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Cooker Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Cooker Operator

Compton, CA · On-site

$20.34/hr

The Cook Operator will ensure that all needs in the kitchen are being met and will coordinate all aspects of kitchen operations with the lead and supervisor. The cook operator will assist with ...

Cooker Operator

Compton, CA · On-site

$20.34/hr

The Cook Operator will ensure that all needs in the kitchen are being met and will coordinate all aspects of kitchen operations with the lead and supervisor. The cook operator will assist with ...

Cooker Operator

Compton, CA · On-site

$20.34/hr

The Cook Operator will ensure that all needs in the kitchen are being met and will coordinate all aspects of kitchen operations with the lead and supervisor. The cook operator will assist with ...

Cooker Operator

Compton, CA · On-site

$20.34/hr

The Cook Operator will ensure that all needs in the kitchen are being met and will coordinate all aspects of kitchen operations with the lead and supervisor. The cook operator will assist with ...

Join Our Team as a Line Cook at Neighbors | Tap and Cook House! Are you passionate about creating delicious dishes and working in a fast-paced, dynamic kitchen environment? At Neighbors | Tap and ...

Cook

Beverly Hills, CA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Cook We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first and ...

Cook

Modesto, CA

$16.90 - $22/hr

Cook We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first and ...

Cook

Whittier, CA

$16 - $25/hr

Cook We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first and ...

Cook

Livermore, CA

$17 - $22/hr

Cook We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first and ...

Cook

Roseville, CA

$16.90 - $24/hr

Our restaurant is looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first ...

Cook

San Jose, CA · On-site

$19.45 - $21.45/hr

Cook We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first and ...

Cook

Corona, CA

$17 - $18/hr

Cook We are looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first and ...

Cook

Sacramento, CA

$17 - $25/hr

Our restaurant is looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first ...

Cook

Vallejo, CA

$16.90 - $24/hr

Our restaurant is looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first ...

Cook

Fresno, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $23/hr

Our restaurant is looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first ...

Cook

Fresno, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $23/hr

Our restaurant is looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first ...

Cook

San Jose, CA

$20 - $27/hr

Our restaurant is looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first ...

Cook

Yuba City, CA

$16.90 - $25/hr

Our restaurant is looking for an experienced cook to fill a vacant spot in our kitchen staff and contribute to the overall excellence of our restaurant. The person we are hoping to employ is first ...

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Showing results 1-20

Cooker information

See California salary details

$15

$18

$21

How much do cooker jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooker in California is $18.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $20.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Cooker (Chef or Cook), you need a solid understanding of food preparation, cooking techniques, and food safety standards, often gained through culinary school or hands-on experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Attention to detail, time management, and teamwork are vital soft skills that set exceptional cooks apart. These skills and qualifications ensure efficient kitchen operations, high-quality dishes, and a safe dining environment for customers.

What is the difference between Cooker vs Chef?

AspectCookerChef
CredentialsBasic culinary skills, sometimes certifications in food safetyFormal culinary education or extensive experience, culinary certifications
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering servicesProfessional kitchens, restaurants, hotels, culinary establishments
ResponsibilitiesPreparing and cooking food according to recipesOverseeing kitchen operations, menu creation, supervising cooks

The main difference between a Cooker and a Chef lies in their roles and responsibilities. A Cooker typically focuses on preparing and cooking food, often with basic skills and certifications. A Chef, on the other hand, has advanced culinary training, oversees kitchen operations, and is responsible for menu development. While both work in similar environments, the Chef's role is more managerial and creative, whereas the Cooker primarily executes cooking tasks.

What are some common challenges a professional cooker faces in a high-volume kitchen, and how can they be managed?

In a high-volume kitchen, cookers often face challenges such as managing time efficiently, maintaining consistency in food quality, and handling pressure during peak service hours. To manage these, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, communicate clearly with kitchen staff, and stay calm under pressure. Many successful cookers also rely on prep work and mise en place to streamline service and ensure a smooth workflow. Building good relationships with team members helps foster a supportive environment, making it easier to overcome challenges together.

