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Chef Jobs in Portland, MI (NOW HIRING)

Sous Chef

East Lansing, MI · On-site

$48K - $64K/yr

We currently have a vacancy for a Sous Chef to work a Full Time schedule in our Bistro. Join our culinary team and make a resident's day by providing them with a flavorful quality meal. We produce a ...

Executive Sous Chef- Lansing Center

Lansing, MI · On-site

$65K - $84K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Executive Sous Chef DEPARTMENT: Food and Beverage REPORTS TO: Director of Food & Beverage/Assistant General Manager FLSA STATUS: Salaried, Exempt LEGENDS GLOBAL Legends Global is the premier partner ...

Executive Sous Chef- Lansing Center

Lansing, MI · On-site

$65K - $84K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Executive Sous Chef DEPARTMENT: Food and Beverage REPORTS TO: Director of Food & Beverage/Assistant General Manager FLSA STATUS: Salaried, Exempt LEGENDS GLOBAL Legends Global is the premier partner ...

Welder/Fabricator

Caledonia, MI · On-site

$25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Caledonia, MI (Kent County -- approx. 15 minutes from Grand Rapids, Cascade, and Byron Center) Company: Koch Finishing Systems Koch Finishing Systems is a custom engineering and fabrication company ...

Welder/Fabricator

Caledonia, MI · On-site

$25/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Caledonia, MI (Kent County -- approx. 15 minutes from Grand Rapids, Cascade, and Byron Center) Company: Koch Finishing Systems Koch Finishing Systems is a custom engineering and fabrication company ...

Welder/Fabricator

Caledonia, MI

$25 - $30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Caledonia, MI (Kent County -- approx. 15 minutes from Grand Rapids, Cascade, and Byron Center) Company: Koch Finishing Systems Koch Finishing Systems is a custom engineering and fabrication company ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Caledonia, MI

$85K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mechanical Design Engineer - Custom Automation Equipment Koch Finishing Systems | Caledonia, MI (Grand Rapids Area) | Full-Time Koch Finishing Systems is seeking an experienced Mechanical Design ...

Field Control Technician

Caledonia, MI · Remote

$110K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

S.-based -- must reside within 1 hour of a major or regional airport Build a Career That Travels With You At Koch Finishing Systems, we design and deliver innovative surface finishing solutions used ...

EXECUTIVE CHEF - Lowell Area School, MI

Lowell, MI · On-site

$62K - $65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary Executive Chef Chartwells K12 | Compass Group USA Lowell Area Schools | Lowell, MI Ready to bring creativity, energy, and great food to the next generation? Chartwells K12 is seeking an ...

EXECUTIVE CHEF - Lowell Area School, MI

Lowell, MI · On-site

$62K - $65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary Executive Chef Chartwells K12 | Compass Group USA Lowell Area Schools | Lowell, MI Ready to bring creativity, energy, and great food to the next generation? Chartwells K12 is seeking an ...

EXECUTIVE CHEF - Lowell Area School, MI

Lowell, MI · On-site

$62K - $65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary Executive Chef Chartwells K12 | Compass Group USA Lowell Area Schools | Lowell, MI Ready to bring creativity, energy, and great food to the next generation? Chartwells K12 is seeking an ...

EXECUTIVE CHEF - Lowell Area School, MI

Lowell, MI · On-site

$62K - $65K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary Executive Chef Chartwells K12 | Compass Group USA Lowell Area Schools | Lowell, MI Ready to bring creativity, energy, and great food to the next generation? Chartwells K12 is seeking an ...

Chef - KFC (New)

Saint Johns, MI · On-site

$11.25 - $14.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Fundraisers and volunteer programs As a Chef, you will be responsible for: * Using the correct tools to prepare, cook and present our products * Serving food that meets our quality and safety ...

Koch Finishing Systems is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team in Caledonia, Michigan. We design and build custom automated finishing systems used for cleaning ...

Koch Finishing Systems is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team in Caledonia, Michigan. We design and build custom automated finishing systems used for cleaning ...

