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Chef Helper Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Gecko Hospitality

Sous Chef

Manhattan Beach, CA · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

We are a collection of eclectic, chef-driven restaurants renowned for our soulful food, engaging ... To seek assistance or opt-out of our SMS messages, you can reply with "HELP" or "STOP" at any time.

Compass Group

Portfolio Project Chef

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Portfolio Project Chef Salary: 135,000-150,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion is Food! At ... Support account-level culinary teams remotely and through scheduled engagement, helping assess ...

Shawarma Guys

Executive Chef

San Diego, CA

$80K/yr

Executive Chef Compensation Management Training Program (First 30 Days) All Executive Chef ... helped build our nationally recognized brand. Unlike a traditional restaurant, our food truck ...

Charlie's

Sous Chef

Saint Helena, CA

$85K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

... and helping us build a restaurant that we hope will be a part of the St. Helena community for generations to come. About Chef Elliot and Charlie's: Elliot Bell, a 10-year veteran of Thomas Keller ...

hed11

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA

$70K/yr

The Role As Sous Chef at hed 11, you'll work closely with our Corporate Chef to lead daily kitchen operations, uphold our Michelin-level standards, and help train and develop our culinary team. This ...

Cotogna

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $95K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are seeking an experienced, passionate Sous Chef to help lead our culinary team at Cotogna and uphold the standards of excellence that define our restaurants. Position Summary The Sous Chef is a ...

Beer Baron Whiskey Bar & Kitchen

Head Chef

Livermore, CA · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

HEAD CHEF We are looking for an experienced and motivated Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and help maintain high standards in our back-of-house operations. Responsibilities: * Oversee daily ...

La Dolce Vita Beverly Hills

Sous Chef

Beverly Hills, CA

$70K - $75K/yr

Primary duties of the Sous Chef will include but are not limited to: * Prepare menu items and ... Monitor stock levels for ingredients and help with product ordering. * Check quality of material ...

Far Niente Winery

Commis Chef

Napa, CA

$25 - $28/hr

Executive Chef Join Our Culinary Team Do you have a passion for food and a desire to learn from ... Help create memorable food and wine pairings for our guests. * Maintain an exceptionally clean ...

Moody's Bistro & Beats

Sous Chef

Truckee, CA · On-site

$76K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

Responsibilities Help in the preparation and design of all food menu Produce high quality plates ... Proven experience as a Sous Chef Understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment ...

Far Niente Winery

Commis Chef

Napa, CA

Executive Chef Join Our Culinary Team Do you have a passion for food and a desire to learn from ... • Help create memorable food and wine pairings for our guests. • Maintain an exceptionally ...

Boujis Hospitality

Executive Chef

West Hollywood, CA · On-site

$80K - $111K/yr

The Chef de Cuisine will be responsible for designing the menu, hiring and training kitchen staff, collaborating with restaurant management, optimizing staff productivity, and stepping in to help ...

FIRST LIGHT RESORTS LLC

Executive Chef

Groveland, CA · On-site

$85K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We're looking for an Executive Chef who is excited about providing memorable cuisine and hospitality experiences and helping support a fun and rewarding work environment. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE

Quince

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA

$58K - $79K/yr

The Sous Chef serves as a mentor, teacher, and culture carrier, helping translate the culinary vision into flawless daily execution while fostering a respectful, collaborative, and high-performing ...

Quince

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA

$95K/yr

The Sous Chef serves as a mentor, teacher, and culture carrier, helping translate the culinary vision into flawless daily execution while fostering a respectful, collaborative, and high-performing ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsChef Helper JobsChef Helper Jobs in California

Chef Helper information

See California salary details

$7

$16

$30

How much do chef helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef helper in California is $16.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.95 and $17.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily tasks and challenges of a chef helper?

As a Chef Helper, your daily tasks typically include assisting with food preparation, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen, organizing ingredients, and supporting chefs with basic cooking tasks. One common challenge is working efficiently in a fast-paced environment, especially during busy meal times. You'll also need to adapt quickly to changing priorities and follow strict food safety standards. Collaborating closely with chefs and other kitchen staff is essential to ensure smooth operations and timely meal preparation.

How to become a chef helper?

To become a chef helper, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and some experience in food preparation or kitchen work. On-the-job training is common, and strong organizational skills, ability to follow instructions, and teamwork are important. Some positions may require basic food safety certifications or knowledge of kitchen equipment.

