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Chef Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Food Service - Jr Sous Chef

Rochester, NY

$49K - $66K/yr

Sous Chef Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We bring ...

Corporate Executive Chef

Rochester, NY · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

The Corporate Executive Chef is specifically accountable for CAB culinary demonstrations, customer education events, and menu consultation support. Program-level relationship management and marketing ...

In this role, you will support the Executive Chef in overseeing high-volume kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, and leading and developing the culinary team. If you bring strong ...

In this role, you will support the Executive Chef in overseeing high-volume kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, and leading and developing the culinary team. If you bring strong ...

In this role, you will support the Executive Chef in overseeing high-volume kitchen operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, and leading and developing the culinary team. If you bring strong ...

Sous Chef

Rochester, NY · On-site

$20 - $28/hr

Essential Duties & Responsibilities * Washes produce, cuts ingredients, and prepares hot and cold foods * Ensures all food is of satisfactory quality and quantity, and is prepared, served, and stored ...

Sushi Cook

Webster, NY · On-site

$17.50/hr

As a culinary professional at Wegmans, you'll have the opportunity to join an energizing, collaborative team led by some of the best chefs in the industry. Our store is your pantry-with access to the ...

Sushi Cook

Webster, NY · On-site

$17.50 - $18/hr

You will work alongside experienced sushi chefs, learning traditional techniques and perfecting your craft in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. Responsibilities: * Prepare ingredients ...

A Line Cook, Wok Cook, Cook, Chef De Partie, or Station Chef accommodates guest's needs by preparing food according to established recipes and procedures as well as following safety and sanitation ...

Line Cook

Victor, NY · On-site

$18 - $22/hr

A Line Cook, Wok Cook, Cook, Chef De Partie, or Station Chef accommodates guest's needs by preparing food according to established recipes and procedures as well as following safety and sanitation ...

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Chef information

See Rochester, NY salary details

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$44

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Rochester, NY is $24.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $30.58 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 Is a Chef?

A chef is a highly trained culinary professional who works as the chief cook in the kitchen of a restaurant. Many chefs earn a culinary degree and are formally trained by another accomplished chef, making them very skilled and competent in their craft. A chef spends a majority of their time in the kitchen cooking and directing other food preparers on the best ways to put together dishes, including appropriate garnish and presentation. Chefs are creative professionals, and are often involved in planning and making menus for the restaurant. Because chefs work as the head cooks in the kitchen, they are the supervisors of the other kitchen workers. In addition to overseeing food preparation, chefs coach and develop the other kitchen staff and help them grow and improve their skills. They are responsible for managing the logistics of the kitchen operations. They order necessary supplies, provide cost estimates to their employer, and monitor staff requirements and schedules.

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 some 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 Rochester, NY? The most popular types of Chef jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What are popular job titles related to Chef jobs in Rochester, NY? For Chef jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chef jobs in Rochester, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Chef jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Chef jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Chef job openings:

Food Service - Jr Sous Chef

ssagroup

Rochester, NY

$49K - $66K/yr

Other

Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Jr Sous Chef

Reports to: Sous Chef

 

Who are we:

For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.

We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.

Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.

Responsibilities 

  • Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.

  • Ensure restaurant/location is adequately prepped and staffed (BOH) for daily operation.
  • Oversight of location kitchen duties, ensuring quickservice, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising, and guest service standards are all met and exceeded.
  • Oversight of safety logs, including food temperatures, rotation, and waste.
  • Ensures proper uniform, hygiene, handwashing, and glove use with staff.
  • Responsible for supporting SSAfety training with knife handling skills, ensuring all direct reports display proper use of knives and slicers.
  • Creates daily prep and item lists, delegating to employees as necessary.
  • Actively helps to support operations and fill holes as necessary to ensure smooth service.
  • Maintains a checklist of routine or daily cleaning tasks and ongoing projects or menu planning.
  • Assists the Sous Chef in assigning associates to duties, coaching through projects, daily task,s and guest interaction.
  • Actively and efficiently responds to guest and client feedback, with a report to the operations manager to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigated against further occurrence.
  • Oversees personnel duties, including but not limited to:
    • Training new employees and issuing performance reviews.
    • Actively managing and issuing progressive documentation to coach and counsel the employee on performance, with oversight from the operations manager.
    • Reports employee attendance and any hour discrepancies to the payroll department. Oversees break and rest break management for BOH employees.
    • Inspects equipment and performs routine maintenance and cleaning as necessary.
    • Assists the team to ensure all tasks are completed in a timely manner by helping complete daily tasks as necessary.
  • Communicates with the Sous Chef and Food Service Operations Manager(s) in regard to any issues seen with daily service or quality.
  • Works directly with restaurant supervisor(s) to ensure respective locations are operating to standard.
  • Remains knowledgeable of and supervises in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
  • Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
  • Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Job Requirements 

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our General Manager and personnel.
  • Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships with other branch managers.
  • Exceptional problem-solving/decision-making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
  • Demonstrates multi-tasking, detail, analytical, planning and leadership skills.
  • Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
  • An ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat and energetic, takes initiative, uses tact and diplomacy.
  • Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
  • Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
  • Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging 

  • Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units.
  • Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
  • Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary. 
  • Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back.

Previous Experience

  • 1-2 years experience in culinary

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments) 

Compensation and Benefits

  • Eligible for overtime pay.
  • On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
  • Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
  • Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
  • Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
  • Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave.
  • Holiday pay of 1.5Ă— the regular rate is provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
  • Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location. 

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C..  Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA).  Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act.  Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.

SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.

All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").  

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" documentfor more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document. 

We accept applications for this position on a rolling basis. Apply anytime at thessagroup.com. Applications are reviewed as received, and the position remains open until filled.