Field Control Technician

Caledonia, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Build a Career That Travels With You At Koch Finishing Systems, we design and deliver innovative surface finishing solutions used across industries--from automotive to aerospace. We're seeking a ...

Field Control Technician

Caledonia, MI · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Build a Career That Travels With You At Koch Finishing Systems, we design and deliver innovative surface finishing solutions used across industries--from automotive to aerospace. We're seeking a ...

Chef Manager Oliver Woods Assisted Living POSITION SUMMARY Responsible for managing overall community dining operations and experience, as well as leading by example with regard to customer service ...

Chef Manager Oliver Woods Assisted Living POSITION SUMMARY Responsible for managing overall community dining operations and experience, as well as leading by example with regard to customer service ...

Chef Manager Woodlawn Meadows Assisted Living POSITION SUMMARY Responsible for managing overall community dining operations and experience, as well as leading by example with regard to customer ...

Showing results 21-40

Chef information

See Portland, MI salary details

$8

$20

$36

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Portland, MI is $20.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.85 and $25.53 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Portland, MI?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Portland, MI are:

What cities near Portland, MI are hiring for Chef jobs?

Cities near Portland, MI with the most Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Portland, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,167 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

Sous Chef

Burcham Hills

East Lansing, MI • On-site

$48K - $64K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Burcham Hills is an upscale senior living retirement community located in the backyard of Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. We currently have a vacancy for a Sous Chef to work a Full Time schedule in our Bistro. Join our culinary team and make a resident’s day by providing them with a flavorful quality meal. We produce a diverse array of foods that you would not expect in a retirement community, alongside some of the usual suspects. We offer nutritious items as well as items that are just plain good eating. Do you have an item to add to our repertoire? Let’s work together to make a difference.

In this position a Sous Chef will participate in, supervises and coordinates the preparation of menu items. Ensures food is prepared, portioned, garnished and presented according to Burcham’s standards. in our Bistro. Ensure that a clean and sanitary work environment is maintain, in addition to but not limited to the following duties:

  • Quality of Food: prepare palatable and attractive meals in sufficient quantities from standardized recipes for residents’ meals, monitor food served relative to appearance, temperature, sanitary and quality standards and portion control
  • Sanitation: ensure sanitary conditions in all work areas of the kitchen meet or exceed health department requirements, documentation is done, proper food handling, accurate labeling and dating, work area organized, monitor equipment, report concerns to manager, etc.
  • Customer Satisfaction and Teamwork: courteous – the answer is “yes”, orders are accurate, meals are delivered timely, dietary restrictions honored, empowered to meet resident’s needs and fulfill special requests, etc.
  • Work in a lead role to assist in guiding the Bistro team.

If you like to smile, enjoy providing exceptional hospitality, and want to work in a fun and rewarding environment where you are positively affecting the lives of seniors, we want to hear from you!

Qualifications:

  • ServSafe Certified (or ability to obtain within 90 days).
  • One-year experience in quantity food production and preparation methods preferred.
  • Works well under stressful/high volume work periods.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, exercise independent judgment and follow through to completion with little or no supervision. Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend written and oral instructions in English effectively to interpret and explain the menu, refer or answer questions, understand resident requests and resident dietary needs, as well as follow rules and safety requirements.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Ability to communicate with, understand, empathize with, work with, and be tolerant of residents, families, visitors, government agencies/personnel, general public, peers, supervisors and subordinates.

PERKS OUTSIDE OF THE PAYCHECK:

  • Senior advocacy
  • Rewarding hospitality driven environment
  • Growth opportunities
  • Diverse culture
  • Open door atmosphere
  • Option to be paid daily
  • Discounted employee meals
  • Free parking
  • Employee Assistance Program to all employees
  • Eligible for benefits as of the 31st day of employment if Full Time
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee recognition programs
  • Beautiful, resort-like campus on 38 acres
  • Join an exceptional team!

Drug-free workplace.

EEO & E-verify employer.

#sponsor