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Contract Cooking Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants

Cook - Applebee's

Lansing, MI · On-site

$12.50 - $16.75/hr

Understanding of cooking methods and procedures, and knife handling skills * Ability to perform ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants

Cook - Applebee's

Lansing, MI · On-site

$12.50 - $16.75/hr

Understanding of cooking methods and procedures, and knife handling skills * Ability to perform ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

Applebee's

Cook - Applebee's

Hastings, MI · On-site

$13.50 - $18.25/hr

Understanding of cooking methods and procedures, and knife handling skills * Ability to perform ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

Applebee's

Cook - Applebee's

Chesterfield, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $17/hr

Understanding of cooking methods and procedures, and knife handling skills * Ability to perform ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

Applebee's

Cook - Applebee's

Taylor, MI · On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

Understanding of cooking methods and procedures, and knife handling skills * Ability to perform ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants

Cook - Applebee's

Monroe, MI · On-site

$13 - $17.25/hr

Understanding of cooking methods and procedures, and knife handling skills * Ability to perform ... Ability to read and interpret documents such as contracts, operating and maintenance instructions ...

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All JobsContract Cooking JobsContract Cooking Jobs in Michigan

Contract Cooking information

See Michigan salary details

$8

$14

$19

How much do contract cooking jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract cooking in Michigan is $14.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.22 and $16.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Cooking vs Restaurant Cooking?

AspectContract CookingRestaurant Cooking
Work EnvironmentVarious locations, often temporary or project-basedSpecific restaurant or food service establishment
CredentialsCooking experience, food safety certifications often preferredCooking experience, food safety certifications typically required
Employment TypeTemporary, freelance, or contract basisFull-time or part-time employment within a restaurant
Industry UsageUsed by catering companies, event services, or food contractorsUsed within the hospitality and food service industry

Contract Cooking involves preparing food at various locations on a temporary basis, often for events or catering, while Restaurant Cooking is based within a specific restaurant or food establishment. Both roles require similar culinary skills and certifications, but their work environments and employment types differ significantly.

What is contract cooking?

Contract cooking is a service where a professional chef or catering company is hired to prepare meals for clients under a formal agreement. This arrangement can be for individuals, families, businesses, or large-scale events. Contract cooks may work on-site in private homes, commercial kitchens, or company cafeterias, providing customized menus based on clients' dietary needs and preferences. The service can be short-term, like for a special event, or ongoing, such as providing daily meals for a business or institution.

What are some common challenges faced by contract cooks, and how can they be successfully managed?

Contract cooks often work in diverse settings, from corporate cafeterias to event venues, which means adapting quickly to different kitchens and equipment. One challenge is managing varying client expectations while maintaining consistent food quality under tight deadlines. Flexibility, strong organizational skills, and clear communication with both clients and team members are key to overcoming these obstacles. Building a reputation for reliability and versatility can also open up more opportunities for advancement and recurring contracts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Cook, you need strong culinary skills, knowledge of food safety regulations, and often formal training or certification in food handling. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, menu planning software, and inventory management systems is typically required. Excellent time management, adaptability, and teamwork help contract cooks excel in various kitchen environments and client settings. These skills ensure high-quality meal preparation, compliance with health standards, and reliable service delivery across diverse assignments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Cooking jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Cooking jobs in Michigan are:
Contract Cooking jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Cooking job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,013 per year, or $14.9 per hour.

Contract Administrator

Meritage Hospitality Group

Grand Rapids, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Meritage Hospitality Group rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Meritage Hospitality Group is seeking a Contract Administrator to join the team!
What You'll Do:
The Contract Administrator is the primary point of contact for purposes of contracting with and managing relationships with various utilities and service providers for our restaurants. Contract Administrators also work directly with counties and municipalities during the acquisition of existing franchise restaurants and opening of new restaurants to ensure that all necessary licensing requirements have been fully satisfied.
Responsibilities and Essential Duties:
Contract Setup
  • Setup services and ensure equipment delivered timely for newly built and acquired stores.
  • Assist with vendor selection in connection with new and acquired restaurants.
  • Setup vendors in contract management system.
  • Collect and track certificates of insurance from new service providers.
  • Assist with negotiation of contracts.

Contract Management
  • Maintain contract tracking system to be able to track and renew contracts in a timely fashion.
  • Manage service contracts and vendor information for various service providers such as landscaping, snowplowing, used cooking oil, pest control, grease extraction, hood cleaning, CO2 and trash collection across multiple markets.
  • Manage utility contracts associated with new and acquired restaurants including assisting with the selection of utility providers in deregulated markets.
  • Track compliance services to ensure vendors complete the services as scheduled and required by state, county, and local municipalities, and by our insurance providers.
  • Ensure contract coverage across all locations for required services to avoid service disruption.

Contract Budgets & Invoicing
  • Assist in creating budget each year based on existing contracts and upcoming renewals (including setting company goals for contract increases).
  • Maintain vendor performance vs. budget throughout the year, reviewing as new contracts are signed or renewals completed.
  • Administration of CMMS System as it relates to vendor quotes, review and invoice approval and management.
  • Other duties as assigned

What We Expect From You
The team at Meritage is made up of dedicated, hard-working individuals who exemplify the core values of Meritage. This team has high expectations for themselves and anyone who desires to join them. They also have a lot of fun together and truly enjoy working with one another. It is a team where excellence is expected and accomplishments are celebrated. To join this team, you'll need to demonstrate the same high standards. You'll also need the following qualifications:
Skills & Abilities:
  • Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to track numerous contracts, renewal dates, and vendors simultaneously without items slipping through the cracks.
  • Clear, professional written and verbal communication for working with vendors, utility providers, and municipal offices.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (sorting, filtering, and basic formulas) and Outlook, with the ability to quickly learn a contract-management or CMMS platform.
  • Basic numeracy and comfort reviewing invoices, quotes, and budget figures for accuracy and discrepancies.
  • Customer-service and relationship-management orientation when coordinating with service providers.
  • Ability to read and interpret straightforward contract terms, certificates of insurance, and service schedules.
  • Sound problem-solving and dependable follow-through to resolve service gaps and billing or compliance issues.
  • Effective time management and the ability to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced, multimarket environment.
  • Discretion and good judgment when handling confidential vendor and company information.
  • A collaborative team player who can also work independently with minimal supervision following training.

Education & Experience
  • High school diploma or equivalent required; an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain, finance, or a related field is preferred.
  • 1 to 2 years of administrative, procurement, vendor-coordination, or contract-support experience; relevant internship or coursework will be considered.

What You Can Expect From Us
As a member of Meritage, you will enjoy the following benefits:
  • Competitive base salary and bonus plans
  • Health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and HSA options
  • Paid Time Off and Holidays
  • 401k
  • Meal discounts at all Meritage affiliated restaurants
  • Plus various additional perks and benefits

Meritage Hospitality Group, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, is one of the nation's premier restaurant operators with more than 300 restaurants operating in 15 states. We are one of the largest Wendy's franchisees and just opened our first Bojangles restaurant. In addition to quick service, we have developed West Michigan casual dining concepts The Blue Porch and Morning Belle. Each of our concepts deliver a distinct dining experience for our guests and a work environment rich with opportunity for our approximately 9,000 team members.
At Meritage, we are Inspired by Opportunity and Achieve Success Through Service. We live by our five Core Values - Uncommon Hospitality, Run It Like You Own It, Collective Genius, The Sky is the Limit, and We Love What We Do.
Now is the time to join!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Inclusion is at the heart of our business.

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