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A Chef Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

TN-Big Orange Grill

Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

Chef Athenian Hospitality Group -- Knoxville, TN Full-Time, Salaried | $70,000-$100,000/year ... This is a hands-on leadership role with full ownership of the back of house -- the food, the team ...

NHC

Chef for Long Term Care

Murfreesboro, TN · On-site

$22/hr

Chef Grow your career with NHC! No late nights! Make Lives Better Including Yours! If you want to ... At NHC it is more than a paycheck; it is about creating a difference in the lives of our residents!

584 BEER LLC

Pizza Chef

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Job Summary We are seeking a talented Pizza Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for preparing delicious pizzas for our customers. The ideal candidate is experienced, social ...

584 BEER LLC

Pizza Chef

Memphis, TN

$15 - $20/hr

Job Summary We are seeking a talented Pizza Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for preparing delicious pizzas for our customers. The ideal candidate is experienced, social ...

584 BEER LLC

Pizza Chef

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Training & development Job Summary We are seeking a talented Pizza Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for preparing delicious pizzas for our customers. The ideal candidate is ...

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Executive Chef

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$61K - $84K/yr

Ruth's Chris Steak House is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and passionate Executive Chef to lead our kitchen with precision, creativity, and commitment to excellence. About Us Ruth's Chris is a ...

Marriott Knoxville Downtown

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Sous Chef We are seeking a talented and motivated Sous Chef to support the Executive Chef in leading kitchen operations and delivering exceptional culinary experiences. This role includes supervising ...

Marriott Knoxville Downtown

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN

$47K - $64K/yr

Sous Chef We are seeking a talented and motivated Sous Chef to support the Executive Chef in leading kitchen operations and delivering exceptional culinary experiences. This role includes supervising ...

Marriott Knoxville Downtown

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Sous Chef We are seeking a talented and motivated Sous Chef to support the Executive Chef in leading kitchen operations and delivering exceptional culinary experiences. This role includes supervising ...

Hilton Knoxville

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Sous Chef We are seeking a talented and motivated Sous Chef to support the Executive Chef in leading kitchen operations and delivering exceptional culinary experiences. This role includes supervising ...

Hilton Knoxville

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Sous Chef We are seeking a talented and motivated Sous Chef to support the Executive Chef in leading kitchen operations and delivering exceptional culinary experiences. This role includes supervising ...

Hilton Knoxville

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Sous Chef We are seeking a talented and motivated Sous Chef to support the Executive Chef in leading kitchen operations and delivering exceptional culinary experiences. This role includes supervising ...

Avion Hospitality

Chef de Cuisine

Memphis, TN · On-site

$64K - $88K/yr

We are seeking a talented and experienced Chef de Cuisine to lead our culinary team and oversee all kitchen operations. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate culinary professional to bring ...

The Crossings at Tellico Village

Sous Chef

Loudon, TN · On-site

$21/hr

As a Sous Chef, you will be responsible for ensuring all food items are prepared to culinary standards and provide residents with an exceptional dining experience while maintaining portion control ...

The Crossings at Tellico Village

Sous Chef

Loudon, TN · On-site

$44K - $59K/yr

As a Sous Chef, you will be responsible for ensuring all food items are prepared to culinary standards and provide residents with an exceptional dining experience while maintaining portion control ...

SPB Hospitality

Chef de Cuisine

Nashville, TN · On-site

$64K - $87K/yr

Seeking a culture driven, organized and energetic Chef de Cuisine (CDC) for our NEW Village Whiskey concept opening in the Gulch. Featuring a comprehensive selection of more than 200 whiskeys ...

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All JobsA Chef JobsA Chef Jobs in Tennessee

A Chef information

See Tennessee salary details

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How much do a chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for a chef in Tennessee is $22.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.29 and $28.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between A Chef vs A Cook?

AspectA ChefA Cook
CredentialsFormal culinary training or culinary degree often preferredMay have informal training or on-the-job experience
Work EnvironmentProfessional kitchens, restaurants, hotelsHome kitchens, small restaurants, catering
ResponsibilitiesMenu planning, supervising kitchen staff, quality controlFood preparation, cooking, following recipes
Industry UsageCommonly used in professional culinary settingsUsed in both professional and home cooking contexts

While both A Chef and A Cook work in culinary environments, A Chef typically has formal training, oversees kitchen operations, and manages staff, whereas A Cook focuses on preparing food according to recipes, often with less formal education. The roles overlap in food preparation, but A Chef's responsibilities are broader and more managerial.

What does a chef do?

A chef is responsible for planning menus, preparing and cooking food, and overseeing kitchen staff in restaurants or other food service settings. Chefs ensure the quality and presentation of dishes, maintain kitchen hygiene standards, and often manage inventory and food costs. They may also create new recipes and collaborate with other staff to deliver a memorable dining experience. Chefs can specialize in different types of cuisine and work in various environments, from fine dining restaurants to catering companies.

