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Chef Hourly Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Sous Chef

Maryville, TN · On-site

$43K - $58K/yr

Assists the Executive Chef in all phases of planning, ordering, inventory, and food preparation. Assumes full responsibility of all culinary operations in the absence of the Executive Chef. ESSENTIAL ...

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Assists the Executive Chef in all phases of planning, ordering, inventory, and food preparation. Assumes full responsibility of all culinary operations in the absence of the Executive Chef. ESSENTIAL ...

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Sous Chefs are responsible for supporting the Head Chef in food preparation, management of additional staff, maintaining a clean kitchen/dining room, and ensuring best practices with safety and ...

We are hiring immediately for full time SOUS CHEF positions. * Address : 433 Maryville College ... Supervises hourly food service associates. Includes interviewing, scheduling, payroll, training ...

We are hiring immediately for full time SOUS CHEF positions. * Address : 433 Maryville College ... Supervises hourly food service associates. Includes interviewing, scheduling, payroll, training ...

We are hiring immediately for full time SOUS CHEF positions. * Address : 433 Maryville College ... Supervises hourly food service associates. Includes interviewing, scheduling, payroll, training ...

Sous Chef

Maryville, TN · On-site

$45K - $61K/yr

Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Sous Chef to join our team. The ideal candidate is experienced, detail oriented, and a strong leader. Responsibilities: * Create ...

SOUS CHEF/COOK - BANQUET HALL

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$41K - $55K/yr

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Sous Chef/Cook to join our banquet hall culinary team. The ideal candidate will assist in planning, preparing, and executing high-volume banquet events ...

SOUS CHEF/COOK - BANQUET HALL

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$41K - $55K/yr

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Sous Chef/Cook to join our banquet hall culinary team. The ideal candidate will assist in planning, preparing, and executing high-volume banquet events ...

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Sous Chef/Cook to join our banquet hall culinary team. The ideal candidate will assist in planning, preparing, and executing high-volume banquet events ...

Sous Chef - Blackberry Mountain

Walland, TN · On-site

$48K - $64K/yr

Millers Cove RdWalland, TN 37886 The Sous Chef supports daily kitchen operations by assisting in leadership, execution, and quality control across all stations. This role helps oversee food ...

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$50K/yr

Sous Chef Job Reference Number: 41444 Employment Type: Full-Time , Onsite Segment: Dining & Events Brand: Lancer-Hospitality Location: Zoo Knoxville The Role at a glance: We are looking to add a ...

Sous Chef Job Reference Number: 41273 Employment Type: Full-Time , Onsite Segment: Dining & Events Brand: Lancer-Hospitality Location: Knoxville , Tennessee (US-TN) [[location_obj]] The Role at a ...

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$45K - $55K/yr

Sous Chef Job Reference Number: 41273 Employment Type: Full-Time , Onsite Segment: Dining & Events Brand: Lancer-Hospitality Location: Knoxville , Tennessee (US-TN) [[location_obj]] The Role at a ...

Sous Chef

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$50K/yr

Sous Chef Job Reference Number: 41444 Employment Type: Full-Time , Onsite Segment: Dining & Events Brand: Lancer-Hospitality Location: Zoo Knoxville The Role at a glance: We are looking to add a ...

Showing results 21-40

Chef Hourly information

See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$9

$23

$42

How much do chef hourly jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef hourly in Oak Ridge, TN is $23.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $29.66 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 Oak Ridge, TN?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:

What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Chef Hourly jobs?

Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Chef Hourly job openings:

$43K - $58K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Covenant Living rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

We Are Inspired to Serve. Join us!
Oversee daily culinary operations and supervise production of daily specials while delegating tasks, spot-checking product for quality, and assisting on the line during peak service times. Assists the Executive Chef in all phases of planning, ordering, inventory, and food preparation. Assumes full responsibility of all culinary operations in the absence of the Executive Chef.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Food Production, Menu Development, and Delivery:
  • Assist with menu development and implementation including creating daily and weekly specials, updating always available menu when appropriate, creating special event menus, such as for catering menus and holiday parties.
  • Ensures that high quality food items are creatively prepared and presented.
  • Ensures efficient, cost-effective operation and profitability of food production.
  • Consistently maintains and checks standards for quality, cost, eye appeal and flavor.
  • Monitor holding and storage operations, stocking and food rotation, and guarantee food service sanitation standards are met.
  • Supports the management of cost controls and control expenditures for the kitchen as well as procurement of kitchen equipment and supplies with guidance from Executive Chef.
  • Resourcefully solve any issues that arise and seize control of any problematic situation.
  • Prepares and serves foods for therapeutic diets according to planned menus.
  • Assists in serving meals, following member's diet and food preferences using proper portion sizes.
  • Participates actively in planning/preparing special occasions and theme meal days.
  • Assists in the preparation, portioning, garnishing, presentation, and safe storage of food.
  • Estimates food consumption to purchase the appropriate amount of ingredients for preparation and provides recipe standards for each meal.

