ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Culinary Apprenticeship Program Jobs in California

Ventura Foods

Culinary Services Manager

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

AA/AOC Culinary degree, professional certificate, or recognized apprenticeship program, equivalent culinary and product development will be considered. * 7+ years of progressive culinary experience ...

Ventura Foods

Culinary Services Manager

Irvine, CA

AA/AOC Culinary degree, professional certificate, or recognized apprenticeship program, equivalent culinary and product development will be considered. * 7+ years of progressive culinary experience ...

Ventura Foods

Culinary Services Manager

Irvine, CA · On-site

AA/AOC Culinary degree, professional certificate, or recognized apprenticeship program, equivalent culinary and product development will be considered. * 7+ years of progressive culinary experience ...

Ventura Foods

Culinary Services Manager

Irvine, CA

AA/AOC Culinary degree, professional certificate, or recognized apprenticeship program, equivalent culinary and product development will be considered. * 7+ years of progressive culinary experience ...

American Home Care

Housekeeper & Cook's

Oakland, CA · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Cooking experience is preferred or a culinary apprenticeship * A high School diploma or GED ... programs (e.g., Covid-19), participating in testing requirements (e.g. Covid-19, TB) and using ...

American Home Care

Housekeeper & Cook's

Oakland, CA · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Cooking experience is preferred or a culinary apprenticeship * A high School diploma or GED ... programs (e.g., Covid-19), participating in testing requirements (e.g. Covid-19, TB) and using ...

Blossom Vale Senior Living

Cook

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$21.67 - $22.32/hr

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Prep Cook/Cook to join our team. Prep ... Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. * Food Services Sanitation Certificate. If having a ...

Solstice at Apple Valley

Prep/Cook

Apple Valley, CA · On-site

$14.50 - $18.25/hr

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Prep Cook/ Cook to join our team ... Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. * Food Services Sanitation Certificate. If having a ...

New

Integral Senior Living

Prep Cook

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$25 - $28.14/hr

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Prep Cook/Cook to join our team. Prep ... Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. * Food Services Sanitation Certificate. If having a ...

Mission Commons

Prep Cook

Redlands, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $19/hr

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Prep Cook/ Cook to join our team ... Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. * Food Services Sanitation Certificate. If having a ...

Solstice at Apple Valley

Prep/Cook

Apple Valley, CA

$17 - $18.50/hr

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Prep Cook/ Cook to join our team ... Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. * Food Services Sanitation Certificate. If having a ...

New

Mission Commons

Prep Cook

Redlands, CA · On-site

$14.25 - $18/hr

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Prep Cook/ Cook to join our team ... Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. * Food Services Sanitation Certificate. If having a ...

Provincial Senior Living

Prep/Cook

Apple Valley, CA · On-site

$17 - $18.50/hr

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Prep Cook/ Cook to join our team ... Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. * Food Services Sanitation Certificate. If having a ...

Provincial Senior Living

Prep Cook

Redlands, CA · On-site

$16.90 - $19/hr

Employee Assistance Program Our community is looking for a Prep Cook/ Cook to join our team ... Culinary apprenticeship or training preferred. * Food Services Sanitation Certificate. If having a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCulinary Apprenticeship Program JobsCulinary Apprenticeship Program Jobs in California

Culinary Apprenticeship Program information

What is a culinary apprenticeship program?

A Culinary Apprenticeship Program is a structured training initiative that combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience in a professional kitchen. Participants, often called apprentices, work under the supervision of experienced chefs to learn essential cooking techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety practices. These programs typically last from one to three years and are designed to prepare individuals for a career in the culinary industry. Apprenticeships may lead to certifications and sometimes even job placement upon completion.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect during a culinary apprenticeship program?

During a Culinary Apprenticeship Program, you'll gain practical experience in professional kitchens by rotating through various stations such as garde manger, pastry, and hot line. You'll work under the guidance of experienced chefs, learning essential techniques like knife skills, food safety, and plating. These real-world experiences help you build confidence, adapt to the fast-paced kitchen environment, and develop teamwork skills. By the end of the program, you'll be well-prepared for entry-level culinary positions and have a solid foundation for further advancement in the culinary industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a culinary apprenticeship program?

To succeed in a Culinary Apprenticeship Program, you need a basic understanding of cooking techniques, food safety, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, recipe management systems, and certification in food handling (such as ServSafe) is often required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and a willingness to learn set apprentices apart in busy kitchen environments. These skills and qualities ensure that apprentices can master foundational culinary tasks, maintain a safe workspace, and grow into skilled culinary professionals.

What is the difference between Culinary Apprenticeship Program vs Line Cook?

AspectCulinary Apprenticeship ProgramLine Cook
CredentialsTypically requires high school diploma; some programs may need basic culinary knowledgeHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentStructured training in kitchens, often with classroom componentsFast-paced kitchen stations, preparing dishes under supervision
PurposeTo develop foundational culinary skills and industry knowledgeTo execute specific kitchen tasks and prepare menu items

The Culinary Apprenticeship Program provides comprehensive training and education for aspiring chefs, combining classroom learning with hands-on experience. In contrast, a Line Cook focuses on executing specific kitchen duties within a fast-paced environment. While apprenticeships aim to build broad skills for future advancement, line cooks are more specialized in daily kitchen operations.

