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Contract Chef Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Harper Associates

District Chef

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$120K/yr

District Chef | Regional Culinary Leader Leadership Level: Director / Executive Leadership ... Corporate Dining & Contract Foodservice * Large Hotels & Convention Centers * Banquet & Catering ...

Harper Associates

District Chef

Cincinnati, OH

$120K/yr

District Chef | Regional Culinary Leader Leadership Level: Director / Executive Leadership ... Corporate Dining & Contract Foodservice * Large Hotels & Convention Centers * Banquet & Catering ...

Upper Crust Food Service, LLC

Field Sous Chef

Columbus, OH · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

The Field Sous Chef is a campus-wide culinary role designed to provide agile daily coverage across ... Support new house onboarding during the first weeks of service on a new campus contract. * Execute ...

Upper Crust Food Service

Field Sous Chef

Columbus, OH · On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

The Field Sous Chef is a campus-wide culinary role designed to provide agile daily coverage across ... Support new house onboarding during the first weeks of service on a new campus contract. * Execute ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Sous Chef Salary: $55,000 to $65,000 Our Passion is Food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are ... We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Sous Chef Salary: $55,000 to $65,000 Our Passion is Food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are ... We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ...

Bon Appetit

Sous Chef

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Sous Chef Salary: $55,000 to $65,000 Our Passion is Food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are ... We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ...

Compass Group

Executive Sous Chef

Cleveland, OH

$65K - $85K/yr

Executive Sous Chef Salary: $65,000 to $85,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion is Food! At ... We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ...

Compass Group

Executive Sous Chef

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Executive Sous Chef Salary: $65,000 to $85,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion is Food! At ... We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ...

Compass Group

Executive Sous Chef

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Executive Sous Chef Salary: $65,000 to $85,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion is Food! At ... We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ...

Bon Appetit

Executive Sous Chef

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Executive Sous Chef Salary: $65,000 to $85,000 Other Forms of Compensation: Our Passion is Food! At ... We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the ...

Eurest

CHEF MANAGER - MONTGOMERY, OH

Montgomery, OH · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

CHEF MANAGER - MONTGOMERY, OH Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 As the leader in business and industry ... Knowledge of P&L accountability and contract-managed service experience is desirable * Proficient ...

Compass Group

CHEF MANAGER - MONTGOMERY, OH

Montgomery, OH · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

CHEF MANAGER - MONTGOMERY, OH Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 As the leader in business and industry ... Knowledge of P&L accountability and contract-managed service experience is desirable * Proficient ...

Compass Group

CHEF MANAGER - MONTGOMERY, OH

Montgomery, OH · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

CHEF MANAGER - MONTGOMERY, OH Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 As the leader in business and industry ... Knowledge of P&L accountability and contract-managed service experience is desirable * Proficient ...

Compass Group

CHEF MANAGER - MONTGOMERY, OH

Montgomery, OH · On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

CHEF MANAGER - MONTGOMERY, OH Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 As the leader in business and industry ... Knowledge of P&L accountability and contract-managed service experience is desirable * Proficient ...

Judson

Executive Chef

Cleveland, OH · On-site

$28 - $32/hr

Executive Chef Location: Judson Manor Department: Dining Services FLSA: Exempt Reports to: Director ... Have a working knowledge of the union contract * Work in concert with the rest of the Management ...

CocuSocial

Recreational Chef Instructor

Columbus, OH · On-site

Job Types: Part-time, Contract Benefits: * Flexible schedule * Referral program Work Location: In person Qualifications Prior experience as a culinary instructor or chef in a professional kitchen.

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Chef JobsContract Chef Jobs in Ohio

Contract Chef information

See Ohio salary details

$9

$23

$42

How much do contract chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract chef in Ohio is $23.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.01 and $29.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract chef?

A Contract Chef is a culinary professional hired on a temporary or project basis to provide cooking services for restaurants, catering companies, private clients, or events. They may work short-term assignments or long-term contracts, depending on the needs of the employer. Contract Chefs are responsible for menu planning, food preparation, and ensuring high-quality meals while adapting to different kitchen environments. This role offers flexibility and variety, making it ideal for chefs who enjoy diverse work experiences.

What are the typical work assignments and environments for contract chefs?

