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Chef Jobs in Salem, OR (NOW HIRING)

Courthouse Club Fitness

Performance Chef

Salem, OR · On-site

Performance Chef Job Type: Full-Time Reports To: Senior Director of Nutrition Position Overview The Performance Chef serves as the culinary leader of the Nutrition division and is responsible for ...

Courthouse Club Fitness

Performance Chef

Salem, OR · On-site

Performance Chef Job Type: Full-Time Reports To: Senior Director of Nutrition Position Overview The Performance Chef serves as the culinary leader of the Nutrition division and is responsible for ...

Allison Inn & Spa

Executive Chef

Newberg, OR · On-site

$130K/yr

Duties and Responsibilities The Executive Chef is responsible for all culinary activities for the restaurant, banquets, room service, spa food and off-site events. This position will oversee all ...

Allison Inn & Spa

Executive Chef

Newberg, OR · On-site

$130K/yr

Duties and Responsibilities The Executive Chef is responsible for all culinary activities for the restaurant, banquets, room service, spa food and off-site events. This position will oversee all ...

chi

Executive Chef | The Allison Inn & Spa

Newberg, OR · On-site

$75K - $103K/yr

Executive Chef | The Allison Inn & Spa The Allison Inn & Spa is Oregon Wine Country's first full service luxury resort in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Meetings & Events at The Allison Inn ...

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Executive Chef | The Allison Inn & Spa

Newberg, OR

$75K - $103K/yr

Executive Chef | The Allison Inn & Spa The Allison Inn & Spa is Oregon Wine Country's first full service luxury resort in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Meetings & Events at The Allison Inn ...

Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.

Sous Chef

Newberg, OR · On-site

$52K - $70K/yr

Assists the chef with overseeing the day to day operation of the kitchen and maintaining the highest quality food products and service. Oversees kitchen cleanliness in accordance with sanitation and ...

New

Bridgeway Community Health - Jobs

Line Chef

Salem, OR · On-site

$24.27 - $28.13/hr

Bridgeway Community Health is currently seeking qualified Line Chef to join our expanding culinary team! Come join our elite team of professionals who all have a passion for seeing lives changed and ...

Ready Chef Llc

Prep Cook

Keizer, OR · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

The successful candidate will assist the Head Chef in preparing ingredients, cooking and par-cooking dishes, and maintaining a clean and organized kitchen. Responsibilities: * Completing all tasks on ...

Ready Chef Llc

Prep Cook

Keizer, OR · On-site

$15 - $18/hr

The successful candidate will assist the Head Chef in preparing ingredients, cooking and par-cooking dishes, and maintaining a clean and organized kitchen. Responsibilities: * Completing all tasks on ...

Bridgeway Community Health - Jobs

Line Chef

Salem, OR · On-site

$24.27 - $28.13/hr

Primary PurposePrepares and cooks individual menu items for volume dining. under the leadership of the Executive Chef. Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesCoordinates and prepares breakfast, lunch ...

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Chef information

See Salem, OR salary details

$10

$24

$44

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Salem, OR is $24.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $31.15 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 Salem, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Salem, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,491 per year, or $24.8 per hour.

Performance Chef

Courthouse Club Fitness

Salem, OR • On-site

Full-time

Medical

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Performance Chef
Job Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Senior Director of Nutrition
Position Overview
The Performance Chef serves as the culinary leader of the Nutrition division and is responsible for developing the food vision, menu strategy, nutrition philosophy, and public voice of the Courthouse and Little Lois Nutrition ecosystem.
This role bridges culinary excellence, performance nutrition, hospitality, and community engagement. The Performance Chef develops the products, meals, and experiences that define the Nutrition brand, working closely with the Director of Nutrition Operations and the Director of Nutrition Staffing to ensure those ideas are executed consistently and scaled across the organization.
The ideal candidate understands the connection between food, performance, recovery, body composition, energy, longevity, and daily lifestyle habits. They are passionate about creating food that is both nutritious and genuinely craveable.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Leadership
  • Lead the culinary vision for the Nutrition division.
  • Develop menu strategies across catering, cafés, meal programs, and future nutrition initiatives.
  • Create performance-focused meals and offerings.
  • Design products that support health, recovery, longevity, and active lifestyles.
  • Maintain culinary standards across all Nutrition operations.

Menu Development & Innovation
  • Develop macro-conscious meal offerings for athletes, members, families, and the broader community.
  • Create seasonal menus and new product launches.
  • Improve recipes for nutrition, consistency, and profitability.
  • Identify food trends and emerging opportunities.
  • Support the growth of catering, meal programs, and Coffeebar offerings.

Nutrition Brand Development
  • Help build a recognizable and trusted Nutrition brand.
  • Collaborate on the long-term vision of Nutrition within Courthouse and Little Lois.
  • Ensure food offerings align with the organization's nutrition philosophy.
  • Support member education through food, hospitality, and programming.

Community Engagement & Storytelling
  • Serve as a public-facing culinary leader for the Nutrition division.
  • Lead communication around food, nutrition, performance, and healthy living.
  • Participate in video content, podcasts, interviews, social media, and community outreach.
  • Help develop the Seeking Healthy content initiative.
  • Break down the science of nutrition, macros, and balanced eating in ways people can understand and apply.

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner with the Director of Nutrition Operations on production systems, commissary execution, food costs, quality control, and scalability.
  • Partner with the Director of Nutrition Staffing on training, food knowledge, service standards, and team development.
  • Collaborate with Courthouse leadership on future wellness, nutrition, and hospitality initiatives.

Qualifications
  • Executive Chef, Culinary Director, or comparable leadership experience.
  • Strong understanding of nutrition, performance nutrition, recovery nutrition, and healthy food systems.
  • Experience with menu development and food production.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to inspire teams and influence organizational culture.

Preferred Skills
  • Sports nutrition certification or related education.
  • Experience working with athletes, fitness organizations, or wellness brands.
  • Healthy meal-prep or commissary production experience.
  • Media, public speaking, or content creation experience.
  • Passion for health, fitness, hospitality, and community engagement.

Benefits
  • Competitive compensation
  • Complimentary Courthouse Club Fitness membership plus discounts on services
  • Healthcare benefits (based on eligibility qualifications)
  • Opportunities for growth within the Courthouse team
  • Supportive, community-driven work environment
  • Access to five club locations across the Salem and Keizer area

Apply