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Chef Jobs in San Rafael, CA (NOW HIRING)

Hestan Napa

Sous Chef

Napa, CA

$56K - $76K/yr

Led by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Mark Dommen, Hestan Napa serves seasonal California cuisine built on locally sourced ingredients, paired with estate wines from Hestan Vineyards. Every dish is ...

Hestan Napa

Sous Chef

Napa, CA

$70K - $80K/yr

Led by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Mark Dommen, Hestan Napa serves seasonal California cuisine built on locally sourced ingredients, paired with estate wines from Hestan Vineyards. Every dish is ...

EL HONDURAS RESTAURANT

Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating innovative menus and preparing delicious meals for our ...

Homecooking Sm888 Inc

Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$18.07 - $23/hr

Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating innovative menus and preparing delicious meals for our ...

Homecooking Sm888 Inc

Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$18.07 - $23/hr

Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating innovative menus and preparing delicious meals for our ...

EL HONDURAS RESTAURANT

Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating innovative menus and preparing delicious meals for our ...

EL HONDURAS RESTAURANT

Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating innovative menus and preparing delicious meals for our ...

The Bungalow Kitchen

Sous Chef

Belvedere Tiburon, CA · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Executive Sous Chef -> Executive Chef Location : Tiburon, California Pay : $80K - $85k per year Position Overview The Sous Chef is a key leader within the kitchen, responsible for supporting the ...

Homecooking Sm888 Inc

Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$18.07 - $23/hr

Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating innovative menus and preparing delicious meals for our ...

IPOT

Restaurant - Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

As a Kitchen Chef at IPOT.FOOD, you will play a vital role in food preparation, kitchen leadership, and maintaining the highest standards of quality, taste, and presentation. This is a flexible ...

Homecooking Sm888 Inc

Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$18.07 - $23/hr

Career Advancement Opportunities Job Summary We are seeking a talented Chef to join our team. In this role, you'll be responsible for creating innovative menus and preparing delicious meals for our ...

hed11

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

Our kitchen is led by Corporate Chef Piriya "Saint" Boonprasan, and we're looking for a Sous Chef ready to grow with a fast-paced, quality-driven culinary team. The Role As Sous Chef at hed 11, you ...

Songbird Parlour

Sous Chef

Glen Ellen, CA

$36.06 - $38.46/hr

About Us Songbird Parlour, part of the award-winning Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering, is a posh, farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of Sonoma Valley. As Sonoma County's first-ever ...

SAAM

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA

$58K - $79K/yr

Sous Chef SAAM is seeking an experienced and passionate Sous Chef to join our culinary team in San Francisco. We are specifically looking for someone with strong professional experience in Thai ...

Onsen

Executive Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

We are seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary direction of the restaurant while helping shape the next chapter of Onsen's growth. This is a hands on leadership role for a chef who enjoys ...

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Chef information

See San Rafael, CA salary details

$11

$27

$49

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in San Rafael, CA is $27.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $34.57 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.
More about Chef jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in San Rafael, CA? The most popular types of Chef jobs in San Rafael, CA are:
What job categories do people searching Chef jobs in San Rafael, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Chef jobs in San Rafael, CA are:
What cities near San Rafael, CA are hiring for Chef jobs? Cities near San Rafael, CA with the most Chef job openings:
Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef job openings in San Rafael, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,101 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Sous Chef - Hotel - San Francisco, CA

the Chef Agency

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Location - San Francisco, CA
Salary - $75K - $80K
Benefits - M/D/V 401K, Pet Insurance, PTO, Parking
Upscale hotel is looking for a talented Sous Chef to join the culinary team to enhance the culinary offering.
Qualifications
  • Culinary degree or equivalent experience.
  • Proven experience in a similar role within the culinary field.
  • Strong knowledge of various cooking techniques and cuisines.
  • Leadership and mentoring skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with the Head Chef in creating and updating menu items.
  • Contribute innovative ideas for new dishes and special features.
  • Assist in costing recipes and maintaining menu profitability.
  • Supervise and coordinate kitchen staff in the absence of the Head Chef.
  • Train and mentor culinary team members, ensuring proper skill development.
  • Oversee daily kitchen operations to maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety
Chef Agency logo

About Chef Agency

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

THE MOST TALENTED RECRUITING TEAM IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. With our support, you’ll have exclusive access to top-tier clients, a robust candidate database, insight from industry experts, and the necessary training and tools needed to build your book of business. Reach out today, and create your own work-life balance while achieving success in the recruiting world.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

2013

Social media

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