ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Chef Jobs in Waterville, ME (NOW HIRING)

Camp Manitou

Executive Chef

Oakland, ME

$71K - $98K/yr

The executive chef for Camp Manitou is a culinary trained professional responsible for the overall management of the kitchen, including camp and crew meals, provisioning, food safety, maintaining ...

Eatn Park Hospitality Group

Sous Chef

Waterville, ME

$49K - $67K/yr

Sous Chef - Parkhurst Dining Are you looking for a values-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow? Do you want to join a fun, supportive team where you can build lifelong ...

Eatn Park Hospitality Group

Sous Chef

Waterville, ME

$49K - $67K/yr

Sous Chef - Parkhurst Dining Are you looking for a values-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow? Do you want to join a fun, supportive team where you can build lifelong ...

Eatn Park Hospitality Group

Sous Chef

Waterville, ME · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Sous Chef - Parkhurst Dining Are you looking for a values-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow? Do you want to join a fun, supportive team where you can build lifelong ...

Eatn Park Hospitality Group

Sous Chef

Waterville, ME

$49K - $67K/yr

Sous Chef - Parkhurst Dining Are you looking for a values-driven environment with opportunities to learn and grow? Do you want to join a fun, supportive team where you can build lifelong ...

Charlestowne Hotels

Sous Chef

Waterville, ME

$49K - $67K/yr

The Sous Chef is responsible for assisting the Executive Chefand/or Food & Beverage Director to ensure high levels of food quality are maintained while achieving anticipated food and beverage revenue ...

Lockwood Hotel

Sous Chef

Waterville, ME · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

The Sous Chef is responsible for assisting the Executive Chefand/or Food & Beverage Director to ensure high levels of food quality are maintained while achieving anticipated food and beverage revenue ...

The Ridge RTC

Chef - Residential Treatment

South China, ME · On-site

$21 - $24/hr

Job Summary Paradigm Treatment Centers and Ridge RTC are seeking a skilled and dependable Chef to support our residential treatment programs. This role is responsible for planning, preparing, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsChef JobsChef Jobs in Waterville, ME

Chef information

See Waterville, ME salary details

$10

$24

$44

How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Waterville, ME is $24.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $30.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much is a chef's salary?

The average salary for a chef varies depending on experience, location, and establishment type, but typically ranges from $25,000 to $60,000 annually. Executive chefs and those with specialized skills or working in high-end restaurants can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $80,000 per year.

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 is the highest paying job as a chef?

Executive chefs, especially those managing large or high-end establishments, tend to have the highest salaries among chefs, with some earning over $100,000 annually. Specialized roles such as culinary directors or chefs in luxury hotels and resorts often command higher pay due to experience, reputation, and leadership responsibilities.

What other jobs can I do as a chef?

Chefs can transition into roles such as restaurant managers, food service directors, culinary instructors, food critics, or catering managers. These positions often require similar skills in food preparation, management, and customer service, and may benefit from certifications like ServSafe or culinary degrees.

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.

Is chef high salary?

Chefs can earn a wide range of salaries depending on experience, location, and establishment type. Executive chefs and those working in high-end restaurants or hotels tend to have higher salaries, often supplemented with tips and bonuses. Entry-level chefs typically earn less, while specialized skills and certifications can lead to increased earnings.
More about Chef jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Waterville, ME? The most popular types of Chef jobs in Waterville, ME are:
What are popular job titles related to Chef jobs in Waterville, ME? For Chef jobs in Waterville, ME, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Chef jobs in Waterville, ME look for? The top searched job categories for Chef jobs in Waterville, ME are:
What cities near Waterville, ME are hiring for Chef jobs? Cities near Waterville, ME with the most Chef job openings:
Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Waterville, ME as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $51,129 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Executive Chef

Camp Manitou

Oakland, ME

$71K - $98K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Looking for a change or challenge? How about working in beautiful Maine along the lake in a gorgeous camp setting?

The executive chef for Camp Manitou is a culinary trained professional responsible for the overall management of the kitchen, including camp and crew meals, provisioning, food safety, maintaining strict hygiene standards, and covid-19 guidelines. The executive chef will work in conjunction with the Director of Culinary to provide amazing and varietal foods to campers and staff. A successful candidate for this position will have excellent references, experience provisioning in various regions of the world, and a good understanding of maintaining a budget effectively. This role requires strong communication/presentation skills, the ability to thoroughly understand camper and staff preferences, extensive food and nutrition knowledge, creative menu planning, an artistic flair, and at least five years in the capacity of Head Chef with HIGH VOLUME experience. This is not your normal camp food. Camp Manitou offers a culinary diversity that appeals to our campers and staff from all over the world.


Employment Type: Temp/Seasonal
Bonus/Commission: No