What jobs can you do as a chef?

As a chef, you can work in various roles such as executive chef, sous chef, pastry chef, line cook, or kitchen manager. These positions involve preparing food, managing kitchen staff, and overseeing food quality in restaurants, hotels, catering services, or institutional settings. Skills in culinary techniques, food safety, and kitchen management are essential for these roles.

What type of job is a chef?

A chef is a professional who prepares, cooks, and presents food in restaurants, hotels, or other food service establishments. The role requires culinary skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often involves working in fast-paced environments, sometimes with certifications like ServSafe. Chefs may specialize in specific cuisines or techniques and often work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.

What are some common challenges chefs face when managing a busy kitchen during peak service times?

During peak service hours, chefs often face the challenge of coordinating multiple orders while maintaining high food quality and timely delivery. Managing staff communication, adapting to unexpected issues like equipment malfunction or ingredient shortages, and ensuring food safety standards can add to the pressure. Successful chefs develop strong organizational and leadership skills to keep the team focused and the kitchen running smoothly under stress.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chef?

To thrive as a Chef, you need strong culinary skills, a deep understanding of food safety, and typically a degree or certification from a culinary school. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food handling certifications like ServSafe are essential. Creativity, leadership, and effective communication set outstanding chefs apart, enabling them to inspire teams and deliver exceptional dining experiences. These skills are vital to maintain kitchen efficiency, uphold safety standards, and consistently produce high-quality dishes in a fast-paced environment.

Is a chef a high paid job?

A chef's salary varies based on experience, location, and the type of establishment, but generally, chefs earn moderate to high wages compared to many other food service roles. Executive chefs and those working in fine dining or luxury hotels tend to have higher salaries, often supplemented with tips and benefits. However, entry-level chefs typically earn lower wages and may work long hours.

What kind of job is a chef?

A chef is a professional responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting food in restaurants, hotels, or other food service establishments. The role requires culinary skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often involves working in a fast-paced environment, sometimes with specialized equipment. Chefs may hold titles such as executive chef, sous chef, or line cook, and often need formal training or culinary certifications.

What are the most commonly searched types of A Chef jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of A Chef jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for A Chef jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most A Chef job openings:

A Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various A Chef job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,493 per year, or $22.4 per hour.

Chef

TN-Big Orange Grill

Knoxville, TN • On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Chef
Athenian Hospitality Group — Knoxville, TN
Full-Time, Salaried | $70,000–$100,000/year

Athenian Hospitality Group is hiring an experienced Chef to lead our Knoxville kitchen. This is a hands-on leadership role with full ownership of the back of house — the food, the team, and the numbers.

Kitchen Leadership

You run the kitchen. That means setting the pace during service, expediting when it gets deep, and making the call when something goes sideways — a callout, a walk-in that fails overnight, a rush that arrives forty-five minutes early. Your crew takes its temperature from you, so composure under volume isn't a bonus here, it's the core of the job. When you're off, the kitchen should still run to your standard, because you built it that way.

Food Quality & Consistency

Every plate leaving the pass is yours. You set specs for portion, seasoning, temperature, and presentation, and you check them — not just on slow nights. Consistency is what turns a good meal into a returning guest, and it comes from written recipes, clear plate builds, and a chef who tastes throughout the shift instead of assuming.

Menu Development

You bring ideas and you cost them before they hit the board. That means seasonal specials, smarter cross-utilization so one product feeds three dishes, and prep methods that hold quality without adding hours. A good chef can look at a dish and tell you the food cost, the yield, and how it will hold up on a Saturday at peak.

Cost & Inventory Control

Ordering to par, receiving and checking every delivery, running inventory on schedule, and tracking waste daily. You manage food cost and labor against sales and can explain any movement in either — which product, which shift, which decision. Vendor relationships are part of this: you know your prices and you notice when they change.

Team Building & Training

You hire, train, schedule, and develop cooks. The measure of a chef isn't the food they can produce alone — it's the cooks they build who can produce it without them. That means teaching technique and the reason behind it, correcting in the moment without blowing up the line, and giving people a path forward so they stay.

Safety & Sanitation

Health code standards, temperature logs, dating and labeling, allergen protocol, and a clean, organized kitchen — every shift, not the morning of an inspection. Coolers organized, stations broken down properly, and a team that follows the standard because you've made it normal.

Requirements

  • Proven experience as a Chef, Executive Chef, Sous Chef, or Kitchen Manager in a high-volume kitchen
  • Strong command of food cost, inventory, ordering, and labor management
  • Demonstrated ability to hire, train, and retain kitchen staff
  • ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain)
  • Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as business requires
  • Scratch cooking background preferred; Mediterranean/Greek cuisine experience is a plus but not required

What We Offer

  • $70,000–$100,000 annually, based on experience
  • Growth opportunity with an expanding company
  • Direct working relationship with ownership
  • Employee meals

Athenian Hospitality Group is an equal opportunity employer.


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