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

To thrive as a Chef Helper, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of kitchen hygiene, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen appliances, food safety standards, and sometimes certifications like a Food Handler's Permit are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure are important soft skills in this role. These skills ensure kitchen operations run smoothly, food quality is maintained, and safety standards are upheld.

What is the difference between Chef Helper vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectChef HelperKitchen Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; basic culinary training often preferredHigh school diploma; may require food safety certification
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, hotelsCommercial kitchens, catering services, restaurants
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food service industriesUsed interchangeably with Chef Helper in many settings
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with food prep, cleaning, basic cooking tasksSupporting kitchen staff, prep work, cleaning

Both Chef Helper and Kitchen Assistant roles involve supporting kitchen operations with food prep and cleaning. While their responsibilities are similar, 'Chef Helper' is often used in more formal culinary settings, whereas 'Kitchen Assistant' may be more common in casual or institutional environments. Both positions typically require basic food safety knowledge and a high school diploma.

What does a chef helper do?

A chef helper assists in food preparation, such as chopping, measuring, and organizing ingredients, and supports the chef or kitchen staff with various tasks. They often work in fast-paced environments, follow safety and hygiene standards, and may need basic cooking skills or certifications. Their duties help ensure smooth kitchen operations and timely meal service.

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

The most popular types of Chef jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Chef Helper jobs?

Cities in California with the most Chef Helper job openings:

Chef Helper jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef Helper job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,681 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Sous Chef

Gecko Hospitality

Manhattan Beach, CA • On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

We are a collection of eclectic, chef-driven restaurants renowned for our soulful food, engaging service, handcrafted cocktails, and curated boutique wine selections. With a passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences, we are continuously seeking talented, highly passionate, experienced, and motivated Chefs to join our close-knit family.

Job Description:
As a Sous Chef with our restaurant group, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining and elevating our culinary standards. We are seeking a passionate industry leader and charismatic role model who thrives in a dynamically evolving environment. The successful candidate must demonstrate a high level of culinary mastery, an unwavering commitment to Back of House product guardianship, exceptional communication and organizational skills, effective delegation, financial acumen, and a proven track record of mentoring crew and peers.

Responsibilities:
  • Collaborate closely with the Executive Chef to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the kitchen and overall operations.
  • Provide visionary leadership to the culinary team, instilling a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and a commitment to from-scratch cooking and the finest ingredients.
  • Coach and mentor Sous Chefs and other team members, setting high-detail coaching standards and demanding excellence from the entire kitchen staff.
  • Oversee and actively participate in menu development and engineering to deliver innovative and exceptional dining experiences to our guests.
  • Identify and address product cost challenges, ensuring the maintenance of high-quality standards while optimizing kitchen efficiency.
  • Engage actively in Guest interactions, demonstrating a genuine passion for culinary artistry and creating unforgettable dining experiences.
  • Uphold and exceed the exacting expectations of a Michelin Starred Chef, continuously honing and refining your culinary craft.

Requirements:
  • Minimum 1 year of experience in a Senior Sous Chef role within a chef-driven/fine dining restaurant environment.
  • Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring a team of Sous Chefs, with a relentless commitment to maintaining kitchen quality and standards.
  • Proficient in troubleshooting and managing product cost challenges while creating innovative and appealing menus.
  • Exceptional attention to detail, humility, respect, and integrity in an environment of exceptionally high standards.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills, capable of handling multiple tasks and delegating effectively.
  • Proven ability to drive financial results while maintaining uncompromising culinary excellence.
  • Passion for mentoring and cultivating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the kitchen team.

If you are an executive-level Sous Chef with a strong desire to be a mentor and leader in the culinary world, fostering a culture of creativity and precision, we invite you to join our team. We are committed to guiding and supporting your professional growth, and in return, we expect an unyielding dedication to culinary artistry and a relentless pursuit of excellence. If you share our vision and strive to exceed expectations at every turn, we would love to hear from you.
Target Base Salary: $75,000 - $80,000 - Plus Benefits and Growth !
As part of our standard recruiting process, we may contact you via SMS text message or email regarding potential job opportunities that align with your profile. By responding to this message and providing us access to your email address and phone number, you agree to these communications. Please note that standard message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile phone service plan. To seek assistance or opt-out of our SMS messages, you can reply with "HELP" or "STOP" at any time. Your consent to communicate with you via SMS text message moving forward is greatly appreciated and will help us keep you informed about exciting career prospects in the future. Thank you for considering this important aspect of our recruitment process.