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Cooking Chef Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Tantísimo

Executive Sous Chef

Nashville, TN

$58K - $70K/yr

Our team is led by Ana Aguilar and Joshua Cook, chef/owners and partners who just won the Rising Stars award by Star Chefs! We are open from 10am-2pm and 5pm-10pm, Tuesday-Sunday. We are in the ...

Tantísimo

Executive Sous Chef

Nashville, TN

$62K - $80K/yr

Our team is led by Ana Aguilar and Joshua Cook, chef/owners and partners who just won the Rising Stars award by Star Chefs! We are open from 10am-2pm and 5pm-10pm, Tuesday-Sunday. We are in the ...

NHC

Cook / Chef

Nashville, TN · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Cook/Chef NHC Place at the Trace is looking for outstanding full-time culinarians to cook for our residents! Do you want to enjoy a comprehensive benefit package, with no late nights, a fun work ...

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How much do cooking chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking chef in Tennessee is $22.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.29 and $28.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying type of chef?

Executive chefs and head chefs typically earn the highest salaries among cooking chefs, especially in fine dining restaurants, hotels, and resort settings. Their compensation can include high base pay, bonuses, and profit sharing, often reflecting their leadership, experience, and culinary skills.

What is the highest paying job for a cook?

The highest paying roles for cooks include executive chefs and head chefs in fine dining restaurants or luxury hotels, often earning six-figure salaries. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and culinary certifications, and may involve managing large teams and complex menus.

What are some common challenges Cooking Chefs face when managing a busy kitchen, and how can they overcome them?

Cooking Chefs often encounter challenges such as coordinating multiple orders during peak hours, maintaining food quality under pressure, and managing a diverse kitchen team. Effective communication, strong organizational skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are essential for overcoming these challenges. Many chefs implement systems for prep work, delegate tasks efficiently, and foster a collaborative environment to ensure smooth kitchen operations and consistent quality.

What is the highest paid chef job?

The highest paid chef roles are executive chefs, head chefs, or culinary directors in high-end restaurants, luxury hotels, or private estates, often earning six-figure salaries. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and advanced culinary certifications. Salaries can vary based on location, reputation, and the size of the establishment.

What does a Cooking Chef do?

A Cooking Chef is responsible for preparing, cooking, and presenting meals in restaurants, hotels, or other food establishments. They often design menus, select ingredients, and ensure food quality and safety standards are met. Chefs may also supervise kitchen staff, manage inventory, and maintain a clean and organized kitchen environment. Their role is essential in delivering delicious, visually appealing dishes that satisfy customers. Cooking Chefs often work in fast-paced settings and need strong culinary skills, creativity, and attention to detail.

Is 35 too late to become a chef?

Cooking chefs can start their careers at any age, and many successful chefs begin later in life. Gaining culinary skills through training or apprenticeships is essential, and age does not typically limit entry into the profession. Experience, passion, and dedication are often more important than age in becoming a chef.

What is the difference between Cooking Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectCooking ChefLine Cook
CredentialsCooking certification or culinary degree often preferredBasic culinary training or apprenticeship
Work EnvironmentKitchen, often overseeing kitchen operationsKitchen station, focused on specific dishes
Employer & IndustryRestaurants, hotels, catering servicesRestaurants, food service establishments
Job FocusMenu planning, supervising staff, quality controlPreparing dishes according to recipes and standards

The Cooking Chef typically has more responsibilities, including supervising kitchen staff and managing menus, while a Line Cook focuses on preparing specific dishes. Both roles are essential in culinary operations, but the Cooking Chef often requires more experience and culinary education.

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

To thrive as a Cooking Chef, you need strong culinary skills, a deep understanding of food safety, and often a culinary arts degree or relevant certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, recipe management systems, and inventory software is typically required. Creativity, leadership, and the ability to work under pressure are essential soft skills in this role. These skills ensure high-quality food preparation, efficient kitchen operations, and a positive dining experience for guests.
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Cooking Chef jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Cooking Chef job openings:
Cooking Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooking Chef job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,493 per year, or $22.4 per hour.

Executive Sous Chef

Tantísimo

Nashville, TN

$58K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

About Us: Tantisimo is an independent Latin American restaurant serving Sylvan Park six days per week. We serve farm-to-table small plates and large format proteins in a semi-open kitchen. Our team is led by Ana Aguilar and Joshua Cook, chef/owners and partners who just won the Rising Stars award by Star Chefs! We are open from 10am-2pm and 5pm-10pm, Tuesday-Sunday. We are in the second year of our brick and mortar, and looking forward to growing our restaurant with someone who is passionate about gastronomical excellence, operations, and Latin America!
Compensation: 58k-70k Range (Depends on Experience and Schedule), Plus Bonuses
Role: As Executive Sous Chef, you’ll work closely with the Exec-Chefs to oversee all aspects of our kitchen productivity, from menu development to the budget and schedule. This includes managing our kitchen team, monitoring inventory, and ensuring all dishes are created to the high standards we are known for, while minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

Duties:

  • Cook: Preparation, execution, and quality control of all menu items.
  • Staffing: Hiring, scheduling, training, and day-to-day oversight of kitchen staff.
  • Purchasing: Timely, cost-conscious purchasing within COGS targets.
  • Create: Participate in developing new, on‑brand dishes as needed.
  • Inventory: Receive deliveries, maintain accurate inventory and recipe costing, follow inventory schedule.
  • Waste Reduction: Ensure correct storage/rotation, composting, sustainability initiatives, and waste tracking in Toast.
  • Work Areas: Oversee sanitation, equipment care/maintenance, and weekly sidework.
  • Safety & Compliance: Maintain health‑code compliance and certifications; proactively address hazards.
  • Cost & Financial Reporting: Monitor food/labor costs vs budgets; prepare brief weekly/monthly reports for the Executive Chef/owner.
  • Vendor Relations: Manage vendor communication, negotiate terms, and resolve delivery/invoice issues.
  • Training & SOPs: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, training materials, and onboarding checklists.
  • KPIs: Track measurable goals (food cost %, waste %, labor %, ticket times, etc) to evaluate performance.
Benefits:
  • Eligibility for Performance and Revenue Based Bonuses
  • PTO
  • Paid Holidays
  • Health Stipend
  • Ongoing career development and support
  • Dining Discounts
More detail about Tantísimo, please visit https://culinaryagents.com/entities/917662-Tant%25C3%25ADsimo