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Chef Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

StepStone Hospitality

Executive Chef

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$69K - $96K/yr

What will be expected of you as an Executive Chef: • Schedule all associates adhering to labor standards guidelines and maintain adequate staffing levels. • Supervise all cooking operations ...

Compass Group

SOUS CHEF (FULL TIME)

Waterloo, IA

$21/hr

Previous sous chef or kitchen manager experience required. *Internal Employee Referral Bonus Available * Fixed Pay Rate : $21.00 per hour. We Make Applying Easy! Want to apply to this job via text ...

Eurest

SOUS CHEF (FULL TIME)

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$21/hr

Previous sous chef or kitchen manager experience required. *Internal Employee Referral Bonus Available * Fixed Pay Rate : $21.00 per hour. We Make Applying Easy! Want to apply to this job via text ...

Compass Group

SOUS CHEF (FULL TIME)

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$21/hr

Previous sous chef or kitchen manager experience required. *Internal Employee Referral Bonus Available * Fixed Pay Rate : $21.00 per hour. We Make Applying Easy! Want to apply to this job via text ...

The Arlington of Naples

Sous Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$45K - $64K/yr

Cottage Grove Place is recruiting for a hospitality focused Sous Chef to join our team! This position is responsible for full-scope, hands on production cooking in the Community Culinary Services ...

Heritage at Irene Woods

Sous Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA

$45K - $64K/yr

Cottage Grove Place is recruiting for a hospitality focused Sous Chef to join our team! This position is responsible for full-scope, hands on production cooking in the Community Culinary Services ...

Cottage Grove Place

Sous Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$45K - $64K/yr

Cottage Grove Place is recruiting for a hospitality focused Sous Chef to join our team! This position is responsible for full-scope, hands on production cooking in the Community Culinary Services ...

Life Care Companies, LLC

Sous Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$45K - $64K/yr

Cottage Grove Place is recruiting for a hospitality focused Sous Chef to join our team! This position is responsible for full-scope, hands on production cooking in the Community Culinary Services ...

Cottage Grove Place

Sous Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA

$45K - $64K/yr

Cottage Grove Place is recruiting for a hospitality focused Sous Chef to join our team! This position is responsible for full-scope, hands on production cooking in the Community Culinary Services ...

Life Care Services

Sous Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA

$45K - $64K/yr

Cottage Grove Place is recruiting for a hospitality focused Sous Chef to join our team! This position is responsible for full-scope, hands on production cooking in the Community Culinary Services ...

Life Care Services

Sous Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$45K - $64K/yr

Cottage Grove Place is recruiting for a hospitality focused Sous Chef to join our team! This position is responsible for full-scope, hands on production cooking in the Community Culinary Services ...

Asbury Village

Sous Chef

Cedar Rapids, IA

$45K - $64K/yr

Cottage Grove Place is recruiting for a hospitality focused Sous Chef to join our team! This position is responsible for full-scope, hands on production cooking in the Community Culinary Services ...

Big Grove Brewery

Sous Chef-Iowa City

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$43K - $58K/yr

The Sous Chef position is vital in leading a high-volume kitchen in a fast paced environment. The role requires a hands-on leader capable of maintaining Big Grove's hospitality standards while ...

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 ...

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 ...

Edgewater

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 · 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 ...

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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 Jun 16, 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.

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 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.
More about Chef jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Chef jobs in Iowa are:
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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,114 per year, or $23.1 per hour.
Executive Chef

Executive Chef

StepStone Hospitality

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$69K - $96K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

The beautiful and historic Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel is currently seeking a dynamic, experienced and motivated individual for the position of Executive Chef at our StepStone Hospitality managed hotel. This candidate should demonstrate excellent organizational & communication skills, a strong proficiency in multi-tasking with exceptional hospitality and guest service skills.
What will be expected of you as an Executive Chef:
• Schedule all associates adhering to labor standards guidelines and maintain adequate staffing levels.
• Supervise all cooking operations including methods, portioning, and garnishing.
• Assist in planning meals and developing menus.
• Requisition food and equipment by giving specifications, quantities, and quality descriptions.
• Ensure attractive presentation of all food dishes.
• Maintain health and sanitation standards.
• Plan and control departmental budget, plan long term and short-term business objectives.
• Achieve budgeted revenues and expenses and maximize profitability.
• Contribute to guest satisfaction perception of culinary department and other hotel departments.
• Develop short- and long-term financial and operational plans for the restaurant that relate to the overall objectives of the hotel.
• Increase level of guest satisfaction by delivery of an exceptional product through associate development.
• Manage in compliance with Federal, state, local, and StepStone regulations and standards.
• Maintain and correct procedures for inventory control.
• Ability to accurately use various office and accounting software.
• Train and develop Sous Chefs to manage department budgets, schedule and supervise line cooks, prep. cooks and stewards.
• Interview, hire and train associates, determine/approve pay increases, conduct performance reviews, counseling, discipline and recommend for promotion or termination. Ensure all policies and procedures are adhered to; seek guidance of Human Resources when needed.
• Formulate and implement policies and procedures and determine when to deviate from standard policy.
• Flexible to work a varied schedule due to business levels and industry demand.
• Follow all safety procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
• Maintain uniform and grooming standards as outlined in associate handbook and departmental training.
• Direct all food production.
• Ensure that all associates attend a monthly meeting to communicate and define new policies and procedures. Assure documentation of meeting minutes and monitors topics to assure a safety related issue is discussed at each meeting.
• Assign one associate to attend monthly Life Safety Committee Meeting. Monitor to ensure information from this meeting are being presented and documented at department's monthly meetings with documentation forwarded to Security Manager.
• Develop and implement quarterly menu development for all meal periods and create customer menus for special events.
• Assist with weekly invoice review.
Requirements
• Minimum lifting of 50 pounds.
• Pushing, bending, stooping, upward reaching, manual dexterity.
• Hearing, writing, typing.
• Minimum pulling of 50 pounds.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Must have a comprehensive knowledge of all hotel departments and functions.
• Must have a comprehensive knowledge of applicable Federal, state, and local health, safety, and legal regulations.
• Must have exceptional mathematical and computer skills.
• High school education and relevant training and experience required. Additional education is preferred.
• Ability to timely obtain any required licenses or certificates.
• CPR training required; first aid training preferred.
• Additional language ability preferred.
Stepstone Hospitality and the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel are Equal Opportunity Employers - EOE/M/F/D/V

Apply