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Assistant Chef Jobs in Cottondale, AL (NOW HIRING)

Upper Crust Food Service

Head Chef

Tuscaloosa, AL · On-site

Head Chefs are responsible for creating, planning, and executing all fresh, from scratch weekly ... Maintain a professional and positive attitude with coworkers and customers. * Assist in planning ...

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Assistant Chef information

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$8

$18

$35

How much do assistant chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant chef in Cottondale, AL is $18.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.62 and $20.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chef assistant do?

A chef assistant provides support for the head chef of a restaurant, bakery, catering business, or cafeteria. As a chef assistant, your job duties include managing inventory, ensuring that the kitchen meets food safety and cleanliness standards, and helping kitchen staff with food preparation. The qualifications for a career as a chef assistant vary by employer, but typically include training from a culinary school, proven cooking skills, and experience working in a kitchen. You need strong teamwork abilities and a willingness to work a flexible schedule.

What is an assistant chef?

Assistant Chefs, also known as commis chefs or junior chefs, support the head chef and sous chef in a professional kitchen. Their responsibilities typically include preparing ingredients, cooking basic dishes, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and helping with inventory management. They play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth workflow and may also assist in plating dishes and learning advanced culinary techniques. This position is often an entry-level role for those pursuing a culinary career, offering hands-on experience and opportunities for advancement.

How does an assistant chef typically collaborate with the head chef and other kitchen staff during service?

As an Assistant Chef, you play a vital role in supporting the Head Chef by preparing ingredients, ensuring stations are well-stocked, and executing dishes according to established recipes and quality standards. Collaboration is constant—clear communication with the Head Chef and other cooks helps maintain a smooth workflow, especially during busy service hours. You may also assist in training junior staff and step in to manage specific sections of the kitchen when needed, making adaptability and teamwork essential traits for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Chef, you need a solid understanding of culinary techniques, food safety standards, and experience in a kitchen environment, often supported by a culinary certificate or diploma. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food hygiene certifications like ServSafe is typically required. Strong teamwork, time management, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills that help in supporting the head chef and ensuring smooth kitchen operations. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining food quality, efficiency, and safety in a fast-paced culinary setting.

What is the difference between Assistant Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectAssistant ChefLine Cook
CredentialsBasic culinary training, certifications varyBasic culinary skills, often no formal certification required
Work EnvironmentAssists head chef, supports kitchen operationsPrepares specific dishes on the line during service
Employer & Industry UsageHotels, restaurants, catering servicesRestaurants, hotels, catering
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Assistant Chef typically supports the head chef and handles a variety of kitchen tasks, often with some formal training. Line Cooks focus on preparing specific dishes during service, usually with less supervision. Both roles are essential in culinary operations, but Assistant Chefs often have broader responsibilities and may oversee Line Cooks.

More about Assistant Chef jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Cottondale, AL?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Cottondale, AL are:

What cities near Cottondale, AL are hiring for Assistant Chef jobs?

Cities near Cottondale, AL with the most Assistant Chef job openings:

Assistant Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Chef job openings in Cottondale, AL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,372 per year, or $18.9 per hour.

Operational Support Chef

Southern Foodservice Management, Inc

Tuscaloosa, AL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Operational Support Chef to support culinary operations at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This role is ideal for a chef who excels in large-scale, high-energy food service environments and can provide leadership during events, peak periods, staffing gaps, and special assignments. The ideal candidate has a strong background in high-volume food production, food safety and sanitation, team support, and the flexibility to travel extensively for coverage and operational support needs. The candidate will train to run or assist one of the production kitchens during game week and will be responsible for the timing and execution of food delivery to multiple service areas. Extensive travel is required to provide coverage and operational support across multiple locations.
Key Responsibilities
  • Support high-volume food production and event service execution at Bryant-Denny Stadium and related operations.
  • Train to run or assist one of the production kitchens during game week.
  • Manage the timing and execution of food delivery to multiple service areas to support seamless event operations.
  • Travel extensively to provide coverage, operational support, and transition assistance across locations or assignments as needed.
  • Lead food preparation, service readiness, quality standards, and execution during high-demand service periods.
  • Ensure full compliance with food safety, sanitation, labeling, storage, and temperature control standards.
  • Train and support culinary teams on production methods, cleanliness, organization, and service best practices.
  • Assist with event preparation, menu execution, station setup, and labor support.
  • Help resolve operational issues quickly and maintain strong client and guest experience standards.
  • Partner with leadership to support successful event execution and day-to-day operational performance.

Qualifications
  • Proven culinary leadership experience in high-volume food production, stadium dining, event catering, contract dining, or a comparable food service environment.
  • Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, HACCP principles, and regulatory compliance.
  • Demonstrated success working in fast-paced, large-scale service environments with shifting operational demands.
  • Strong communication and people skills, with the ability to work effectively with culinary teams, leadership, and operational partners.
  • Excellent leadership and organizational skills.
  • Ability and willingness to travel extensively for coverage and operational support needs.
  • Experience supporting large venues, athletic facilities, or stadium operations is strongly preferred.
  • ServSafe certification or equivalent food safety credential is preferred.

What We Are Looking For
The right candidate is a strong, flexible operator who can lead under pressure, communicate effectively, work well with people, maintain high culinary and sanitation standards, and integrate quickly into demanding event-driven environments. You should be comfortable supporting multiple teams, responding to changing operational needs, and traveling extensively to ensure successful coverage and execution.
If you are an experienced chef who thrives in stadium and high-volume event operations and is ready to support dynamic culinary teams, we encourage you to apply.
Requirements
Physical Requirements
  • Strength: Lift up to 50lbs
  • Posture: Standing 50%, Walking 50%
  • Movement of objects: Occasionally
  • Heavy lifting, Heavy Carrying, Pushing, Pulling: Occasionally
  • Climbing or Balancing: Occasionally
  • Stooping: Occasionally
  • Reaching: Occasionally
  • Handling: Occasionally
  • Talking/Hearing: Frequent
  • Seeing: Frequent
  • Temperature Variation: Occasionally
  • Typing: Frequent
  • Reading: Frequent

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