Contract Chefs often work on short-term assignments ranging from private events and corporate dining to temporary placements at restaurants, catering companies, or remote sites. Each assignment can present unique kitchen setups, menus, and team dynamics, which makes adaptability essential. You may work autonomously or alongside an existing culinary staff, depending on client needs and assignment scale. This role provides exposure to a variety of cuisines and operational styles, offering valuable experience and networking opportunities for future culinary advancement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract chef?

To thrive as a Contract Chef, you need advanced culinary skills, menu planning expertise, and experience in various cuisines, usually backed by a culinary degree or relevant apprenticeship. Familiarity with kitchen management software, food safety certifications (such as ServSafe), and inventory systems is important. Excellent communication, flexibility, and problem-solving abilities are soft skills that distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies ensure a Contract Chef can efficiently adapt to different client needs, lead kitchen teams, and consistently deliver high-quality meals in diverse environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in Ohio?

The most popular types of Chef jobs in Ohio are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Chef jobs in Ohio?

For Contract Chef jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Chef jobs in Ohio look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Chef jobs in Ohio are:

What cities in Ohio are hiring for Contract Chef jobs?

Cities in Ohio with the most Contract Chef job openings:

Contract Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Chef job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,699 per year, or $23.4 per hour.

District Chef

Harper Associates

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

$120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

District Chef | Regional Culinary Leader
Leadership Level: Director / Executive Leadership
Cincinnati, Ohio Based
Primarily Monday to Friday Schedule | No Late Nights
Approximately 30% Regional Travel
Salary: Up to $120K Base + 30% Bonus + Car Allowance
Search Conducted by Harper Associates
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced District Chef / Regional Culinary Leader to oversee culinary operations across multiple locations throughout the Cincinnati market.
This role is ideal for an accomplished Regional Executive Chef, Corporate Chef, or Multi-Unit Culinary Leader who thrives in large-scale, high-end culinary environments and is passionate about developing teams, elevating culinary standards, and driving innovation across multiple locations.
As District Chef, you will provide strategic culinary leadership, operational oversight, and hands-on coaching while ensuring consistency, food quality, safety, and financial performance across the region.
Ideal backgrounds include culinary leadership experience within luxury hotels or upscale multi-unit hospitality organizations.
Why Culinary Leaders Pursue This Role
  • Regional culinary leadership position with broad operational impact
  • Opportunity to mentor and develop chefs across multiple locations
  • Blend of strategy, training, and hands-on culinary leadership
  • High-visibility role within a leading foodservice organization
  • Career pathway toward Regional Executive Chef or Corporate Culinary leadership
  • Dynamic role combining culinary creativity with operational leadership

Key Responsibilities
  • Provide culinary leadership across the Cincinnati market, including approximately 30% travel between locations
  • Deliver training, operational oversight, and hands-on culinary support across multiple corporate dining accounts
  • Teach, mentor, and develop Executive Chefs and culinary teams
  • Drive culinary innovation and continuous improvement across all accounts
  • Support chefs in managing food cost controls, purchasing, and inventory management
  • Standardize recipes, production methods, and culinary execution across locations
  • Lead menu planning and culinary program development
  • Roll out new culinary initiatives in collaboration with company marketing and culinary leadership
  • Elevate culinary skill levels and operational performance throughout the region
  • Implement training programs ensuring consistent, high-quality food production
  • Develop strategies that enhance guest experience and client satisfaction
  • Ensure strict compliance with food safety, sanitation, and regulatory standards

Preferred Qualifications
  • Culinary degree preferred
  • Minimum 5+ years of multi culinary management experience
  • At least 2 years of multi-site or regional culinary leadership experience
  • Background in high-volume production, banquet operations, conference centers, corporate dining, hotels, or large-scale foodservice
  • Proven success managing food cost controls and operational expenditures
  • Strong experience in culinary training, coaching, and leadership development
  • Ability to scale recipes, systems, and operational standards across multiple locations
  • Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
  • Passion for mentoring chefs and developing high-performing culinary teams
  • Desire to grow within a leading foodservice organization

Ideal Backgrounds Include:
Leadership experience within:
  • Corporate Dining & Contract Foodservice
  • Large Hotels & Convention Centers
  • Banquet & Catering Operations
  • Healthcare or Campus Dining
  • Multi-Unit Foodservice Organizations

Apply
Apply directly here or submit your resume confidentially to kevin@harperjobs.com.
Kevin Swanquist
Executive Recruiter | Harper Associates
kevin@harperjobs.com
www.harperjobs.com
248-737-0222

Apply