ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Chef Hourly Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Thomas Management LLC

Sous Chef - Hourly

Clovis, CA

$35/hr

Pay range: $35.00/hr What you will do The Sous Chef is an exciting opportunity to enhance and increase your culinary skills and experience. This role provides direction and guidance for the ...

Thomas Cuisine

Sous Chef - Hourly

Clovis, CA · On-site

$35/hr

Pay range: $35.00/hr What you will do The Sous Chef is an exciting opportunity to enhance and increase your culinary skills and experience. This role provides direction and guidance for the ...

RMD Group, LLC

Junior Sous Chef

San Diego, CA · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Junior Sous Chef Hourly | Full-Time | $23.00-$25.00/hr + Tips We're seeking a motivated, hands-on Junior Sous Chef to support culinary operations at Rustic Root. This role is ideal for an experienced ...

Bottega Louie

Pastry Chef Hourly

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$38 - $45/hr

ABOUT BOTTEGA LOUIE Founded in Los Angeles in 2007, Bottega Louie develops premier landmark Restaurants, Patisseries & Cafés. Our objective is to deeply connect with the communities we serve by ...

ASM Global

Prep Cook

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$25.75/hr

Executive Chef / Sous Chef Hourly Rate : $25.75 per hour Location : Long Beach, CA Job Type : Part-Time Legends Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an excellent ...

ASM Global

Prep Cook

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$25.75/hr

Executive Chef / Sous Chef Hourly Rate : $25.75 per hour Location : Long Beach, CA Job Type : Part-Time Legends Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an excellent ...

Shawarma Guys

Executive Chef

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K/yr

During the training period, candidates will be employed as an Hourly Kitchen Manager and will ... Executive Chef * $80,000 Annual Salary * Eligibility for the Executive Chef Performance Bonus ...

Shawarma Guys

Executive Chef

San Diego, CA

$80K/yr

During the training period, candidates will be employed as an Hourly Kitchen Manager and will ... Executive Chef * $80,000 Annual Salary * Eligibility for the Executive Chef Performance Bonus ...

Vespertine

Chef Assistant

Culver City, CA

Vespertine is seeking a dedicated chef assistant to the Research and Development chef. This ... This is a full time, hourly position, with shifts ranging from morning to evening, or evening to ...

Vespertine

Chef Assistant

Culver City, CA

$18.47/hr

Vespertine is seeking a dedicated chef assistant to the Research and Development chef. This ... This is a full time, hourly position, with shifts ranging from morning to evening, or evening to ...

Sushi Note

Sushi Chef

Los Angeles, CA

$75K/yr

Our chefs working the sushi bar line create thoughtful omakase course for our guests nightly. This ... Hourly ($20.00) plus tips Estimated Weekly Tips: $800.00 Benefits & Perks: 401k, Dining Discounts ...

Sushi Note

Sushi Chef

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$20/hr

Our chefs working the sushi bar line create thoughtful omakase course for our guests nightly. This ... Hourly ($20.00) plus tips Estimated Weekly Tips: $800.00 Benefits & Perks: 401k, Dining Discounts ...

the Chef Agency

Executive Chef

Palm Springs, CA

$125K - $135K/yr

Executive Chef Location: Palm Springs/Palm Desert area Salary: $125,000 - $135,000 Base Salary + Bonus Benefits: MDV, PTO, 401(k), relocation assistance Property Description: Upscale resort ...

Kiddie Academy

Preschool Chef

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Compensation & Benefits The Preschool Chef is an hourly Education position with a salary of $16 to $18 per hour, depending on education, experience, and qualifications. Additional benefits include ...

Cavallo Point

Banquet Sous Chef

Sausalito, CA · On-site

Work in conjunction with the Banquet Chef and Banquet Captains to arrange for all clean china ... Supervise & maintain hourly employee timesheets on a daily basis * Assist in disciplinary actions ...

Kiddie Academy

Preschool Chef

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

Compensation & Benefits The Preschool Chef is an hourly Education position with a salary of $16 to $18 per hour, depending on education, experience, and qualifications. Additional benefits include ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsChef Hourly JobsChef Hourly Jobs in California

Chef Hourly information

See California salary details

$9

$24

$44

How much do chef hourly jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef hourly in California is $24.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $30.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chef hourly?

Chef Hourly jobs refer to culinary positions where chefs are paid by the hour, rather than receiving a fixed annual salary. Hourly chefs typically work in restaurants, catering services, hotels, or institutional kitchens and are responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting food according to menu specifications. These roles may include tasks such as maintaining kitchen cleanliness, supervising junior staff, and ensuring food safety standards are met. Compensation and hours can vary based on the employer, location, and level of experience. Chef Hourly positions are ideal for those who seek flexible work hours or are starting their culinary careers.

