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Chef Jobs in Oregon, IL (NOW HIRING)

Chef Manager

Dixon, IL · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

The Chef Manager position requires experience in the food service industry as well as client relations and leadership skills, and basic accounting practices. The Chef Manager position will assist in ...

As Chef de Cuisine, you will oversee the premium club kitchen, driving refined menu execution, food quality, presentation, and team performance in one of the venue's premier hospitality environments.

As Chef de Cuisine, you will oversee the premium club kitchen, driving refined menu execution, food quality, presentation, and team performance in one of the venue's premier hospitality environments.

Sous Chef $60,000-$65,000/year | Full-Time Wesley Willows | Rockford, IL Start a meaningful career as a Sous Chef at Wesley Willows, a senior living community. Make a difference in someone's life ...

Sous Chef - Bistro

Rockford, IL · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Sous Chef $60,000-$65,000/year | Full-Time Wesley Willows | Rockford, IL Start a meaningful career as a Sous Chef at Wesley Willows, a senior living community. Make a difference in someone's life ...

Be Seen First

Bourn & Koch is a leading manufacturer and remanufacturer of precision CNC machine tools serving customers across North America. We are seeking a skilled Mechanical Assembler who takes pride in ...

Cook/Chef

Loves Park, IL · On-site

$18 - $21/hr

Where Lives & Careers Flourish! At Encore Senior Living, there is a strong sense of teamwork, a commitment to professional development, and a culture that encourages promotion from within. As a ...

Cook

Rockford, IL · On-site

$12.75 - $17.25/hr

Previous kitchen / culinary / chef experience is preferred, but not required. * Experience and knowledge of kitchen equipment including but not limited to knives, slicer, mixer, stoves, ovens ...

Cook

Rockford, IL · On-site

$12.75 - $17.25/hr

Previous kitchen / culinary / chef experience is preferred, but not required. * Experience and knowledge of kitchen equipment including but not limited to knives, slicer, mixer, stoves, ovens ...

Cook

Rockford, IL · On-site

$14 - $18.75/hr

Previous kitchen / culinary / chef experience is preferred, but not required. * Experience and knowledge of kitchen equipment including but not limited to knives, slicer, mixer, stoves, ovens ...

Cook

Rockford, IL

$12.75 - $17.25/hr

Previous kitchen / culinary / chef experience is preferred, but not required. * Experience and knowledge of kitchen equipment including but not limited to knives, slicer, mixer, stoves, ovens ...

Microbiology Tutor

Dekalb, IL · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Familiar with undergraduate microbiology curricula and common challenges such as distinguishing bacterial from viral infections, understanding immune cell functions, and applying Koch postulates.

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Showing results 1-20

Chef information

See Oregon, IL salary details

$9

$23

$41

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Oregon, IL is $23.05, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.77 and $29.04 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Oregon, IL?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Oregon, IL are:

What cities near Oregon, IL are hiring for Chef jobs?

Cities near Oregon, IL with the most Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Oregon, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,940 per year, or $23 per hour.

$60K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Quest Food Management Services rating

3.4

Company rating: 3.4 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 68 rated caterers


Job description

Our Promise

Balance - Quest fosters a fun, supportive environment that puts people first and strives for both culinary excellence and enduring relationships. Our flexible work opportunities encourage a healthy life balance for all of our valued team members.

Meaning - Quest believes that every aspect of what we do has significance, and therefore, our food is fresh and made from scratch, using high quality and responsibly sourced ingredients. We nourish our communities with wholesome meals and through our genuine and personal connections.

Recognition - Quest provides competitive compensation and benefits and celebrates the fulfillment of our collective values at all levels of the organization. We support professional growth through training, development and access to highly visible leadership.

Position Summary

The Chef Manager position will assist in overseeing the cafeteria and catering at unit. The Chef Manager position requires experience in the food service industry as well as client relations and leadership skills, and basic accounting practices.

The Chef Manager position will assist in training and development of the staff, so that next level leaders are identified, groomed, and placed in positions fitting their skills and abilities, as Quest to continues to grow. This will be achieved by team leadership, skill development, 30/60/90 reviews and career path with timelines.

