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Chef Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Oakwood Village

Sous Chef (East Madison)

Madison, WI · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

POSITION OVERVIEW The Sous Chef position reports to the Executive Chef and is responsible for developing and executive culinary results to exceed customer expectations. Oversight and supervision of ...

Prairie Ridge Health

Station Chef - PRN

Columbus, WI · On-site

The Station Chef is responsible for the preparation of food for patients, caters, and the cafeteria menu. They will pre-dish patient food items and assemble patient trays. The Station Chef is also ...

ScionHealth

Chef - Full-time Days

Watertown, WI · On-site

Job Summary Schedule: 9am - 7:30pm The Chef oversees and participates in the preparation of meals for patients, employees, and guests, ensuring nutritional quality, presentation, and compliance with ...

Buck & Honeys

Sous Chef/Kitchen Manager

Mount Horeb, WI · On-site

$62K - $67K/yr

Head Chef, Corporate Executive Chef Classification: Full-Time, Exempt Position Summary Buck & Honey's Mt. Horeb is seeking a hands-on, organized, and driven Kitchen Manager to help lead daily kitchen ...

Koch Industries

EH&S Manager

Janesville, WI · On-site

$81K - $110K/yr

Partners with site leadership to influence all team members to embrace and achieve our Path to Zero Safety Strategy consistent with Koch's Safety Vision. * Partners with site leadership to ensure ...

LSL ALF LLC

Chef/Cook

Middleton, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Cardinal View Senior Living, a Lifespark Senior Living Community is looking for a Chef/Cook to join our growing team. Cardinal View Senior Living recently opened in fall of 2021 and is easily ...

Lifespark Holdings, Inc.

Chef/Cook

Middleton, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Cardinal View Senior Living, a Lifespark Senior Living Community is looking for a Chef/Cook to join our growing team. Cardinal View Senior Living recently opened in fall of 2021 and is easily ...

Buck & Honeys

Sous Chef/Kitchen Manager

Monona, WI · On-site

$65K/yr

This role works closely with the chefs and kitchen team to oversee expo operations, maintain sanitation standards, assist with food preparation for events and parties, manage inventory and ordering ...

Buckandhoneys

Sous Chef/Kitchen Manager

Monona, WI · On-site

$58.50 - $71.50/hr

This role works closely with the chefs and kitchen team to oversee expo operations, maintain sanitation standards, assist with food preparation for events and parties, manage inventory and ordering ...

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Chef information

See Madison, WI salary details

$10

$24

$45

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Madison, WI is $24.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.97 and $31.25 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.
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For Chef jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Madison, WI 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, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,616 per year, or $24.8 per hour.

Sous Chef (East Madison)

Oakwood Village

Madison, WI • On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Sous Chef position reports to the Executive Chef and is responsible for developing and executive culinary results to exceed customer expectations. Oversight and supervision of dining staff, all service, production and presentation standards. Applies culinary techniques to food preparation and manages the final presentation and service of food.
MISSION
We are Called to serve a thriving community where senior live with dignity, connection and purpose.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to)
Culinary
  • Assists with menu writing and cycle of cost control utilizing appropriate recipes and costing measures.
  • Responsible for the quality of all food products and ensure that standards are met, to include preparation of all foods and final presentation.
  • Supports dining team with all aspects of food production, execution and presentation.
  • Assists with oversight of all aspects of catering operations.

Operations
  • Assist in maintaining vendor relationships.
  • Inspects supplies, equipment, or work areas to ensure conformance to established standards.
  • Communicates with culinary leadership regarding equipment purchase or repairs.
  • Assists culinary leadership with purchasing of all food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation ensuring quality control practices are in place for receiving all products.
  • Assists in determining production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
  • Ensures company standards for safety, proper food handling practices, sanitation, uniform guidelines, and productivity are maintained.
  • Compiles and records production or operational data on specified forms.
  • Manages department controllable expenses (P&L) including food costs, labor, and overhead costs.
  • Assists with taking inventory.

People
  • Provides exceptional customer service when managing resident relationships to maintain resident satisfaction.
  • Assists with review process for production staff.
  • Instructs, trains, and supervises cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing or presentation of food to maintain excellent standards.
  • Provides excellent customer service to include being attentive, approachable, greeting and thanking customers.
  • May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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