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Chef Jobs in Hamilton, AL (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Fayette, AL

Fayette, AL

$55K - $65K/yr

Working as the Sous Chef, you will be responsible for the successful operation of the Culinary Department for a facility. You will assist in the supervision, preparation, and cooking of various food ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Fayette, AL

Fayette, AL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Working as the Sous Chef, you will be responsible for the successful operation of the Culinary Department for a facility. You will assist in the supervision, preparation, and cooking of various food ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Fayette, AL

Fayette, AL · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Working as the Sous Chef, you will be responsible for the successful operation of the Culinary Department for a facility. You will assist in the supervision, preparation, and cooking of various food ...

Certified Hospitality

Hotel Cook

Guin, AL · On-site

$8 - $10.75/hr

Hotel Cook We are looking for a professional cook to prepare food to the exact chef's specifications and brand standards. The successful candidate will play a key role in contributing to our customer ...

All JobsChef JobsChef Jobs in Hamilton, AL

Chef information

See Hamilton, AL salary details

$7

$17

$31

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Hamilton, AL is $17.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.88 and $21.88 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 cities near Hamilton, AL are hiring for Chef jobs?

Cities near Hamilton, AL with the most Chef job openings:

Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Hamilton, AL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,172 per year, or $17.4 per hour.

Sous Chef - Fayette, AL

Fayette, AL

Compass Group
Catering • 10K+ employees

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,093 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

347th of 496 rated business services

Free food

People enjoy working here

Recommended by students

Learn more about Compass Groupexternal

$55K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

 Salary: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00

Other Forms of Compensation: annual increase eligibility 

Morrison Healthcare, a Compass Healthcare company, is a leader in healthcare food and nutrition services company, serving more than 1,000 hospitals and healthcare systems across the country. With more than 31,000 associates nationwide, Morrison uses the Power of Food to create personalized dining experiences for patients and in their cafés to advance the healing and healthful missions of its clients. Morrison has been serving some of the nation’s largest health systems for more than 70 years, and it leverages culinary, nutritional, and operational expertise to provide consistency and transform the healthcare experience. Since 2012, Morrison has been recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Best Places to Work and Training Magazine has named it a Top 125/APEX Award Training Organization. Morrison has more than 1,600 registered dietitians and 1,200 executive chefs, and serves more than 600M meals annually.

Job Summary

Job Summary:

Working as the Sous Chef, you will be responsible for the successful operation of the Culinary Department for a facility. You will assist in the supervision, preparation, and cooking of various food items, developing daily menu items and their preparation and garnishment. You may supervise hourly associates and you work with Executive Chef/Chef to develop new menus and assist with ordering. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, entrepreneurial Culinary professional. 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assists the Executive Chef with managing cost controls and control expenditures for the account
  • Assists the Executive Chef with planning and creating menus
  • Produces and execute catering events
  • Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with Company marketing and culinary team

Preferred Qualifications:

  • A.S. or equivalent experience
  • Some progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training
  • Catering experience a plus
  • High volume, complex foodservice operations experience - highly desirable
  • Institutional and batch cooking experiences helpful
  • Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
  • Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E-mail and the Internet
  • Must be willing to participate in client satisfaction programs/activities 
  • ServSafe certified - highly desirable

Apply to Morrison Healthcare today!

Morrison Healthcare is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Morrison Healthcare are offered many fantastic benefits. 

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Personal Leave
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_MorrisonHealthcare.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Morrison Healthcare maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:  1562360

Morrison Healthcare 

Joshua Ryan Keith 

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