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Assistant Chef Jobs in Montclair, NJ (NOW HIRING)

FORT GREENE COUNCIL, INC

Assistant Chef

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$22.77/hr

Assistant Chef - Older Adult Services Organization: Fort Greene Council, Inc. (FGC) Employment Type: Full-Time Hourly Rate: $22.77 About Fort Greene Council, Inc. Fort Greene Council, Inc. (FGC) is a ...

Weill Cornell Medical College

Assistant Chef

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$24.18 - $26.37/hr

Assistant Chef Location: Upper East Side Org Unit: Griffis Faculty Club Work Days: Weekdays and some weekends Weekly Hours: 35.00 Exemption Status: Non-Exempt Salary Range: $24.18 - $26.37 *As ...

Arlo NoMad

Sous Chef

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Monitor and correct schedule if overtime is approaching for their work group * Assist chef in biannual employee's evaluations in their work group * Assists with execution of banquets/events during ...

Arlo NoMad

Sous Chef

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Monitor and correct schedule if overtime is approaching for their work group * Assist chef in biannual employee's evaluations in their work group * Assists with execution of banquets/events during ...

Bowlero

Sous Chef

Belleville, NJ · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

Bowlero

Sous Chef

Belleville, NJ · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

Bowlero

Sous Chef

Fair Lawn, NJ

$25 - $28/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

Bowlero

Sous Chef

Fair Lawn, NJ · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

Bowlero

Sous Chef

Belleville, NJ · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

Bowlero

Sous Chef

Belleville, NJ · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

Bowlero

Sous Chef

Belleville, NJ · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

Bowlero

Sous Chef

Fair Lawn, NJ · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

Lucky Strike Entertainment

Sous Chef

Fair Lawn, NJ

$25 - $28/hr

Ensure that our product quality, freshness, and presentation are always at company standard; supervise and oversee the preparation, portioning, garnishing, and storage of all food * Assist Chef with ...

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All JobsChef JobsAssistant Chef JobsAssistant Chef Jobs in Montclair, NJ

Assistant Chef information

See Montclair, NJ salary details

$9

$21

$39

How much do assistant chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant chef in Montclair, NJ is $21.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.39 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are assistant chefs called?

Assistant chefs are commonly referred to as sous chefs or kitchen assistants. They support head chefs by preparing ingredients, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and following recipes, often requiring culinary training or certifications. These roles are essential for smooth kitchen operations and may involve working in fast-paced environments with specific safety standards.

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 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 are Assistant Chefs?

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.

Is 35 too late to become a chef?

Assistant chefs can start their culinary careers at any age, including 35, as many chefs begin training or apprenticeships later in life. Success depends on dedication, gaining relevant skills, and obtaining certifications such as culinary diplomas or food safety licenses. Age is not a barrier to entering the culinary field or advancing as a chef.

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.

Is assistant chef a stressful job?

Assistant chefs often work in fast-paced kitchen environments that can be physically demanding and require long hours, especially during busy service times. The role involves multitasking, attention to detail, and teamwork, which can contribute to stress levels, but experience and good time management can help manage these pressures.

What does an assistant chef do?

An assistant chef supports the head chef by preparing ingredients, cooking dishes, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. They often handle tasks such as chopping, measuring, and organizing supplies, and may assist with plating and presentation. This role requires good communication skills and knowledge of food safety standards.

What is the lowest position as a chef?

The lowest position in a professional kitchen is typically that of a line cook or prep cook, responsible for basic food preparation and assisting higher-level chefs. Entry-level roles often require basic culinary skills and may involve working under supervision in a fast-paced environment.

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 Montclair, NJ? The most popular types of Chef jobs in Montclair, NJ are:
What cities near Montclair, NJ are hiring for Assistant Chef jobs? Cities near Montclair, NJ with the most Assistant Chef job openings:
Assistant Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Chef job openings in Montclair, NJ as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,148 per year, or $21.2 per hour.
Assistant Chef

Assistant Chef

GODDARD RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY CENTER

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies with a combined annual operating budget of approximately $63 million that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. Goddard Riverside and The Isaacs Center are two of New York City's leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults throughout Manhattan and New York City. Pathways for Youth is an effort to help young adults reach age 24 prepared to be self-sustaining by providing a primary adult support to coach and assist in life planning and navigation over multiple years.
Position Summary: The Assistant Chef prepares food as per a pre-existing menu based on New York State Office for Aging nutritional guidelines. The Assistant Chef is responsible for assisting in the maintenance, sanitation, and cleanliness of the kitchen and related facilities and equipment.
Schedule: 35 hours per week.
Hourly Rate: $20.00 - $22.00
Candidates must have the required qualifications to be considered for the position. The salary offer will be based on the candidate's number of years experience in the exact or comparable position and additional preferred qualifications will be taken into account.
General Function:
  • Assists with food preparation according to a pre-planned menu, and food service.
  • Assists the Head Chef with daily supervision of other kitchen staff members and implementation of tasks and production assignments
  • In the absence of the Head Chef, assumes full responsibility for cooking, serving pre-planned meals, record keeping, and the task supervision of kitchen staff, interns, and volunteers.
  • Assists in the inventory and proper maintenance of food storage areas; ensuring all food items in the storage room are properly dated
  • Assists with deliveries as they arrive, storing them in a timely manner, and ensuring proper rotation of food and disposables, following FIFO practices.
  • Assists in the maintenance, cleanliness, and sanitization of all refrigeration/freezer units (both free-standing and walk-ins), steam tables, shelves/racks, work surfaces, all cooking equipment (including and especially the range and ovens), dishes, utensils, appliances, tables, and storage areas.
  • Reports appliance/equipment failure to the Head Chef promptly and in absence of the Head Chef and Food Service Manager, can schedule repairs.
  • Prepare, cook and supervise portioning and serving of food.
  • Participate in menu planning and develop food purchase orders, submit orders on time.
  • Maintain Daily Food used records and conduct monthly physical food and disposables inventory.
  • Coordinate activities of staff engaged in food preparation, meal service, packaging, and clean up.
  • Responsible for safe handling and ensuring proper temperature control of prepared foods, food storage areas, refrigerators, and freezers.
  • Responsible for proper functioning, cleaning of kitchen equipment, dining areas, and adherence to sanitation standards.
  • Assist in the support of volunteers and interns in the kitchen.
  • Actively participate in all aspects of staff development, including weekly supervision, team meetings, and training during the year
  • Understand that the above description does not cover all aspects of the role and further duties
  • can be required as needed.

Qualifications
  • Possession of Food Protection Certificate as issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
  • Minimum of two years of experience cooking for large groups of 500+ people
  • Experience preparing and cooking hot, frozen, and chilled meals
  • CPR certified and AED/First Aid Certified or be willing to attend both training courses.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
  • Ability to stoop, bend, lift and carry 50+ lbs.
  • Ability to stand for extended periods of time
  • Ability to multi-task and work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
  • Experience or interest in serving older adults in a community center setting.
  • Bilingual, English/Spanish is a plus
  • Ability to work some flexible hours including evenings and weekends if needed
  • Must be able to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
  • Serve-Safe highly desirable
  • Must be able to follow recipes and calculate portions.

Workplace Safety
  • Utilize the always provided personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves; use provided hand sanitizer as needed
  • Wash hands before the start of the work shift and at the end of the work shift
  • Follow established cleaning and sanitization procedures
  • Report immediately; personal flu-like symptoms
  • Report immediately; personal exposure to others who have exhibited flu-like symptoms
Benefits
  • Medical/Dental/Vision Health Coverage
  • Life Insurance/Commuter benefits/Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 403B Thrift Retirement Plan
  • 12 Annual Sick Days
  • 12 Agency Holidays
  • 20 Days or 4 Weeks of Paid Time off and an additional week (5) days after 5 years of employment
  • Total of more than 6 weeks (a month and half) of paid time off
  • Access to mental health and wellness benefits through Headspace Health. Headspace Health partners with over 2,500 companies and health plans to provide access to meditation, mindfulness, coaching, therapy, and psychiatry to their members and employees.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.
Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

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