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Chef Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Fleming's

Sous Chef

West Des Moines, IA

$45K - $62K/yr

As a successful Sous Chef, you will be the key to fulfilling our promise to make every guest visit a memorable celebration of food, wine, and personalized service. Ensuring that Fleming's is an ...

Gecko Hospitality

Chef de Cuisine

Dubuque, IA

$100K - $120K/yr

Chef de Cuisine Location: Dubuque, IA Salary: $100,000-$120,000 DOE Benefits: Competitive bonus opportunity, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, life and ...

Edgewater

Chef, $5,000 Sign On Bonus

Atlantic, IA

Chef As our Chef, you'll play a key role in supporting the health, happiness, and daily experience of the residents at Heritage House in Atlantic As our Chef, you will: * Lead Meal Production with ...

WesleyLife

Chef, $5,000 Sign On Bonus

Atlantic, IA · On-site

Chef As our Chef, you'll play a key role in supporting the health, happiness, and daily experience of the residents at Heritage House in Atlantic As our Chef, you will: * Lead Meal Production with ...

WesleyLife

Chef, $5,000 Sign On Bonus

Atlantic, IA

Chef As our Chef, you'll play a key role in supporting the health, happiness, and daily experience of the residents at Heritage House in Atlantic As our Chef, you will: * Lead Meal Production with ...

WesleyLife

Chef, $5,000 Sign On Bonus

Atlantic, IA

Chef As our Chef, you'll play a key role in supporting the health, happiness, and daily experience of the residents at Heritage House in Atlantic As our Chef, you will: * Lead Meal Production with ...

Bally's Corporation

Chef - Sous

Marquette, IA

$46K - $62K/yr

SOUS CHEF - HOURLY The Role: Supervise and coordinate activities of cooks and other culinary workers. Manage kitchen in the absence of the Department Manager. Responsibilities: * Ensure consistent ...

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Sushi Chef

Johnston, IA · On-site

Sushi Chef Department: Asian FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : As a Sushi Chef, this position will be responsible for preparing and filling customer orders and handling food in a safe manner. You ...

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Sushi Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

Sushi Chef Department: Asian FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : As a Sushi Chef, this position will be responsible for preparing and filling customer orders and handling food in a safe manner. You ...

HyVee

Sushi Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

Sushi Chef Department: Asian FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : As a Sushi Chef, this position will be responsible for preparing and filling customer orders and handling food in a safe manner. You ...

Bally's Corporation

Chef - Sous

Marquette, IA · On-site

$46K - $62K/yr

SOUS CHEF - HOURLY The Role: Supervise and coordinate activities of cooks and other culinary workers. Manage kitchen in the absence of the Department Manager. Responsibilities: * Ensure consistent ...

HyVee

Sushi Chef

Grinnell, IA

Sushi Chef Department: Asian FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : As a Sushi Chef, this position will be responsible for preparing and filling customer orders and handling food in a safe manner. You ...

New

HyVee

Sushi Chef

Johnston, IA

Sushi Chef Department: Asian FLSA : Non-Exempt General Function : As a Sushi Chef, this position will be responsible for preparing and filling customer orders and handling food in a safe manner. You ...

Bally's Corporation

Chef - Sous

Marquette, IA · On-site

$46K - $62K/yr

SOUS CHEF - HOURLY The Role: Supervise and coordinate activities of cooks and other culinary workers. Manage kitchen in the absence of the Department Manager. Responsibilities: * Ensure consistent ...

Sodexo

Executive Chef 2

Storm Lake, IA · On-site

$62K - $86K/yr

This Executive Chef will manage the dining programs campus wide that consist of Resident dining, Catering and small Retail options. Sodexo provides college campuses with food, nutrition ...

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All JobsChef JobsChef Jobs in Iowa

Chef information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$23

$41

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Iowa is $23.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.82 and $29.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much is a chef's salary?

The average salary for a chef varies depending on experience, location, and establishment type, but typically ranges from $25,000 to $60,000 annually. Executive chefs and those with specialized skills or working in high-end restaurants can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $80,000 per year.

What does a chef do?

A chef is a professional cook who is responsible for preparing meals, developing menus, and overseeing kitchen operations in restaurants, hotels, or other food establishments. Chefs ensure food quality, safety, and presentation standards are met, and often manage other kitchen staff. Their duties may include ordering ingredients, maintaining inventory, and creating new recipes. Chefs may specialize in specific types of cuisine or cooking techniques. They play a key role in delivering a memorable dining experience.

What is the difference between Chef vs Cook?

AspectChefCook
CredentialsFormal culinary training or certifications often preferredMinimal formal training, on-the-job experience common
Work EnvironmentProfessional kitchens, restaurants, hotelsVaries from home kitchens to restaurants, catering
Job ResponsibilitiesMenu planning, supervising kitchen staff, quality controlFood preparation, cooking, basic kitchen tasks
Industry UsageHigh-end restaurants, culinary institutionsWidespread across all food service settings

While both chefs and cooks work in kitchens and prepare food, chefs typically have formal training, oversee kitchen operations, and work in professional or upscale environments. Cooks usually focus on food preparation and cooking tasks, often with less formal education, and work in a variety of settings. The role of a chef involves leadership and menu development, whereas a cook primarily executes recipes and prepares dishes.

What Is a Chef?

