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Cooking Assistant Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Caldera

Camp Caldera Assistant Cook

Sisters, OR · On-site

$120/day

Assistant Cook Supervisor: Camp Manager Full Time: Typical days are 8 hours in length, with sessions that make for up to 10 straight days of work without a full day off. Each staff member will have ...

Caldera

Camp Caldera Assistant Cook

Sisters, OR

$120/day

Assistant Cook Supervisor: Camp Manager Full Time: Typical days are 8 hours in length, with sessions that make for up to 10 straight days of work without a full day off. Each staff member will have ...

CODA INC

Cook Assistant

Portland, OR · On-site

$21.71/hr

Direct residents at residential sites in preparing and cooking meals. * Assist with donation pick-up from Food Bank and other donation sites. * Prepare for site inspections from various regulatory ...

CODA INC

Cook Assistant

Portland, OR · On-site

$21.71/hr

Direct residents at residential sites in preparing and cooking meals. * Assist with donation pick-up from Food Bank and other donation sites. * Prepare for site inspections from various regulatory ...

Oregon Coast Community Action

Lead Cook

Coos Bay, OR · On-site

Assistant Cooks and Volunteers HR Contact 541-435-7090 hr@orcca.us Revised: May 2026 POSITION PURPOSE: Responsible for the day-to-day operation of the CFRC food service operation; includes ...

Caldera

Camp Caldera Kitchen Assistant

Sisters, OR · On-site

$105/day

Lead Cook and Camp Manager FULL TIME Typical days are 8+ hours in length, with sessions that make ... Kitchen Assistants are responsible for meal preparation and maintaining a friendly, sanitary ...

Caldera

Camp Caldera Kitchen Assistant

Sisters, OR

$105/day

Lead Cook and Camp Manager FULL TIME Typical days are 8+ hours in length, with sessions that make ... Kitchen Assistants are responsible for meal preparation and maintaining a friendly, sanitary ...

Hawaiian Time

Team Member

Eugene, OR

$12.25 - $15.75/hr

Prep Cooks assist with food and store prep, maintaining cleanliness throughout your tasks. Grill Cooks' main responsibility is cooking our chicken dishes, with cleanliness being paramount. All team ...

Caldera

Camp Caldera Lead Cook

Sisters, OR

$150/day

Lead Cook, Assistant Cook, and up to five Kitchen Assistants maintain Caldera's kitchen. Kitchen staff prepare meals that are healthy, delicious, and appealing to both youth and adults (roughly 100 ...

Caldera

Camp Caldera Lead Cook

Sisters, OR · On-site

$150/day

Lead Cook, Assistant Cook, and up to five Kitchen Assistants maintain Caldera's kitchen. Kitchen staff prepare meals that are healthy, delicious, and appealing to both youth and adults (roughly 100 ...

Hiyu Wine Farm

Assistant Cook

Hood River, OR · On-site

$21/hr

Guided by nature and inspired by ideas from biodynamics and permaculture we tend vines, raise animals, garden, cook and make wine to reveal an experience of place. Hiyu is looking for a kitchen ...

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Cooking Assistant information

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

To thrive as a Cooking Assistant, you need basic culinary knowledge, food safety awareness, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, food handling procedures, and certifications like a Food Handler’s Permit are typically required. Strong teamwork, time management, and attention to detail are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications ensure efficient food preparation, a safe kitchen environment, and smooth collaboration within the culinary team.

What are some common challenges faced by Cooking Assistants during busy service periods?

Cooking Assistants often experience high-pressure situations during peak meal times, where quick and accurate preparation of ingredients is crucial. Managing multiple tasks simultaneously—such as chopping vegetables, prepping proteins, and maintaining a clean workstation—can be challenging but is essential for a smooth kitchen operation. Clear communication with chefs and other kitchen staff helps prevent mistakes and ensures timely service. Adapting to a fast-paced environment and staying organized are key to overcoming these challenges.

What are Cooking Assistants?

Cooking Assistants, sometimes known as kitchen assistants or prep cooks, are entry-level staff members who support chefs and cooks in the preparation and organization of food in a kitchen. Their duties typically include washing and chopping ingredients, maintaining cleanliness, organizing supplies, and occasionally assisting with simple cooking tasks. Cooking Assistants play a crucial role in ensuring the kitchen runs efficiently and that food is prepared quickly and safely.

What is the difference between Cooking Assistant vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectCooking AssistantKitchen Helper
Required CredentialsBasic culinary skills, sometimes food safety certificationMinimal credentials, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cateringRestaurants, cafeterias, food prep areas
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in food service establishmentsOften used interchangeably with Cooking Assistant, but more general

The Cooking Assistant and Kitchen Helper roles both support kitchen operations, but Cooking Assistants typically have more culinary responsibilities and may require basic food safety knowledge. Kitchen Helpers usually perform more general support tasks with less emphasis on cooking skills. Both roles are essential in food service environments, but Cooking Assistants often have a slightly higher skill requirement and more involvement in food preparation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cooking jobs in Oregon? The most popular types of Cooking jobs in Oregon are:
What cities in Oregon are hiring for Cooking Assistant jobs? Cities in Oregon with the most Cooking Assistant job openings:
Cooking Assistant jobs near you
Camp Caldera Assistant Cook