Mentoring Staff:
  • Acts as liaison between Executive chef and all back of house employees including sous chefs, lead cooks, line cooks, dishwashers, and dietary aides.
  • Conduct pre and post shift walkthroughs with staff to identify compliance with station management, cleanliness and organization, proper inventory levels.
  • Assist with enforcement of all food safety policies and procedures.

Kitchen Compliance and Sanitation:
  • Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and policies and procedures (e.g., HACCP, quality assurance, safety, operations, ServSafe, personnel).
  • Establishes a safe work environment for employees by providing safety-related training and equipment maintenance and by ensuring compliance with safety and loss prevention programs and with standards.
  • Understands, complies, and promotes all policies regarding residents' rights.
  • Follows procedures regarding cleaners or hazardous materials or objects, and fire safety. Promptly reports any hazardous conditions, equipment, accidents, and incidents.
  • Follows the most current sanitation and food safety procedures including personal hygiene, monitoring and documentation of temperatures, and food storage including labeling and dating.
  • Ensures proper storage of foods and supplies and adherence to daily, weekly, and monthly scheduled cleaning and sanitation tasks.
  • Ensures that kitchen, equipment, and storage facilities are sanitary, neat, and organized.
  • Attends in-services as required by corporate, state, and federal mandates.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
Required Degree: High school diploma
Preferred Degree: Culinary Arts Degree
Certificate(s):
  • Required to have current and approved sanitation certification or obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
  • Safe Food Handling certification.

Experience:
  • Minimum of three years lead experience as a Sous Chef or equivalent role at a high-volume restaurant.
  • 5+ years' experience managing high volume and fast paced commercial kitchens.
  • 3 + years' experience cooking experience in a fine dining environment and experience in a culinary leadership role preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:
  • Proficiency in a wide variety of kitchen stations, positions, cooking methods, ingredients, equipment, and procedures.
  • Advanced knife skills.
  • Inventory ordering and waste management skills.
  • Proficient in recipe production.
  • Proficient in multiple stations (Sauté, grill, salad, fry)
  • Ability to not only think on feet but also create, produce, and deliver excellent products on the fly.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of current culinary/market trends and creative food presentation.
  • Must be highly organized and proficient in time management.
  • Proficiency with computers, online purchasing, and inventory management, creating spreadsheets, checklists for cleaning, par level and food inventory.
  • Excellent record of kitchen and staff management / lead responsibilities.
  • Must have skill calculating figures and amounts and performing mathematical functions to meet business needs.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with managers, kitchen and dining room staff and guests.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • May be required to lift or carry equipment or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Standing for extended periods of time, sitting, twisting, bending, squatting, kneeling, or crouching while assisting others.
  • Ability to work in a kitchen environment.
  • Attention to detail and manual dexterity.
  • Withstand exposure to temperature and humidity changes as in entering refrigerated storage area and working at ovens, ranges, dish-washing machines, and steam tables.
  • May be exposed to unpleasant conditions and/or at risk of exposure to accident, infection, and/or blood-borne pathogens.

#Dining
Compensation Pay Range:
$22.40 - $30.44 per hour
Reasonable Pay Estimate
A reasonable estimate of the pay range for this position is $22.40 - $30.44 per hour. There are numerous factors taken into consideration in determining the actual offered rate of pay, including but not limited to: job-related qualifications, experience, skills, education, geographic location, and consideration of internal and external equity.
For full time employees, we offer a generous benefits package that includes:
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Employer paid group term life and disability
  • Paid Time Off (PTO) & six paid holidays
  • 403(b) with a 3% employer match
  • Fitness center use at most facilities.
  • Various voluntary benefits:
    • Life, AD&D
    • Tuition assistance and scholarships
    • Employee assistance program
    • Legal services, home/auto insurance, discount purchasing program
    • Pet Insurance

For more information about Covenant Living and CovenantCare at Home, please visit www.covliving.org or www.covenantcareathome.org.
Covenant Living and CovenantCare Home Health and Hospice are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by local laws, regulations, or ordinances.

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