What are the typical responsibilities and team interactions for a chef hourly position?

As a Chef Hourly, your daily responsibilities generally include preparing and cooking menu items according to standardized recipes, maintaining kitchen cleanliness, and ensuring food safety guidelines are followed. You will work closely with other kitchen staff such as line cooks, prep cooks, and dishwashers, as well as communicate regularly with front-of-house staff to coordinate timely food service. The role often requires adaptability during busy periods and a strong sense of teamwork to keep operations running smoothly. Effective communication and attention to detail are key to success in this fast-paced environment.

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

To thrive as a Chef Hourly, you need foundational culinary skills, experience in food preparation, and often a food handler's certification or culinary degree. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory systems, and point-of-sale software is typically required. Strong teamwork, time management, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for excelling in a fast-paced kitchen environment. These abilities ensure efficient kitchen operations, consistent food quality, and a positive dining experience for guests.

What is the difference between Chef Hourly vs Line Cook?

AspectChef HourlyLine Cook
CredentialsCulinary degree or equivalent experienceHigh school diploma or culinary training
Work EnvironmentVaries from fine dining to casual restaurants, often with more responsibilitiesKitchen stations in restaurants, focusing on specific prep or cooking tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across all restaurant types, often with supervisory dutiesCommon in restaurants, hotels, and catering services
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles with more responsibility or higher payPeople seeking entry-level kitchen positions

While both roles work in restaurant kitchens, a Chef Hourly typically has more experience, responsibilities, and often supervises others, whereas a Line Cook focuses on specific cooking tasks. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right position based on their skills and career goals.

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 Hourly jobs?

Cities in California with the most Chef Hourly job openings:

Chef Hourly jobs near you

Sous Chef - Hourly

Thomas Management LLC

Clovis, CA

$35/hr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Who we are

Thomas Cuisine is an award-winning, privately held contract food service company. We advocate the healing power of whole foods and believe in preparing scratch-made cuisine fresh each day. Every Thomas Cuisine team member is an ambassador, carrying out our mission, reflecting our values, and building relationships while "doing the right thing".

What’s in it for you

As part of our team, the ideal candidate will gain access to supportive and smart partners, first-class learning and engagement technologies, exceptional employee wellness and medical benefits, innovative recruiting strategies and resources, and much more!

Pay range: $35.00/hr

What you will do

The Sous Chef is an exciting opportunity to enhance and increase your culinary skills and experience. This role provides direction and guidance for the production of food including implementation of systematic production methods, standardized recipes, portion control, menu development, and purchasing requirements.

This team member…

  • Will help ensure client and customer service satisfaction with food production.
  • Ability to communicate on various levels including management, client, customer, and associate levels.
  • Follow directions from the Executive Chef or Food Service Director.
  • Maintain strict following of recipes for all food production & products.
  • Counts accurate inventory of all items in all food storage areas; Maintains FIFO of freight in assigned areas.
  • Produces menu items by timeline requirements.
  • Maintains all HACCP standard operating procedures.
  • Ensures a clean & sanitary workstation/area by practicing the clean-as-you-go method.
  • Maintain all prepared items and ensure they are labeled with the following information: item inside the container, date item is prepped, use-by date, and initials of the person who prepped the item.
  • Performs all cooking methods and preparation methods on proteins, vegetables, starches & other ingredients according to the recipe within the prescribed time frame to complete all service times for the café.

What you will need

  • Two (2) years prior restaurant experience preferred.
  • Two (2) years prior hospital experience a plus!
  • Professional kitchen environment experience.
  • Scratch base cooking preferred.
  • Culinary Arts degree a plus.
  • Proficient computer skills including various computer programs, Microsoft Office programs, e-mail, and the internet.
  • ServSafe® Certified.
  • Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check (State and Federal) and drug screen.

Who you are

People who do well on our team are service-minded and have a helpful, humble, and hungry nature. The ideal candidate has a can-do attitude, a spirit of curiosity, a bravery to try new things, a tendency to assume best intentions, and a hunger to learn and grow. We actively seek out team members who care deeply about the mission, passionately search for the answers to their questions, humbly lean on partners for help, tirelessly do what it takes, and reflect on their days with gratitude. If that’s you, PLEASE come say “Hi”; we’ve been waiting for you!

Thomas Cuisine is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class. We believe in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and our mission is to create an inclusive work environment where all employees’ differences are celebrated, their thoughts matter, and everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves to work.

REAL Food | Genuine Service | Enduring Relationships

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.