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Cafeteria Cook Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Noble House Estancia LLC

Cafeteria Cook

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$25/hr

As a Cafeteria Cook, you will get the opportunity to cook and create a relaxing and well-organized dining environment for our Team Members, one where the tables are clean, dirty dishes are promptly ...

AccorHotel

Cafeteria Cook III

San Diego, CA · On-site

$24.08/hr

We invite you to join the world of luxury hospitality at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, as our new Cafeteria Cook lll. Responsibilities To produce all hot and cold food items for service in the restaurant ...

FAIRMONT

Cafeteria Cook III

San Diego, CA

We invite you to join the world of luxury hospitality at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, as our new Cafeteria Cook lll. Responsibilities To produce all hot and cold food items for service in the restaurant ...

AccorHotel

Cafeteria Cook III

San Diego, CA · On-site

$24.08/hr

We invite you to join the world of luxury hospitality at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, as our new Cafeteria Cook lll. Responsibilities To produce all hot and cold food items for service in the restaurant ...

ovisllc93023

Associate Cafeteria - Line Cook

Ojai, CA · On-site

$15.75 - $19/hr

The Cafeteria Cook assists the culinary team in providing Five Diamond standards of service and cooking to the associate cafeteria while practicing OVI policies and procedures. Prepares and cooks ...

ovisllc93023

Associate Cafeteria - Line Cook

Ojai, CA · On-site

$15.75 - $19/hr

The Cafeteria Cook assists the culinary team in providing Five Diamond standards of service and cooking to the associate cafeteria while practicing OVI policies and procedures. Prepares and cooks ...

Rosewood Hotel Group

Cafeteria - Cook II

Montecito, CA · On-site

$16.75 - $20.25/hr

The Cook II is responsible for prep, set up and provide quality service in all areas of hot food production to include, but not limited to hot menu items, hot line specials, displays/ presentations ...

188 Tejon Gaming Authority

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

Replenishes and garnishes food on the cafeteria line as necessary. * Serves food as necessary. * Maintains a neat and sanitary appearance of assigned work area, serving utensils and equipment.

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Cafeteria Cook information

See California salary details

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$15

$20

How much do cafeteria cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for cafeteria cook in California is $15.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Cafeteria Cook vs Line Cook?

AspectCafeteria CookLine Cook
CredentialsFood Handler's Permit, basic culinary skillsFood Handler's Permit, culinary training or experience
Work EnvironmentSchool, hospital, or institutional cafeteriasRestaurant kitchen, fast-paced environment
Employer & IndustryEducational, healthcare, or institutional sectorsHospitality, restaurant industry
Job FocusPreparing large quantities of simple, standardized mealsPreparing specific dishes quickly and efficiently

While both Cafeteria Cooks and Line Cooks prepare food in kitchen settings, Cafeteria Cooks focus on large-scale, standardized meal preparation in institutional environments, whereas Line Cooks work in restaurants preparing individual dishes in a fast-paced setting. The roles require similar certifications but differ in work environment and daily tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cafeteria cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cafeteria Cook, you need expertise in food preparation, kitchen safety, and knowledge of nutrition, usually backed by a high school diploma or equivalent and food handler certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, menu planning software, and inventory management systems is often required. Strong organizational skills, teamwork, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are vital soft skills for this role. These skills ensure food is prepared safely, efficiently, and to a high standard, supporting both customer satisfaction and kitchen operations.

What is a cafeteria cook?

Cafeteria cooks are food service professionals who prepare and cook meals in cafeterias, often found in schools, hospitals, businesses, or other institutions. They typically follow set menus and recipes, cook large quantities of food, and ensure meals are ready for designated serving times. Their responsibilities may also include maintaining kitchen cleanliness, managing inventory, and adhering to food safety standards. Cafeteria cooks usually work as part of a team and may have early morning or daytime shifts. Their work helps ensure that large groups of people receive nutritious and timely meals.

What are some common challenges faced by cafeteria cooks and how can they be managed?

Cafeteria cooks often work in fast-paced environments where they need to prepare large quantities of food within tight timeframes. Managing multiple orders and dietary restrictions, maintaining food safety standards, and coordinating with other kitchen staff can be challenging. Effective time management, strong communication skills, and staying organized are essential for success. Many cafeterias also offer ongoing training to help cooks stay updated on food safety protocols and new menu items.
What are popular job titles related to Cafeteria Cook jobs in CA? For Cafeteria Cook jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Cafeteria Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cafeteria Cook job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $32,430 per year, or $15.6 per hour.

Cafeteria Cook

Estancia La Jolla, A Noble House Hotel

La Jolla, CA

$25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Description

ABOUT US:

From the hacienda-style architecture to the lush gardens and scattered artwork, Estancia La Jolla is a true Southern California escape. This former ranch dates back to the late 1800s, a history the property celebrates and honors. In Estancia's 210 casually elegant rooms and suites, this AAA Four Diamond boutique hotel feels like home.


THE JOB:

As a Cafeteria Cook, you will get the opportunity to cook and create a relaxing and well-organized dining environment for our Team Members, one where the tables are clean, dirty dishes are promptly removed, always supplied with silverware, glasses and dishes. In addition to cooking and taking care of our team members, you will utilize your strong attention to detail and interpersonal skills as you work with the rest of the staff to ensure every work area is well stocked to allow for expedient and efficient operation. If you love working with a team, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.


YOU:

To be successful in this position, we're looking for an amazing people connector who thrives on creating experiences and problem-solving. This role as Cafeteria Attendant requires skills such as patience, empathy, and a desire to provide excellent service for our guests.


OUR CULTURE:

Be part of our award-winning team named TOP Workplace in San Diego 2022-2025 and TOP Workplace USA 2023-2026 by our Team Members. Estancia La Jolla is a part of Noble House Hotels and Resorts offering a collection of luxury hotels and resorts in the Americas. To provide our guests with exceptional service and the most memorable experiences, we look for team members who share our core values. The people who best fit Estancia La Jolla are sharp, hardworking team players. We are looking for candidates with experience in having fun!


THE OFFER:

In return, we offer competitive pay, health insurance benefits, Team Member and Family & Friends hotel and restaurant discounts within the Nobel House Hotel & Resorts family, Matching 401k (After 1 year), On-Demand Pay (Earned wage access before payday!) PTO, Complementary Parking, and Meals.

Requirements

A minimum of 1 year's relevant work experience.

Knowledge and practical experience with basic cooking skills.

Good communication skills.

Personable and customer service oriented.

Ability to stand for long periods of time.

Ability to work on AM, PM, weekend, and holiday shifts as required by operational needs.


The ideal candidate will have:

Experience within a hotel/resort environment


At Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, we take pride in supporting our initiatives towards Diversity, Equity Inclusion, and Accessibility. We have established a hotel committee to bring together a variety of thoughts, perspectives, and expressions - and we would love for you to share yours with the team!


If you enjoy being a part of a team providing an excellent experience for our guests and meeting new people, we invite you to apply!


Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa is an equal opportunity employer M/F/V/D


EEO Statement

Noble House Hotels & Resorts are proud to encourage and support an environment where everyone can be a successful team member (come as they are) as their true authentic self. We are an equal-opportunity workplace and employer that does not discriminate based on race, color, disability, gender/sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. We are committed to building a team (rooted in family) and a workplace where we are all able to be successful based solely on our individual qualifications, experience, abilities, and job performance.


Apply