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Contract Cook Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

ITW Hobart Service

Service Technician II

Birmingham, AL · On-site

The company's products include ware washing equipment; cooking equipment, including ovens, ranges ... Maintain, diagnose, and repair basic mechanical commercial food equipment for customers on contract ...

Bella Italia

Chef

Birmingham, AL

Flexible Working - Negotiable contracts to suityour lifestyle. * Referral Bonus - Get rewarded for ... From prepping fresh ingredients to cooking dishes our guests love, you'll play a key role in ...

New

Bella Italia Birmingham

Chef

Birmingham, AL · On-site

Flexible Working - Negotiable contracts to suityour lifestyle. * Referral Bonus - Get rewarded for ... From prepping fresh ingredients to cooking dishes our guests love, you'll play a key role in ...

New

Southern Foodservice Management Inc

Chef

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

Provides guidance to kitchen team members regarding food preparation, cooking, and presentation ... Culinary degree or equivalent training * 2+ years' experience as a Chef in contract foodservice or ...

Cinemark Holdings

$10.25 - $13.50/hr

Prepares food and properly operates cooking, warming, and popping equipment * Consistently wipes ... binding contract. Cinemark reserves the right to amend, change or terminate the , as it deems ...

She Recruits LLC

Primary Care Physician

Mobile, AL · On-site

$250K/yr

... contracts with Uber and Lyft. Key Responsibilities: * Deliver comprehensive primary care with a ... Engage in community activities like chair yoga, cooking classes, Silver Sneakers, birthday parties ...

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All JobsContract Cook JobsContract Cook Jobs in Alabama

Contract Cook information

See Alabama salary details

$8

$14

$20

How much do contract cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract cook in Alabama is $14.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.21 and $16.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does working as a contract cook differ from a permanent kitchen position in terms of daily responsibilities and work environment?

As a contract cook, you'll often work in a variety of kitchens and settings, from corporate cafeterias to catering events, which means your daily responsibilities can change frequently. Unlike permanent roles, you may need to quickly adapt to different menus, kitchen teams, and management styles, making flexibility and strong communication skills essential. The work environment is typically fast-paced and can sometimes involve unfamiliar equipment or workflows. This variety can be rewarding and offers opportunities to expand your culinary skills, but it may also require extra effort to adjust rapidly and establish rapport with new colleagues.

What is a contract cook?

Contract cooks are culinary professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to prepare meals in various settings, such as corporate cafeterias, schools, hospitals, or private events. Unlike full-time staff, contract cooks work for a specific duration or for the length of a particular contract, often through staffing agencies or catering companies. Their responsibilities include menu planning, food preparation, cooking, and maintaining kitchen safety and sanitation standards. Contract cooks provide flexibility for employers who need additional staff during busy periods or special events. This role is ideal for experienced cooks seeking variety in their work environments.

What is the difference between Contract Cook vs Full-Time Cook?

AspectContract CookFull-Time Cook
CredentialsFood Handler’s Permit, Culinary Certification (if required)Food Handler’s Permit, Culinary Certification (if required)
Work EnvironmentTemporary assignments, varied locationsPermanent employment, consistent location
Employment TypeShort-term, project-basedLong-term, salaried or hourly
Industry UsageEvent catering, hospitality, temporary kitchensRestaurants, hotels, institutional kitchens

Contract Cooks typically work on short-term assignments in various locations, often for events or temporary projects, and usually hold similar certifications as full-time cooks. Full-Time Cooks are employed permanently in a single establishment, providing consistent service. Both roles require culinary skills and certifications, but differ mainly in employment duration and work setting.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cook jobs in Alabama? The most popular types of Cook jobs in Alabama are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Cook jobs in Alabama? For Contract Cook jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Cook jobs in Alabama look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Cook jobs in Alabama are:
What cities in Alabama are hiring for Contract Cook jobs? Cities in Alabama with the most Contract Cook job openings:
Contract Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Cook job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $30,219 per year, or $14.5 per hour.

Sous Chef - University of Alabama

Compass Group

Tuscaloosa, AL • On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,088 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

337th of 482 rated business services

Job description

Salary:  $55,000 - $65,000 / year

Our Passion is Food!
At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

The University of Alabama is seeking a talented and motivated Sous Chef to support the daily culinary operations of a dynamic and fast-paced campus dining program. This position plays a key role in delivering exceptional food quality, ensuring operational excellence, and creating a positive dining experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Working closely with the Executive Chef, the Sous Chef will assist in overseeing kitchen operations, supervising culinary team members, supporting menu development, and ensuring food is prepared and presented to the highest standards. This is an outstanding opportunity for a culinary professional who thrives in a high-volume environment and enjoys mentoring teams while remaining actively involved in day-to-day food production.

 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist the Executive Chef in overseeing daily kitchen operations, food production, and culinary staff performance.
  • Supervise, train, and develop hourly culinary associates while promoting a culture of teamwork, safety, and accountability.
  • Prepare and oversee the preparation of high-quality menu items for residential dining, retail concepts, and special events.
  • Support menu planning, recipe development, and seasonal menu enhancements that align with student preferences and operational goals.
  • Execute catering and campus events, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and service.
  • Monitor food quality, consistency, portion control, and presentation standards.
  • Assist with inventory management, purchasing, receiving, and product rotation to maintain efficient kitchen operations.
  • Support food cost management initiatives and help control labor and operating expenses.
  • Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and HACCP standards.
  • Assist with the implementation of new culinary programs, concepts, and campus dining initiatives.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment while fostering a positive team culture.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
  • Progressive culinary experience in high-volume foodservice, college and university dining, healthcare, hospitality, restaurant, or catering environments.
  • Experience supervising and developing culinary teams.
  • Strong background in batch cooking, production cooking, and large-scale food preparation.
  • Catering experience and the ability to execute multiple events simultaneously preferred.
  • Knowledge of current culinary trends, food presentation, menu development, and student dining preferences.
  • Strong understanding of food cost controls, inventory management, and labor management practices.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other foodservice management systems.
  • Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
  • ServSafe Certification preferred.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and special campus events as needed.

 

What You'll Bring:

The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader who enjoys working in a collaborative campus environment. They are passionate about food, committed to developing team members, and capable of delivering outstanding dining experiences in a high-volume operation while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and guest satisfaction.

Apply to Bon Appetit today!

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:  1556057

Bon Appetit 

Mehdi Mohammed 

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