A chef is a highly trained culinary professional who works as the chief cook in the kitchen of a restaurant. Many chefs earn a culinary degree and are formally trained by another accomplished chef, making them very skilled and competent in their craft. A chef spends a majority of their time in the kitchen cooking and directing other food preparers on the best ways to put together dishes, including appropriate garnish and presentation. Chefs are creative professionals, and are often involved in planning and making menus for the restaurant. Because chefs work as the head cooks in the kitchen, they are the supervisors of the other kitchen workers. In addition to overseeing food preparation, chefs coach and develop the other kitchen staff and help them grow and improve their skills. They are responsible for managing the logistics of the kitchen operations. They order necessary supplies, provide cost estimates to their employer, and monitor staff requirements and schedules.

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

To thrive as a Chef, you need strong culinary skills, creativity in menu development, and comprehensive knowledge of food safety standards, typically supported by culinary school training or relevant experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, recipe management software, and food hygiene certifications (such as ServSafe) is highly valuable. Exceptional organizational ability, teamwork, and leadership are critical soft skills for managing kitchen staff and maintaining a positive work environment. These competencies are essential for delivering high-quality dishes efficiently, ensuring kitchen safety, and running a successful culinary operation.

What is the highest paying job as a chef?

Executive chefs, especially those managing large or high-end establishments, tend to have the highest salaries among chefs, with some earning over $100,000 annually. Specialized roles such as culinary directors or chefs in luxury hotels and resorts often command higher pay due to experience, reputation, and leadership responsibilities.

What other jobs can I do as a chef?

Chefs can transition into roles such as restaurant managers, food service directors, culinary instructors, food critics, or catering managers. These positions often require similar skills in food preparation, management, and customer service, and may benefit from certifications like ServSafe or culinary degrees.

What are some common challenges chefs face in maintaining consistency across dishes and shifts?

Chefs often encounter challenges in ensuring that every dish meets the restaurant’s quality and presentation standards, particularly when managing a team with varying skill levels or during busy service periods. Maintaining consistency requires strong communication, standardized recipes, and rigorous training for all kitchen staff. Additionally, chefs must monitor ingredient quality and adapt quickly to supply changes, all while leading by example to uphold the restaurant’s reputation. Overcoming these challenges is key to delivering a reliable dining experience and building trust with patrons.

Is chef high salary?

Chefs can earn a wide range of salaries depending on experience, location, and establishment type. Executive chefs and those working in high-end restaurants or hotels tend to have higher salaries, often supplemented with tips and bonuses. Entry-level chefs typically earn less, while specialized skills and certifications can lead to increased earnings.
More about Chef jobs
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What are popular job titles related to Chef jobs in Iowa? For Chef jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chef jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Chef jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Chef jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Chef job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Chef jobs in IA? For Chef jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,114 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

Sous Chef

Fleming's

West Des Moines, IA

$45K - $62K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Text "Prime" to 30437 to apply now!

By texting Prime to 30437 you will opt-in to receive hiring messages and account related messages from Fleming's Steakhouse. Text HELP for help or smshelp@paradox.ai. Msg&data rates may apply. Msg freq varies. Text STOP to cancel. For terms, visit paradox.ai/legal/terms-of-use. Privacy policy can be found at paradox.ai/privacy-policy.


At Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, we Live, Breathe and Dream Steak & Wine!  


The soul of our brand is rooted in our Principles & Beliefs. Our values form the foundation for everything we do in every restaurant. They serve to guide how we lead and operate! 


Fleming's is rooted in our principles and beliefs. We foster a passionate team culture where everyone is supported, encouraged, engaged and celebrated. Our first in class training programs enable our restaurants to have a positive environment to learn, grow and advance. 

As a successful Sous Chef, you will be the key to fulfilling our promise to make every guest visit a memorable celebration of food, wine, and personalized service. Ensuring that Fleming's is an employer of choice in your community by creating a work environment where we welcome and respect who you are! You'll leave work every day knowing your positive contributions are appreciated. 

Specific responsibilities of a Sous Chef will include: 

  • Driving our high-quality employee standards by helping to maintain a fully staffed kitchen, fostering an inclusive environment, developing our kitchen Associates, and holding the team accountable in a constructive and supportive way. 
  • Implementing effective security protocols to always ensure the ongoing safety of both our employees and guests.  
  • Driving restaurant results by supervising the set-up and food production areas within the kitchen to maximize productivity and minimize waste. Ensuring line checks, testing, training, recipe adherence, expo management, cook times, cooking, etc.   
  • Taking pride in presenting quality food by ensuring that all menu items are made according to recipe and the presentation is to our high standards.   
  • Enforcing safety and sanitation practices by showcasing a passion for excellence and maintaining immaculate facilities. 
  • Living our Principles & Beliefs that people are inherently good and seek a sense of belonging and significance. Be a role model and foster a passionate culture within your restaurant of having fun! We strive to support our People in living full, balanced lives. 

Requirements: 

  • Minimum of 2 years prior kitchen supervisory or kitchen management experience 
  • Minimum of 2 years of previous polished casual or fine dining experience preferred 
  • Availability to work a flexible schedule 
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States 
  • Must be at least 21 years of age 
  • Basic computer proficiency preferred 

Bloomin Brands offers benefits such as medical, dental, vision, and 401k. Further details around eligibility and additional benefit offerings can be found at https://bloominbrandsbenefits.com/     

Compensation Range: Varies By Location - Varies by Location, based on a 45-hour work week (40 hours of regular and 5 hours of overtime)

We value diversity and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing all individuals employment consideration regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.    

Application Instructions

  • Click below to join our extraordinary team! A new window will open where you can complete your application with the help of our virtual assistant Callie. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Apply