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Cooking Job information

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How much do cooking job jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for cooking job in Chicago, IL is $17.64, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $19.57 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cooking job?

Cooking jobs involve preparing, cooking, and presenting food in various settings such as restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, and private homes. People in these roles may work as chefs, cooks, line cooks, or kitchen assistants, and are responsible for following recipes, ensuring food safety, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Cooking jobs often require creativity, efficiency, and the ability to work under pressure, especially during busy meal times. Depending on the position, formal culinary training or on-the-job experience may be necessary.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a cooking job, and why are they important?

To thrive in a cooking job, you need strong culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a culinary degree or relevant kitchen experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food handling certifications is typically required. Attention to detail, creativity, time management, and teamwork are standout soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure consistently high food quality, efficient kitchen operations, and a positive dining experience for customers.

What are some common challenges faced by cooks in a busy kitchen environment?

Cooks in busy kitchens often face challenges such as managing time efficiently during rush periods, maintaining consistency in food quality, and handling multiple orders simultaneously. Strong communication with the kitchen team and front-of-house staff is crucial for smooth service. Adapting to last-minute menu changes or special dietary requests is also common, requiring flexibility and a calm demeanor under pressure.

What is the difference between Cooking Job vs Food Preparation Worker?

AspectCooking JobFood Preparation Worker
CredentialsNone required, culinary training preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, hotels, catering servicesFood processing plants, kitchens, cafeterias
Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food serviceUsed in food manufacturing and institutional settings
Job FocusPreparing and cooking mealsPreparing ingredients, assembling dishes

Cooking jobs primarily involve preparing and cooking meals in restaurants or catering settings, often requiring culinary skills and training. Food preparation workers focus on preparing ingredients and assembling dishes, typically in food manufacturing or institutional environments. While both roles involve food handling, cooking jobs emphasize culinary techniques, whereas food prep roles concentrate on ingredient preparation.

What are careers in cooking?

Careers in cooking include roles such as chef, sous chef, line cook, pastry chef, and kitchen manager. These jobs typically require culinary skills, knowledge of food safety standards, and often certification or training from culinary schools or programs. Cooking careers can be found in restaurants, hotels, catering services, and other food service establishments.

What jobs can I do with a cooking job?

With a cooking job, you can pursue roles such as line cook, sous chef, pastry chef, kitchen manager, or catering chef. These positions often require culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and the ability to work in fast-paced environments.

What are popular job titles related to Cooking Job jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Cooking Job jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cooking Job jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Cooking Job jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Cooking Job jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Cooking Job job openings:

Cooking Job jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cooking Job job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,655 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Deerfield After-School Children's Cooking Instructor

Sticky Fingers Cooking

Deerfield, IL • On-site

$60/hr

Part-time

Posted 29 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead hour-long cooking classes for children, teaching them about new ingredients, healthy foods, and basic kitchen skills.

  • Prepare for classes by reviewing curricula, shopping for ingredients, and organizing necessary equipment and tools.

  • Engage and manage groups of 8-14 children during hands-on cooking activities, providing direction and encouragement.

Job description

SFC Chicagoland LLC dba Sticky Fingers Cooking® of Chicago, IL is looking to hire part-time After School Children's Cooking Instructor to help us Cultivate COOLinary Curiosity in Kids®!
  • Are you ready to TURNIP the BEET on what KIDS EAT®?
  • Are you looking for a fun, part-time job?
  • Do you love the magical combination of children and cooking?
  • Are you passionate about introducing kids to new ingredients and exploring new tastes in the kitchen?
  • Do you have a love for food and want to lead cooking classes for children using our kid-tested and approved recipes?

If so, please read on and consider joining us in the kitchen!
This position pays a great starting wage of $60.00 per class + food reimbursement. Please note: Due to locations and times, you will likely teach just 1 afterschool class per day. Additional prep and wrap up time bookend the hour long class! Choose which days work best for you. School assignments will be as close to your home/work as possible.
Our instructors bring the kitchen to the kids with our cooking kit that contains all the necessary equipment and tools. SFC Chicagoland LLC dba Sticky Fingers Cooking® provides paid hands-on training and individualized support.
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Availability at least 2 days a week to teach (Classes are Monday - Friday and take place between 2-5pm; most classes are between 3:00 - 4:30pm! Some availability between 3:00 - 4:30pm will be strongly preferred!!)
  • Commitment to teaching weekly for full sessions (ranging from 6-12 weeks)
  • Experience working with groups of kids of varying ages
  • Ability to manage and engage a group of 8-14 children with diverse backgrounds and academic levels
  • Access to reliable transportation
  • Ability to communicate with our team in a timely manner
  • Punctual and reliable
  • No professional cooking experience required
  • ServSafe Food Handler Certification (can obtain before teaching)

Let's TACO-bout "a day in the life" of an After School Children's Cooking Instructor!
As a part-time After School Children's Cooking Instructor, you are the face of our company, getting to interact with children between the ages of 3-12, parents, and school staff each week. You work on-site at different locations in your area, leading hour-long healthy and engaging cooking enrichment classes for students.
Each week, you create creative recipes and teach children about new ingredients and healthy foods from all over the world in an engaging and hands-on way. Your organizational skills come into play as you review weekly class curricula and prepare for instruction which includes shopping independently for fresh ingredients. You teach basic kitchen skills including washing, cutting, grating, stirring, measuring, nutrition, and more as well as the history, geography, and language behind each recipe.
Kids learn in a dynamic hands-on environment while you provide the direction and encouragement to create a new recipe each class. Teach kids healthy food habits that will nourish their bodies and minds for a lifetime.
Our chefs are ONE in a MELON! Meet some of them in this video: https://vimeo.com/492139079
ABOUT STICKY FINGERS COOKING®
Our dedicated, talented and creative team has been busy cultivating 'cool'inary curiosity for thousands of children in online classes, schools, camps, and special events since 2008.
We offer quality enrichment cooking classes before, during, and after school, as well as birthday parties, private cooking classes, and camps for children 3-12 years of age. Sticky Fingers Cooking® also operates in select cities across the country!
Our philosophy is that kids are only impacted if we have great instructors who are passionate about what they do. We attract and retain such amazing instructors by offering a friendly schedule, all the needed equipment, and tools, paid training, individualized support, and FUN!
ARE YOU READY TO JOIN US IN THE KITCHEN?
If you feel that you would be a GRATE fit, please fill out our application. We look forward to meeting you!
Upon hire, employees will be required to pass a fingerprint background check.

Apply