The Chef Manager will lead the team in order to effectively manage all safety and sanitation as it pertains to the account. As a leader on the Quest team, the Chef Manager will lead by example and maintain a professional and reputable work environment by enforcing policy and best practices that brings out a positive employment brand. This position is responsible for leading the Quest nutrition and guest experience efforts, providing vision, leadership and strategic guidance to the company in these areas. Ensures that Quest vision, values and founding principles are effectively communicated and practiced. Manages assigned company location and team members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Cascades the vision of Quest Food Management Services ensuring the Quest vision, values and founding principles are effectively communicated, understood and practiced.
  • Demonstrates commitment to Quest vision, values and missions through actions on a daily basis.
  • Adhering to all Corporate deadlines in regard to Mealtime, Invoices, Payroll and EOM
  • Continually measure customer satisfaction levels through feedback, so that any issues are resolved immediately.
  • Identify and groom next level personnel to grow with company. Develop career paths including training schedules and timeframes.
  • Purchases inventory levels of cafeteria and catering service.
  • Manage signage and implement Quest promotions and marketing schemes that are rolled out each month
  • Manage staff to include selection, work allocation, training, coaching and mentoring, problem resolution, performance evaluation and feedback, and corrective action.
  • Lead development of the food experience offered by Quest, including developing Quest’s food “brand” via recipes, menus, concepts, and merchandising.
  • Lead development of systems and processes to ensure all food experiences are operationally and financially executable.
  • Champion and advance Quest's nutritional standards in recipe, menu, and brand development.
  • Provide expertise in nutrition and wellness throughout Quest, including nutrition counseling for customers, operational advice and guidance regarding dietary needs, and nutrition and allergen information sharing.
  • Support Quest’s purchasing efforts to ensure product selection is aligned with food experience.
  • Lead Quest’s food safety and sanitation efforts, ensuring every meal is served with the highest levels of attention to safety for our guests.
  • Provide leadership in Quest’s corporate marketing and sales strategies.
  • Serve as Quest’s internal subject matter expert on sustainability, identifying ways for Quest to partner with clients to deliver onsite sustainability solutions and participate in industry best practices regarding sustainability.
  • Provide hands-on support as needed for special events and coverage for gaps in management presence at the account level.
  • Provide support in sales and marketing efforts for account retention and acquisition.
  • Maintain Quest high standards with customer service and exceeding our client’s expectations.
  • Consistently thrive to introduce new and exciting concepts to keep the account fresh and exciting.
  • Maintain all SOP standards.
  • Maintain all HACCP standards.

Job Requirements/Specifications

Education and Experience: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required:

  • Three years of experience in food service management
  • Experience in developing and managing budgets
  • Experience in food safety leadership within a food service or restaurant environment
  • Experience in building and leading a high performing team
  • Strong client relations experience
  • Proficient in MS Office
  • Strong knowledge of the food service and hospitality industry
  • Requires extensive hours at times and frequent local travel
  • Responsible for meeting and maintaining state and local certification requirements (Food Service Manager)

Essential Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactory. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

  • Demonstrated commitment to Quest vision, values and mission through actions on a daily basis
  • Ability to maintain professionalism and a positive attitude in the workplace
  • Demonstrated skill with developing long-term strategic plans and lead/participate in short-term operational implementation (ability to be both strategic and tactical)
  • Keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills
  • Demonstrated ability to consistently communicate a clear understanding of internal and external customer expectations and adapt as appropriate to exceed their needs
  • Proven ability to focus attention on determining what can be done to make progress
  • Proven skill to anticipates the needs of coworkers and proactively assists them to meet a common goal

Language Skills

  • Ability to read, write and speak English

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  • Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
  • While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk and hear
  • Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, kneel, bend, use hands to feel, and reach with hands and arms
  • Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
  • Exposure to odors, noise, heat, steam, in/out walk-in freezer, cleaning chemicals and detergent
  • Fine hand manipulation (keyboarding, knife skills)

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

  • Kitchen environment
  • Noise level is low to moderate

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The team member must provide medical evidence for reasonable accommodation


I have read and understand this explanation and job description. Quest business is continuously evolving to meet the needs of our customers – you can expect, anticipate, and assume that your job duties will evolve accordingly as well.

#questfood


Sign On Bonus $500

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