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Chef Jobs in Waukee, IA (NOW HIRING)

CommonSail Investment Group

Executive Chef

Waukee, IA · On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Executive Chef StoryPoint of Kettlestone Position Summary: The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities ...

StoryPoint

Executive Chef

Waukee, IA

$68K - $94K/yr

Executive Chef StoryPoint of Kettlestone Position Summary: The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities ...

Laurus Home Care

Executive Chef

Waukee, IA · On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Executive Chef StoryPoint of Kettlestone Position Summary: The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities ...

Tri Delta

Chef

Indianola, IA · On-site

$25 - $27/hr

The Delta chapter of Tri Delta at Simpson College is seeking a Chef who will plan and prepare all meals provided at the chapter facility while maintaining and operating a clean, sanitary and safe ...

Renaissance Des Moines

Executive Chef

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$69K - $96K/yr

What will be expected of you as an Executive Chef: Schedule all associates adhering to labor standards guidelines and maintain adequate staffing levels. Supervise all cooking operations including ...

Fleming's

Sous Chef

West Des Moines, IA

$45K - $62K/yr

As a successful Sous Chef, you will be the key to fulfilling our promise to make every guest visit a memorable celebration of food, wine, and personalized service. Ensuring that Fleming's is an ...

G & G Hospitality LLC

Chef

Ames, IA

* Prepare fresh ingredients for cooking according to recipes/menu * Cook food and prepare top-quality menu items in a timely manner * Test foods to ensure proper preparation and temperature * Operate ...

Eurest

EXECUTIVE CHEF - WEST DES MOINES

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$70K - $96K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs, and in-unit associates excel as they deliver world-class meals in corporate cafes and executive ...

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Chef information

See Waukee, IA salary details

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$23

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How much do chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for chef in Waukee, IA is $23.62, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $29.76 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 Waukee, IA? The most popular types of Chef jobs in Waukee, IA are:
What cities near Waukee, IA are hiring for Chef jobs? Cities near Waukee, IA with the most Chef job openings:
Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chef job openings in Waukee, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,125 per year, or $23.6 per hour.

Executive Chef

CommonSail Investment Group

Waukee, IA • On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Executive Chef
StoryPoint of Kettlestone
Position Summary:
The Executive Chef is responsible for the successful management of all aspects of the culinary and dining department. Responsibilities include retail sales, special events planning, food costs and inventory control, safety and sanitation, and maintaining excellent resident, customer and employee satisfaction.
Required Experience for Executive Chef:
  • Bachelor's degree or related culinary degree.
  • Certified Executive Chef preferred.
  • Minimum four years of industry and culinary management experience.
  • Upscale dining experience required.
  • Must demonstrates proven leadership abilities, commitment to customer service, and strong organization and time management skills.
  • Must have previous experience and proficient with menu development and pricing.
  • Must have experience in all Microsoft Office applications required.
  • Culinary labor, food and small ware financial management experience required.

Primary Responsibilities for Job Executive Chef:
  • Achieve 100% resident satisfaction through plate presentation and taste. The Executive Chef circulates dining rooms at meal times daily for resident feedback.
  • Establish presentation techniques and ensure quality standards.
  • Hire, coach, train, inspire and direct culinary staff. Maintain proper scheduling, employee reviews.
  • Develop Sous Chef and Lead Cook to take on additional leadership and management duties.
  • Directly responsible for food control, labor costs, menu engineering, recipe creation and standardization of recipe production to ensure consistency.
  • Ensure proper equipment operation/maintenance, proper safety and sanitation policies for followed in the work areas.
  • Oversee special catering events and offer culinary instruction and/or demonstrate culinary techniques.
  • Consistently maintains a positive attitude, which supports a team environment. Promotes positive public relations with residents, family members and guests.
  • Function as Manager on Duty as scheduled with site leadership team

General Working Conditions:
This position entails standing for long periods of time. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to communicate effectively with others, sit, stand, walk and use hands to handle keyboard, telephone, paper, files, and other equipment and objects. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to review detailed documents and read computer screens. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The work environment requires appropriate interaction with others. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. Occasional travel to different locations may be required.
Connecting Seniors, Families and Communities
For over 37 years, our senior living communities have served seniors and their families across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Tennessee, with each location offering unique services including independent, enhanced, and assisted living, as well as memory care and rehabilitation and skilled nursing. Through forming authentic connections and committing to creating the absolute best experiences each day for our residents and their families, we've created a special culture within our communities that allows our employees to do their best work and our residents to shine every day.
Not Just Making Every Day Great. Making Every Minute Great. There are 1,440 minutes in every single day. We aspire to make each one of them an exceptional moment. This philosophy is supported by our 6 powerful, yet simple pillars: Dream Big, Have Courage, Take Initiative, Be Accountable, Give Back & Enjoy it. We strive to fulfill the aspirational yet unattainable goal of creating the absolute best experience with every person, in every interaction, every minute of every day.
It begins with empowering our employees. Every employee, at every level of the company, is expected to perform like a leader. Everyone is encouraged and expected to put the needs of each other above everything else. No one here just "does their job" The mission is to create the absolute best experiences. This emphasis on putting people first has helped us successfully grow for the right reasons.
We have developed an environment that attracts dreamers, adventurers, creators, givers and believers to seek career opportunities with us. We find people who believe that true happiness is only found in the service of others. We want high-performers with diverse skill-sets and big hearts. We treat each other as family and find that close collaboration creates the biggest ideas.
If you love serving others, and are looking for an opportunity to thrive, CommonSail Investment Group and our businesses is your destination.
This classification description is intended to indicate the general kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that are required of positions given this title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of the employees under her/his supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.
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