you’re willing to invest some time into honing your taste buds, this could be what you’re looking for.
Consumer Product Testing Center
At the Consumer Product Testing Centre in downtown Edmonton, you can taste-test various foods, including potato chips, yogurt, and even bison steaks, for the Canadian government. The pay may be minimal, but the experience of being a tasting panelist is priceless. You’ll get to sample sports drinks, tortilla chips, energy bars, and many other treats. The Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc also conducts taste tests. During a 15 to a 45-minute panel, you’ll evaluate the flavors of pasta meals, crackers, fried chicken, and even chocolate. This is an excellent opportunity for foodies who want to share their thoughts and opinions on different foods while earning some extra cash. Participants can sign up for up to three or four panels a year. Come and experience the world of food testing!
Apex Life Sciences
Apex Life Sciences is a leader in the food and beverage industry, offering sensory testing services to some of the biggest names in the business. If you want to join their team of tasters, you’ll need to pass their online questionnaire. This will assess your taste preferences for everything from cheese to chocolate – so get ready for an exciting ride!
Once accepted, you can expect assignments ranging from lunchtime tasting sessions at Apex’s office in Brookfield, Wisconsin, or even home-based studies that could take up to two days or more. Depending on the complexity and duration of each assignment, testers are usually paid between $25-$100 per job.
MMR Research
Are you looking for a part-time gig that allows you to indulge in your love for tasty treats? You might want to check out MMR, a company that collaborates with some of the biggest brands. According to a recent job posting on Indeed, MMR is searching for part-time sensory panelists and product evaluators in several locations across the US. As a successful candidate, you’ll have the opportunity to earn $17/hour while working 12 hours per week. So if you’re in Frisco, Texas, or any of the other locations mentioned, go ahead and grab your chance to taste-test some fantastic products!
Schwan’s Company
The Schwan’s Company is a leading provider of frozen foods, offering the chance to become part of their team as a sensory panelist. According to their career page, Schwan’s is always looking for candidates who can help them improve the quality and taste of their products. As a successful candidate, you’ll get to attend tasting sessions in their Marshall, Minnesota offices and sample various products ranging from ice creams to pizzas. Not only will you have the opportunity to leave your mark on these tasty treats – but you’ll also earn an hourly rate of up to $30 per hour!
National Food Lab
The National Food Lab is an internationally renowned research and development company specializing in food testing. If you’re a regular at your local grocery store, this could be the perfect job for you. As a panelist, you’ll taste-test products like cereals, chips, and ice creams while evaluating their texture, flavor, and overall quality. The pay rate is around $15/hour – not bad for enjoying some of the country’s top snacks!
TasteMakers Research Corporation
TasteMakers partners with significant players like Kellogg’s, Del Monte, and Pepsi to conduct taste tests across the United States. While their central hub is in sunny Los Angeles, they go where the research takes them. As a registered member, you’ll answer questions about your grocery habits, dietary needs, and brand preferences. And when a market research study comes to your area, you can expect a message from TasteMakers.
Tasteocracy
Are you a foodie located in Minnesota or the East Bay area of California? Tasteocracy is inviting you to become a food tester! By simply registering and setting up an account, you can gain access to countless food-tasting opportunities. Keep an eye out for available studies on your account page for the chance to earn about $40 per hour-long session. While you may not be contacted for every eligible test, logging in and checking for yourself is the best way to stay informed. Join the Tasteocracy community and indulge in your love for food today!
Solae
Solae, a global food manufacturer specializing in soy-based products, offers an exciting opportunity to earn rewards by participating in taste testing. You’ll be compensated with points, which can be redeemed for gift cards to popular restaurants like Red Lobster and Starbucks, travel, and more. The testing conditions are carefully controlled to ensure optimal focus, and each study takes 5-15 minutes. If you’re located near St. Louis, Missouri, this could be your chance to try new products and get rewarded for your opinions. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity with Solae!
Pros and Cons of Food Tasting Gigs
Food tasting is an exciting way to make money, but it has drawbacks. On the plus side, you’ll be able to enjoy free meals and snacks all day – but only if you’re careful not to overindulge! Furthermore, most of these gigs involve more than just eating: you might be required to answer questions about texture or flavor, write detailed reports on the sample’s perceived quality, and even fill out surveys at the end of each session. Finally, your feedback could have a direct impact on products that millions of people consume every day.
On the other hand, food testing jobs can be pretty inconsistent. You may find yourself waiting weeks between assignments and feeling like your time has been wasted. Furthermore, depending on the company, you might not be compensated for your transportation costs. So if you want to get paid to eat without any strings attached, consumer surveys may suit you.
Other Ways to Get Paid for Food Tasting
Paid Marketing Research Trials
Consider becoming a taste tester for nationwide market research firms! You’ll get paid anywhere from $5 to $20 for short surveys or an average of $50 to $200 for longer surveys. Your input helps companies save millions by providing crucial feedback on new food products, services, and other products before they launch. So why not indulge in some delicious products while earning extra cash simultaneously?
Become a Food Critic
As a food critic, you can try new foods at various restaurants and give honest reviews. Why not create a personal blog or social media page to showcase your expertise? And don’t stop there – landing multiple gigs as a freelance critic can earn you a pretty penny. To take your career to the next level, pitch yourself to local publications, eventually building up to a full-time job. Even if you lack experience, writing skills, or a degree in English, Journalism, or Communications, starting with entry-level writing positions can set you on the path to becoming a successful food critic.
Become a Food Blogger
If you’re passionate about food and enjoy writing, why not take your content creation to the next level? Creating a food blog gives you a platform to share recipes, reviews, and more. Whether through sponsored posts or advertising revenue, there are plenty of ways to monetize your page and get paid for your work.
No matter which path you choose when getting paid to eat as a food taster, ensure the job is enjoyable and worth your time. With dedication and effort, you can make money doing something you love – all while indulging in delicious cuisine!
Why Not Get Paid to Try Food?
Becoming a food taster can be a great way to turn your passion for food into a paid profession. If you love trying new dishes, exploring different flavors, and enjoying giving your honest opinion, then food-tasting jobs are perfect for you. Whether you are a trained culinary professional or a food enthusiast, you have a food-tasting job. So, don’t wait! Start exploring these opportunities today!