What does a cooker do?

A cooker, often referred to as a cook or chef, is responsible for preparing and cooking food in restaurants, cafeterias, or other dining establishments. Their duties include following recipes, measuring and mixing ingredients, monitoring food while it cooks, and ensuring meals are served at the right temperature and presentation. Cookers also maintain kitchen cleanliness and adhere to food safety standards. Depending on the workplace, their responsibilities may range from simple food preparation to creating complex dishes.
What are popular job titles related to Cooker jobs in California? For Cooker jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cooker jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Cooker jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Cooker jobs? Cities in California with the most Cooker job openings:
Infographic showing various Cooker job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $39,278 per year, or $18.9 per hour.
Cooker Operator

Cooker Operator

Foster Farms

Compton, CA • On-site

$20.34/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Foster Farms rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

284th of 401 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Description Pay Rate $20.34 per hour + $.75 shift premium Night At Foster Farms, our mission is creating great food and serving great moments. Our vision is to be the best and most trusted food company, empowering and nourishing the lives of those we serve. We measure our success by how well we protect and care for our team, our consumers, our animals, and our environment, while delivering operational excellence and exceptional value to our customers. Position Summary In this position, you will clean, set up and assemble kitchen equipment, form and cook batches of filling, conduct inventory and document all pertinent information in regards to HACCP, traceability and batch records. The Cook Operator will ensure that all needs in the kitchen are being met and will coordinate all aspects of kitchen operations with the lead and supervisor. The cook operator will assist with training and set-up as needed by the lead and supervisor. Job Functions Weigh out and manually add bags, buckets, scoops and shovels full of flavorings, spices and other ingredients to the cooker according to the recipe. Prebatch and stage ingredients. Provide guidance and leadership to cook assistant which may include equipment trouble shooting, set up for schedule changes or other adjustments as needed. Assist with and ensure completion of CCP 1 & CCP 2 HACCP documentation, traceability and batch records. Attend daily meetings and assist in making decisions and calculations regarding fill requests from production. Obtain and fill containers, vats or tubs of meat, beans, cheese and other ingredients, move to cook station as needed. Coordinate and conduct daily raw material inventories. Follow FIFO of ingredients in kitchen and report any abnormalities to supervisor or lead. Transport full gondolas to cooler or cook station as required. Transport finished batches to cooler storage areas as required. Obtain work schedule, obtain paperwork and prepare for operations. Assist supervisor and lead with shift set-up. Report to assigned work station and obtain tools, check equipment and check recipe as required. Manually bucket product into gondolas to cooler or cook station as required. At end of shift, secure all equipment, perform general housekeeping duties and complete all required paperwork. Attend training as required, including Quality Control, Human Resources, etc. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Must be able to use, or learn to use, the equipment and tools used to perform the job. Must be able to perform all job functions safely. Must meet the company standards for the job. Must be able to follow instructions. Must be able to understand and follow all written SSOP's. Must be able to understand SDS (Safety data sheets). Must be able to work the scheduled / assigned times and required overtime for the position. Must be able to complete "Lock out/Tag out" training. Must be able to submit and pass drug test and criminal background check. Physical Requirements Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. Foster Farms is always looking for talented individuals to join the Foster Farms Team. We offer the experience of a large organization; however, we operate like a family business. More than half of our openings are filled with internal promotion, and we encourage Team Members to gain a variety of experiences across different functional groups. Foster Farms ACTION Guiding Principles Accountability: Deliver on commitments. Collaboration: Achieve more by working as a team. Truth-Seeking: Be open-minded and act with humility. Initiative: Be proactive and lead with a growth mindset. Ownership: Take responsibility for results. Nimble: Operate with speed and agility. Why Join Foster Farms? This is a high-impact opportunity to shape the future of the ready-to-eat business at a leading food company, directly supporting our mission, vision, and values. You will play a critical role in delivering safe, high-quality food and great moments for millions of families.

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