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Contract Cook Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Concordia College at Moorhead

Cook

Moorhead, MN

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

The Cook prepares food throughvarious methods of baking, frying, broiling, grilling, etc. using ... Prepare food for residential dining, catering, and contract customers and other events according to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Forest Lake, MN · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Cook Location: Forest Lake MN Experiences Cooks needed! Daily Pay Available! We are seeking a cook ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon

Cook

Forest Lake, MN · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Cook Location: Forest Lake MN Experiences Cooks needed! Daily Pay Available! We are seeking a cook ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

We are seeking a cook to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon

Cook

Buffalo, MN · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

Cook Location: Buffalo, MN Area What Makes This Location Special- Great hours, no late night, no ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon

Cook

Onamia, MN · On-site

$17 - $19/hr

Cook Location: Onamia, just outside of Mille Lacs What Makes This Location Special- Great co ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Buffalo, MN · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

Cook Location: Buffalo, MN Area What Makes This Location Special- Great hours, no late night, no ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Buffalo, MN · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Cook Location: Buffalo, MN What Makes This Location Special- No late night, great team, creative ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon

Cook

Buffalo, MN · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Cook Location: Buffalo, MN What Makes This Location Special- No late night, great team, creative ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon

Cook

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

We are seeking a cook to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Onamia, MN

$17 - $19/hr

Cook Location: Onamia, just outside of Mille Lacs What Makes This Location Special- Great co ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Minneapolis, MN

$18.50 - $20/hr

Cook Cook Location: Plymouth, MN What Makes This Location Special- This location NO LATE nights ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon

Cook

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$18.50 - $20/hr

Cook Location: Plymouth, MN What Makes This Location Special- This location NO LATE nights ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$18.50 - $20/hr

Cook Location: Plymouth, MN What Makes This Location Special- This location NO LATE nights ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

Concordia College

Cook

Moorhead, MN · On-site

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

Cook Position Type: Staff Location: Moorhead Employment Type: Hourly Non-Exempt Benefit Eligible ... Prepare food for residential dining, catering, and contract customers and other events according to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Minneapolis, MN

$19 - $23/hr

Cook Cook- Skilled Nursing Facility (IDDSI Experience Preferred) Location: Lakehouse Healthcare and ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon Foods

Cook

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$19 - $23/hr

Cook- Skilled Nursing Facility (IDDSI Experience Preferred) Location: Lakehouse Healthcare and ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon

Cook

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$19 - $23/hr

Cook- Skilled Nursing Facility (IDDSI Experience Preferred) Location: Lakehouse Healthcare and ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New

New Horizon Foods

Cook/Server

Fergus Falls, MN

$18.50 - $20/hr

Cook/Server Location: Fergus Falls, MN What Makes This Location Special- This is a fun opportunity ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

New Horizon

PT Cook

Waconia, MN · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Experience in cooking and kitchen tasks is required for this position ... New Horizon Foods is a dining contract company that specializes in providing services tailored to ...

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All JobsContract Cook JobsContract Cook Jobs in Minnesota

Contract Cook information

See Minnesota salary details

$8

$15

$21

How much do contract cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract cook in Minnesota is $15.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.17 and $17.64 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 Minnesota? The most popular types of Cook jobs in Minnesota are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Cook jobs in Minnesota? For Contract Cook jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Cook jobs in Minnesota look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Cook jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Contract Cook jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Contract Cook job openings:
Contract Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Cook job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 68% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,653 per year, or $15.7 per hour.

Cook

Concordia College at Moorhead

Moorhead, MN

$13.75 - $18.50/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 14 hours ago

Job description

About the Role

The primary responsibility of this position isto work as a team member in the daily production requirements for the diningcenter, catering, and contract services in Dining Services and ensure thehighest level of service for all customers. The Cook prepares food throughvarious methods of baking, frying, broiling, grilling, etc. using industrialkitchen equipment. The Cook is also responsible for maintaining adequate foodlevels during service times, maintaining quality food standards, food safetyand sanitation, cleaning kitchen equipment and work areas, and providing highquality customer service through face-to-face interaction with our guests. The Cookalso supervises student cooks helpers and works to keep work areas andequipment clean and maintained. The Cook keeps accurate production records.

What You'll Do

  1. Support the mission and vision of Concordia College and demonstrate the competencies as defined for this position.
  2. Production 
    1. Prepare food for residential dining, catering, and contract customers and other events according to standardized recipes as directed by the Lead Culinary Supervisor.
    2. Maintain quality standards in food handling and preparation.
    3. Maintain standards of sanitation and safety as established by local, state and federal health officials.
    4. Maintain cost awareness in preparation and storage of all products with an emphasis on minimizing waste.
    5. Assist with testing and standardizing new recipes.
  3. Supervision of Student Employees 
    1. Provide training and guidance to student cooks helpers in the production of food.
    2. Ensure that student cooks helpers maintain standards of safety and sanitation in food handling.
  4. Cleaning and Maintenance 
    1. Maintain equipment and work areas in neat, clean and orderly conditions.
    2. Perform routine preventative maintenance on designated equipment.
    3. Report equipment repairs promptly as needed.
  5. Record Keeping
    1. Complete service summary reports following each meal.
    2. Submit recipe adjustments as needed.
  6. Other duties as assigned
  7. Attend planning meetings and perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

Theideal candidate is a team-oriented culinary professional who enjoys working ina fast-paced environment and takes pride in preparing high-quality food anddelivering exceptional customer service. They bring large-volume cookingexperience, strong attention to food safety and sanitation standards, and theability to stay organized while balancing changing priorities. This individualis dependable, takes initiative, works collaboratively with a diverse team, andcan effectively guide and support student employees while maintaining apositive and service-focused approach.                  

Why Concordia?

If you love the hospitality industry butvalue work/life balance, Concordia offers a unique opportunity to build arewarding career in a respectful and supportive environment. Enjoy consistentschedules with no late nights; affordable health, dental, and vision insurancewith excellent coverage; tuition waivers for employees, spouses, and eligiblechildren; generous Planned Time Off that begins accruing on day one; 13 paidholidays per year; and more. 

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