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Chef Owner Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Pastry Cook

Campbell, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $24.50/hr

Chef Owner Jeffrey Stout is a former Michelin Starred chef who also operates sister restaurant, Orchard City Kitchen, a Bib Gourmand recipient for nine years running. We offer both a la carte options ...

Lead Pastry Cook

Campbell, CA · On-site

$22 - $30/hr

Chef Owner Jeffrey Stout is a former Michelin Starred chef who also operates sister restaurant, Orchard City Kitchen, a Bib Gourmand recipient for nine years running. We offer both a la carte options ...

Chef Owner(s) | Chef de Cuisine Compensation: Hourly + Tips + Service Charge About Us Wolfsbane is a premier fine dining restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco, dedicated to delivering an ...

Pastry Commis

Healdsburg, CA · On-site

$16.50/hr

The Pastry Commis I will be responsible for following direction from the Pastry Chef, Pastry Sous Chefs, Chef de Cuisine, and Executive Chef/Owner in their daily production tasks and adapt to daily ...

Line Cook

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$18.50 - $23.25/hr

Chef Owner(s) | Chef de Cuisine Compensation: Hourly + Tips + Service Charge About Us Wolfsbane is a premier fine dining restaurant located in the heart of San Francisco, dedicated to delivering an ...

Led by Chef/Owner Neal Fraser and Chef Jason Bowlin, Redbird is a full-service restaurant located in the historic former rectory of Vibiana, the original cathedral of Los Angeles. Alongside the ...

Led by Chef/Owner Neal Fraser and Chef Jason Bowlin, Redbird is a full-service restaurant located in the historic former rectory of Vibiana, the original cathedral of Los Angeles. In addition to the ...

Frances is a James Beard Award nominated restaurant in San Francisco's Castro District, helmed by award-winning Chef Owner Melissa Perello. Frances' elegantly understated decor reflects the ...

Chef

Woodland Hills, CA · On-site

$27 - $33/hr

... owners of the company (ex. no onions or garlic may be used in any food items including but not ... Prior chef experience; * Ability to perform repetitive tasks throughout the workday and to move ...

Showing results 21-40

Chef Owner information

See California salary details

$31.6K

$78.3K

$112.5K

How much do chef owner jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for chef owner in California is $78,270.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,600.00 and $89,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chef owner?

A Chef Owner is a professional who both owns and operates a restaurant or food establishment, taking on the dual role of head chef and business owner. This means they are responsible for designing menus, overseeing kitchen operations, and ensuring food quality, while also managing business aspects such as finances, marketing, and staffing. Chef Owners often bring their unique culinary vision to their establishments, shaping the restaurant’s identity. They must balance creative culinary work with the demands of running a successful business. This role requires strong leadership, business acumen, and a passion for food.

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

To thrive as a Chef Owner, you need expert culinary skills, business acumen, and experience in restaurant management, often supported by formal culinary training or hospitality degrees. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and relevant health and safety certifications is essential. Leadership, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills help foster a positive team culture and deliver exceptional guest experiences. These competencies are crucial to ensure both the operational success and culinary excellence of your establishment.

What are some key challenges a chef owner may face when balancing kitchen duties with business management responsibilities?

As a Chef Owner, you'll need to juggle both culinary excellence and business operations, which can be demanding. Common challenges include managing the kitchen staff while also handling finances, marketing, and customer relations. Time management is crucial, as you’ll often need to shift quickly between cooking, supervising service, and making strategic business decisions. Success depends on building a reliable team, delegating effectively, and continuously adapting to industry trends while maintaining high food and service standards.

What is the difference between Chef Owner vs Chef?

AspectChef OwnerChef
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degrees often preferredCooking certifications, culinary degrees often preferred
Work EnvironmentOwns and manages a restaurant, involved in business operationsWorks in kitchens, preparing food, often under a head chef or executive chef
Industry UsageCommon in restaurant ownership and managementCommon in restaurant kitchens, culinary establishments

The main difference between a Chef Owner and a Chef is that the Chef Owner owns and manages the restaurant, handling both culinary and business responsibilities. In contrast, a Chef typically works in the kitchen, focusing on food preparation and culinary skills without ownership duties.

Infographic showing various Chef Owner job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,270 per year, or $37.6 per hour.

Lead Pastry Cook

BE.STEAK.A

Campbell, CA • On-site

$20.25 - $24.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Be.Steak.A is an upscale Steakhouse with Italian influence. We are a Michelin recognized restaurant. Open three years, we pride ourselves on quality of ingrediant to the finished product. Chef Andrew Thai runs a tight kitchen. Chef Owner Jeffrey Stout is a former Michelin Starred chef who also operates sister restaurant, Orchard City Kitchen, a Bib Gourmand recipient for nine years running. 
We offer both a la carte options as well as a seasonal tasting menu. On Sundays, we offer a grand gala buffet full of sweet treats as well as savory items. 
We are looking for a skilled individual with comparable background in pastry chef or pastry cook capacity in restaurants. You should be detail oriented and love the business. We have a beautiful kitchen to work in with dedicated space towards pastry. 
Please send resume to apply. We are located in Campbell CA, next to San Jose, south of San Francisco.