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Apprenticeship Program jobs in California?

For Culinary Apprenticeship Program jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Apprenticeship Program jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Apprenticeship Program jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Culinary Apprenticeship Program jobs?

Cities in California with the most Culinary Apprenticeship Program job openings:

Culinary Apprenticeship Program jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Apprenticeship Program job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Culinary Services Manager

Ventura Foods

Irvine, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Ventura Foods rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

241st of 444 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Employment Type: Salaried
Work Arrangement: Hybrid- Sandy Springs, GA.  

Position Summary:

The Manager, Culinary Services,  will champion our Food Innovation Services, technical expertise, and commercial growth for Ventura Foods and its customers. Reporting directly to the VP, this position serves as a lead culinary interface between Customers, Sales, Product Development, Insights, and Marketing. The Manager will play a lead role in executing the company’s innovation services, strengthening customer relationships, and ensure alignment between product development and business objectives. This role will develop concepts and products to accelerate speed-to-market, menu innovation and drive revenue growth for our customers. This role will act as the culinary lead for the Sandy Spring, GA Innovation Center. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Provides menu and product innovation services to key customers in multiple business channels. Develops menu concepts and products. Collaborates and/or leads cross-functional teams to present these solutions to customers. Plays a key role in the execution of our Vista Food Innovation Service. 
  • Employs and/or develops digital tools such as videos for menu concepts, product category training, social media, YouTube, and direct to customer engagements. Expands our culinary reach through these tools. 
  • Is the culinary site leader for this location. Owns and manages the kitchen event calendar and culinary execution those events. Ensures the kitchen is cleaned, maintained, and organized. Develops and maintains relationships with third-party culinary facilities. This includes our area broker kitchen for project work involving food preparation. Includes contracted facilities for executing presentations to customers. 
  • Provides and/or leads culinary support for company and industry events where culinary and food service is required. Includes developing concepts, products, menus, execution plans, and communcation. 
  • Documents all customer project acitivty in the Salesforce CRM system to capture the value and time investment provided to customers.  
Education and Experience:

Required:              

  • Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts, Food Science, or related field is preferred. AA/AOC Culinary degree, professional certificate, or recognized apprenticeship program, equivalent culinary and product development will be considered.
  • 7+ years of progressive culinary experience in restaurant operations, food manufacturer, or culinary sales.
  • 3+ years experience in a food manufacturer role is preferred.
  • Experience includes hands-on kitchen operations, menu innovation, product development, direct customer engagement, team leadership, commercialization, and turning strategy into business growth.
  • Experience in collaborating and/or leading cross-functional teams to create customer solutions.
  • Proven success in building customer relationships and translating culinary trends into customer menu solutions. 
    •    Ability to travel up to 40% for customer meetings and industry events.

Highly Preferred:        

  • Possesses or meets requirement to acheive CEC and/or CRC certifications are preferred.
  • Food Protection Manager certification is preferred. 
  • Demonstrated working knowledge and use of digital/video capability.
  • Strong business acumen with ability to connect culinary innovation to commercial growth
  • Strong presentation, communication, and negotiation skills
  • Deep knowledge of food safety, product development, regulatory, product commercialization, trends, and marketing strategies. 
  • Proven profiency in food preparation and execution at a high-level.
Knowledge and Skills:
  • Passionate about food and delivering customer value through food innovation.
    •    Strategic thinker with customer-centric approach to culinary innovation.
    •    Ability to work independently with broad direction. 
    •    Skilled in project management and cross-functional collaboration.
    •    Relationship-driven culinarian with strong commercial instincts.
    •    Kitchen operations expert – fine dining, high-volume food service, casual, fast-casual, QSR, and retail food service. 

Why Join Us:
Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses.  We make exclusive products for the world's most iconic restaurants and retailers, we provide ready-to-go product solutions for professional kitchens, and we make consumer brands everyone knows and loves.  When you work for Ventura Foods, you get a strong foundation of training, a manager who cares about you and celebrates your success, a safe environment, and challenging work.  As part of our team, your future is limited only by how much you’re willing to push yourself to get there. We invest in your growth because you invest in ours.  

Ventura Foods offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:​

  • Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees​
  • Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)​
  • Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays​
  • Employee Appreciation Events​ and Employee Assistance Programs
  • Salary Base Range of $114,801.00 - $150,678.15*

*The “base salary range” provided above is a good faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position in the specified markets.  Ventura Foods reserves the right to pay outside of the given range based on a variety of factors including but not limited to: candidate skills and experience, complexity of the job, budgetary factors, and location/geography.  Ventura Foods conducts regular reviews of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time.  

Diversity & Inclusion:
Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment in which all employees are treated with respect is evident in our company culture and values.  We believe that fostering an environment of inclusion and a focus on diversity across our organization is vital to attracting top talent, driving innovation, and meeting the high expectations of our customers in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Ventura Foods is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Ventura Foods may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted tools at certain stages of our hiring process, including identifying & sourcing candidates, reviewing applications and matched candidates on job boards and websites, and generating screening questions to help us work more efficiently and consistently. We regularly review our tools to promote fairness and reduce the risk of bias. However, while these tools support our process, every hiring decision is made by a real person on our team.  Applicants in the State of New York may request an alternative process by contacting us at VFaccessibility@rescocompany.com.

What Ventura Foods employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply