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Associate Chef Jobs in Buffalo, NY (NOW HIRING)

Job title Chef Manager Reports to General Manager, Operations Department Operations FLSA Status ... Education and Training Associate's degree or higher in food service or related field. Desired ...

Lead Chef

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Lead Chef Buffalo, NY $19.00-$20.00 per hour Monday through Wednesday: 10AM-6PM, Friday & Saturday ... Associate degree preferred. * Minimum of 5 years culinary experience. * Minimum of 3 years ...

Description Lead Chef Buffalo, NY $19.00-$20.00 per hour Monday through Wednesday: 10AM-6PM, Friday ... Associate degree preferred. * Minimum of 5 years culinary experience. * Minimum of 3 years ...

Lead Chef

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Description: Lead Chef Buffalo, NY $19.00-$20.00 per hour Monday through Wednesday: 10AM-6PM ... Associate degree preferred. * Minimum of 5 years culinary experience. * Minimum of 3 years ...

Facilities Associate

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Metro Self-Storage is hiring a hands-on Facilities Associate to help keep our property running ... Chef on staff offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner-to-go * On-site fitness equipment and massage ...

Facilities Associate

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Metro Self-Storage is hiring a hands-on Facilities Associate to help keep our property running ... Chef on staff offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner-to-go * On-site fitness equipment and massage ...

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Associate Chef information

See Buffalo, NY salary details

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How much do associate chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate chef in Buffalo, NY is $15.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.03 and $17.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate chef?

Associate Chefs are culinary professionals who assist head chefs or executive chefs in preparing meals, managing kitchen staff, and ensuring food quality and safety standards are met. They often handle tasks such as ingredient preparation, cooking, plating dishes, and supervising junior kitchen staff. Associate Chefs play a key role in maintaining efficient kitchen operations and may also help with menu planning and inventory management. This role is ideal for those looking to advance their culinary careers and gain valuable hands-on experience.

What are the primary ways associate chefs collaborate with other kitchen staff during service?

As an Associate Chef, you’ll work closely with the Executive and Sous Chefs to ensure that dishes are prepared efficiently and to the restaurant’s standards. You’ll often coordinate with line cooks, prep staff, and servers to manage the flow of orders, address any issues with ingredients or timing, and maintain a smooth service. Strong communication skills and teamwork are essential, as you may need to step in to help with plating, quality control, or training new kitchen team members. This collaborative environment is fast-paced but rewarding, offering opportunities to learn from more experienced chefs and contribute to a cohesive team.

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

To thrive as an Associate Chef, you need a solid background in culinary techniques, food safety, and kitchen operations, often gained through a culinary degree or relevant kitchen experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and certifications such as ServSafe are typically required. Strong teamwork, multitasking, and communication skills help you excel in high-pressure environments and support the head chef effectively. These competencies ensure consistent food quality, smooth kitchen workflow, and a positive dining experience for guests.

What is the difference between Associate Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectAssociate ChefLine Cook
Credentials Culinary degree or equivalent experience Often no formal degree, on-the-job training
Work Environment Kitchen, often with supervisory duties Kitchen, focused on specific station
Employer Usage Restaurants, hotels, catering services Restaurants, food service establishments
Common Search Intent Roles with some responsibility, leadership Entry-level, station-specific tasks

The main difference between an Associate Chef and a Line Cook is that an Associate Chef typically has more culinary training and may take on supervisory or assistant managerial roles, whereas a Line Cook focuses on preparing dishes at a specific station with less responsibility. Both roles are essential in professional kitchens, but the Associate Chef often has broader responsibilities and a higher level of experience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Buffalo, NY?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Buffalo, NY are:

What cities near Buffalo, NY are hiring for Associate Chef jobs?

Cities near Buffalo, NY with the most Associate Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Chef job openings in Buffalo, NY as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $31,779 per year, or $15.3 per hour.

Assistant Executive Chef

State University of New York

Buffalo, NY • On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


State University of New York rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

236th of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job title

Assistant Executive Chef

Reports to

Executive Chef

Department

Operations

FLSA Status

Full-Time, Exempt Professional


Position Summary


The Assistant Executive Chef reports to the Executive Chef and works with a culinary team to assist in oversight of the culinary operations within our dining operations. They manage and develop the team of culinary professionals in the operations and are responsible for oversight of all culinary functions in the organization including menu development in the operations assigned. Operations assigned may include residential/retail dining centers, as well as the Three Pillars Catering Department. They work closely and manage the team of culinarians on menu development, bids, contracts, and sourcing of products.

Expected Hours of Work

This is a Full-Time position in which days and hours of work vary. Shifts include weekends, evenings, and night hours. The position requires a minimum of 47.5 hours per week, will include longer shifts and more hours during peak busy periods throughout the course of the year, and scheduled shifts can vary in length. Weekends and evenings are required.

Essential Functions

Develops and directs culinary staff in contract dining in the following areas: understanding and utilization of recipes, food handling procedures, kitchen safety and sanitation, cooking methods, product taste and presentation, use of equipment, leftover utilization and proper record keeping.

Hands on training and development of culinary employees.

Works with Cook I's, chef managers, unit assistant managers to verify and update recipes and production records.

Maintains the computerized recipe database.

Maintains portion control and quality standards in both contract dining and retail operations

Assesses Back of House (BOH) contract dining through observation and develops corrective action plans.

Assists with test kitchen operations including preparation and cutting of new products and developing recipes, cycle menus and theme dinners.

Assists in development of, and compliance with a comprehensive HACCP and overall CDS quality assurance program.

Assists with on-going dining service customer surveys and focus group sessions.

Trains, supervises and evaluates culinary staff in contract dining.

Supervises Chef Managers of Contract Dining Operations.

Help to supervise Banquet Chef and Catering Kitchen manager while overseeing the catering operation.

Provides culinary supervision and support for major campus events and the catering department as directed by the Executive Chef.

Education and Training

Associate's Degree and formal culinary training required.

Desired Qualifications

Minimum of 2 years experience as chef or other key position in high volume food production operation (university, commissary, hotel, club, or other large institution).

Must be familiar with and able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of HACCP principles and analytical cost control methods.

Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Experience with computer based menu management system preferred.

Thorough understanding of proper staff and equipment utilization.

Thorough knowledge of food service principles and practices required.

Creativity, effective communication and organizational skills.

Ability to meet frequent deadlines.

Ability to multi task effectively.

Be able to work minimum of 50 hours per week to include various day, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Work Environment

The work environment can be loud and busy. There is exposure to kitchen hazards such as hot surfaces and liquids, sharp knives, and slippery falls

The position may operate in a kitchen environment where the employee is frequently exposed to heat, steam, fire, and noise

Exposure to extreme temperatures in coolers and freezers

Work may take place in a refrigerated and temperature controlled environment

Physical and Mental Demands

The position is very active and the employee must be able to stand and walk for a minimum of 8 hours.

The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl.

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

The employee must have the ability to use hands and fingers, manipulate fingers; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must frequently lift, move, push and pull items weighing 25 lbs and occasionally lift and/or move items like cres carts (on wheels) weighing up to 50 lbs or more.

The position requires manual dexterity; auditory and visual skills; and the ability to follow written and oral instructions and procedures.

Valid driver's license and clean driving record required.

Ability to demonstrate safe driving practices.

Licensure/Certification

American Culinary Federation - Certified Executive Chef (ACF - CEC) completed or willingness to start program and work towards completion required.

ServSafe Certification

Travel

Travel between UB campuses may be required. May need to attend conferences and/or special events

Employee Name:

Employee Signature:

Date:

Campus Dining and Shops is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, gender, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, familial status, veteran status, military status, domestic violence victim status, or criminal conviction status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the University community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely based upon a protected characteristic. Campus Dining and Shops policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.


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