Camp Caldera Assistant Cook

Caldera

Sisters, OR • On-site

$120/day

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

At Caldera, we believe in the power of creativity. Our mission is to inspire and support youth from underserved rural and urban communities by awakening the potential of their creative voice. We do this through a unique fusion of art, environment and mentorship. Our Youth Program provides students from Portland and Central Oregon with long-term relationships with caring adults, which nurtures individual creativity, beginning in sixth grade and continuing into young adulthood.
Caldera has a $5M budget, a 18-member board, 21 full-time year-round employees, and a range of seasonally contracted artists and staff. Its administrative office is located in Portland, Oregon, and its Arts Center is located outside of Sisters in Central Oregon.
Position Title: Assistant Cook
Supervisor: Camp Manager
Full Time: Typical days are 8 hours in length, with sessions that make for up to 10 straight days of work without a full day off. Each staff member will have at least 1 night off per session.
Work Location: Sisters, OR
Compensation:
  • Salary/Rate of Pay: $120/day, with 1% increase for each year of experience working at Camp Caldera (not to exceed 7%)
  • Training Rate: $50-117/day depending on whether meals are prepared
  • Room and board provided during days with programming; room only during non-programming days. A light dinner will be provided on staff arrival days. Brunch is served on the last day of each session.

Position Description:
At Caldera, the kitchen staff is a very important part of the Caldera Community and is welcome to participate in daily program activities when kitchen duties are complete. Lead Cook, Assistant Cook, and up to five Kitchen Assistants maintain Caldera's kitchen. Kitchen staff prepare meals that are healthy, delicious, and appealing to both youth and adults (roughly 100-120 each meal).
The Assistant Cook supports the Lead Cook in food preparation and training Kitchen Assistants as well as maintaining a friendly, sanitary kitchen and dining space. The Assistant Cook oversees the kitchen when the Lead Cook is not present and assists in ensuring that Caldera meals make it out on time and clean up happens in an orderly fashion.. This position provides support to the Head Chef on budget management (approximately $25,000), staff oversight, and scheduling for Kitchen Assistants. This position begins before youth and staff arrive.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
MEAL SERVICE (70% OF TIME DEDICATED)
  • Oversee meal preparation under guidance of the Lead Cook providing abundant meals on a tight budget; follow serving guidelines while being sensitive to youth who may be familiar with the concept of scarcity and feelings of hunger
  • As directed by Lead Cook, assist with supervision and training of kitchen staff
  • Follow meal schedule determined by Lead Cook and Camp Manager
  • Support Lead Cook with administrative duties as needed
  • Share dishwashing and cleaning duties
  • Work with Lead Cook to accommodate dietary restrictions of youth and staff.

KITCHEN MANAGEMENT (20% OF TIME DEDICATED)
  • Maintain a clean, healthy work environment
  • Work with Camp Manager to address key personnel or student issues
  • Oversee kitchen set up and take down at the start and end of camp

CAMP SUPPORT (10% OF TIME DEDICATED)
  • Alert supervisor to relevant camper issues
  • Promote program understanding and involvement through Caldera's goals and agreements, participation agreement, and responsibility process
  • Actively participate in all aspects of camp life including: camper orientation, community meetings, evening activities, campfire, free time, etc.
  • Model appropriate camper behavior at all times
  • Perform duties with consistency and integrity
  • Set and respect personal boundaries while acting as mentors, guides, and allies to campers
  • Oversee health and safety of charges in fire drills and emergency procedures
  • Maintain cleanliness of living and common areas and help with clean-up at the end of each session

Requirements
Required Qualifications:
  • Minimum two years experience managing a kitchen, including: staff, food inventory, budgets, and menus
  • Current Oregon Food Handler's Permit required (must attach copy)
  • Prior experience in food service, nutrition, and/or youth programming is desirable
  • Willingness to live in a camp setting and work irregular and long hours. Additionally, you must have the ability to deal with limited cell and internet service and daily exposure to outdoor factors such as sun, heat, bugs, bats, snakes, etc.
  • Prior experience in nutrition, and/or youth programming
  • Supervisory experience
  • Familiarity with anti-oppression frameworks and experience working with diverse staff and youth

Job Requirements:
  • Serve as mandatory reporter, working with Youth Impact Manager to report instances or suspicion of child abuse. Caldera has a zero tolerance policy around child abuse, and any negligence will result in immediate dismissal
  • Requires on-site living in shared staff quarters
  • Alcohol and drugs are not permitted on campus, even in personal living quarters.
  • Must be physically able to move around 116 acres of camp property with varied terrain
  • Must have visual, perceptual, and cognitive ability to recognize and respond quickly to health
  • and safety concerns of students and appropriately re-direct any behavior that is misaligned with Caldera agreements
  • Employees must carry out their duties regardless of inclement weather, which can include but is not limited to, heat, rain, wind, cold, and smoky or dusty conditions.
  • Moments of quiet and non-activity are few and spread out
  • Creating a cohesive staff environment round the clock can be challenging. It is crucial that staff see youth and adults through a strengths-based lens and prioritize creating the best possible youth experience at all times, despite what challenges may arise at the staff level
  • Physical Demands (which can include bending, stooping, hiking, climbing and stretching) are: 5% Sitting, 45% Standing, 20% Walking, 30% Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling Pounds 5 -80 lbs.

To Apply:
Please also submit a reference, ideally from each of the following categories: a food service organization, a family member, and one other professional reference. All applications must contain a resume and completion of the 2 screening questions. All materials are reviewed and considered as part of the hiring process.
Salary Description
$120/day

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