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Chef Jobs in Chester, VA (NOW HIRING)

Gecko Hospitality VA/DC

Executive Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

EXECUTIVE CHEF Richmond, Virginia | Salary up to $90,000 About the Opportunity An established, growing foodservice operation in the Richmond market is seeking a hands-on Executive Chef to lead ...

EAT Restaurant Partners

Sous Chef

Henrico, VA · On-site

$63K - $65K/yr

EAT Restaurant Partners - Urgent Hiring for a Highly Skilled Sous Chef Are you looking for a fun and dynamic kitchen environment where your culinary talents can truly shine? Do you want to work in a ...

Taco Bamba Richmond

Chef

Richmond, VA

Description The Chef is responsible for overseeing daily Back-of-House (BOH) operations and acting as Manager on Duty (MOD) when scheduled. This role manages BOH staffing, food and labor costs, and ...

Taco Bamba Taqueria

Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

The Chef is responsible for overseeing daily Back-of-House (BOH) operations and acting as Manager on Duty (MOD) when scheduled. This role manages BOH staffing, food and labor costs, and ensures ...

The Country Club of Virginia

Executive Sous Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

$61K - $79K/yr

The position of Executive Sous Chef at CCV is a key leadership role within one of the nation's largest and most respected private club culinary operations. Working alongside a second Executive Sous ...

Taco Bamba

Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

The Chef is responsible for overseeing daily Back-of-House (BOH) operations and acting as Manager on Duty (MOD) when scheduled. This role manages BOH staffing, food and labor costs, and ensures ...

GOEBEL FIXTURE COMPANY

Executive Sous Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

The position of Executive Sous Chef at CCV is a key leadership role within one of the nation's largest and most respected private club culinary operations. Working alongside a second Executive Sous ...

American Cruise Lines

Pastry Chef

Petersburg, VA

Pastry Chef American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line operating exclusively within the United States, is seeking talented Pastry Chefs to join our team for the 2026 season. Our modern riverboats ...

Maggiano's Little Italy

Sous Chef

Richmond, VA · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

Description Sous Chef - Maggiano's Little Italy Why Maggiano's? At Maggiano's, we believe great food brings people together. Our scratch-made Italian-American classics and warm, family-style ...

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All JobsChef JobsChef Jobs in Chester, VA

Chef information

See Chester, VA salary details

$9

$22

$41

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Chester, VA is $22.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.48 and $28.56 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 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 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.

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.

Is 25 too late to become a chef?

Becoming a chef at 25 is not too late, as many chefs start their careers in their twenties or later. Success in the culinary industry depends on skills, training, and experience, which can be gained through culinary schools, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training at any age.
More about Chef jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Chester, VA?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Chester, VA are:

What job categories do people searching Chef jobs in Chester, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Chef jobs in Chester, VA are:

What cities near Chester, VA are hiring for Chef jobs?

Cities near Chester, VA with the most Chef job openings:

Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Chester, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,138 per year, or $22.7 per hour.

Executive Chef

Gecko Hospitality VA/DC

Richmond, VA • On-site

$85K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Provide culinary leadership for all kitchen operations.

  • Lead menu and recipe development, documentation, and execution.

  • Train, mentor, and develop kitchen leadership and line staff.

Job description

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Richmond, Virginia | Salary up to $90,000

About the Opportunity
An established, growing foodservice operation in the Richmond market is seeking a hands-on Executive Chef to lead culinary execution across multiple high-volume production and service channels. This leadership role requires a chef who excels at scratch cooking, culinary systems, team development, food safety, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

·         Provide culinary leadership for all kitchen operations.

·         Establish and maintain recipe, quality, and production standards.

·         Lead menu and recipe development, documentation, and execution.

·         Train, mentor, and develop kitchen leadership and line staff.

·         Oversee high-volume scratch production including meats, soups, sauces, dressings, and prepared foods.

·         Ensure consistent food quality, presentation, accuracy, and timeliness.

·         Build scalable production systems, prep procedures, and inventory controls.

·         Monitor food cost, labor, waste, yields, and operating efficiencies.

·         Maintain HACCP compliance, sanitation standards, and food safety programs.

·         Assist with recruiting, staffing, and succession planning.

Qualifications

·         7+ years of professional culinary experience.

·         3+ years in an Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Executive Sous Chef, or similar leadership role.

·         Strong scratch cooking background.

·         Experience in high-volume restaurants, catering, hotel, club, commissary, or prepared foods operations.

·         Proven leadership and training skills.

·         Knowledge of food costing, purchasing, inventory, and labor management.

·         Strong food safety and HACCP knowledge.

·         ServSafe certification or ability to obtain quickly.

·         Stable employment history and interest in long-term career growth.

Compensation & Benefits

·         Base salary up to $90,000 based on experience.

·         Performance-based bonus opportunity.

·         Relocation allowance to Richmond, VA

·         Paid time off.

·         Retirement benefits.

·         Health benefits package.

·         Opportunity to make a significant impact on culinary standards and operational systems.

Confidential Candidate Submission
Interested candidates should submit their resume to tombull@geckohospitality. All resumes will be treated with the highest level of professional confidentiality. This is a confidential search and details regarding the hiring organization will be discussed with qualified candidates during the interview process.

Company Description

Gecko Hospitality, named to Forbes list of America’s Best Recruiting Firms, offers the largest selection of restaurants, catering, grocery store, corporate dining, senior living, healthcare foodservice, K-12 foodservice, and higher education foodservice positions. Our hospitality-exclusive team covers all 50 states and Canada and offers professional placement services with over 120 dedicated hospitality experts.

With Gecko's extensive list of hospitality recruiter services, we get you and your resume in front of the hospitality industry's leading decision-makers! Better yet, Gecko has exceptional national, regional, and local relationships and is well respected in the hospitality industry for enhancing hospitality careers.

Our national network consists of 80 regional offices driven to meet the needs of the hospitality industry. From fast food to fine dining and grocery stores to senior living, Gecko recruits chef and management positions for all facets of the hospitality industry. Gecko boasts generations of hospitality recruiting experience, consisting of over 1,900 collective years, that furthers the careers of those seeking professional management positions. Contact us today and we will get you in touch with one of our experts to discuss your opportunities.