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Culinary Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Crestwood Behavioral Health

Dietary Aide

Fallbrook, CA · On-site

$23/hr

Dietary Aide/Culinary Assistant Job Summary: The Dietary Aide/Culinary Assistant supports all dietary or culinary requirements in service of the dietary needs of our clients in recovery. They will be ...

Crestwood Behavioral Health

Dietary Aide

Fallbrook, CA · On-site

$23/hr

Dietary Aide/Culinary Assistant Job Summary: The Dietary Aide/Culinary Assistant supports all dietary or culinary requirements in service of the dietary needs of our clients in recovery. They will be ...

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Culinary Supervisor

Encinitas, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

The Culinary Supervisor will work under the Executive Chef and other culinary leaders, playing a ... - Assist in Food Preparation: Support the preparation and cooking of meals, ensuring consistency ...

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Culinary Supervisor

Encinitas, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

The Culinary Supervisor will work under the Executive Chef and other culinary leaders, playing a ... - Assist in Food Preparation: Support the preparation and cooking of meals, ensuring consistency ...

Alila Marea

Culinary Supervisor

Encinitas, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

... - Assist in Food Preparation: Support the preparation and cooking of meals, ensuring consistency ... culinary standards. - Menu Development: Collaborate with the Chef de Cuisine on menu changes and ...

Alila Marea

Culinary Supervisor

Encinitas, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

... - Assist in Food Preparation: Support the preparation and cooking of meals, ensuring consistency ... culinary standards. - Menu Development: Collaborate with the Chef de Cuisine on menu changes and ...

Kinder's

Culinary Experience Specialist

Walnut Creek, CA

$38K - $52K/yr

Ensure strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards at all events Culinary Development & Recipe Support * Assist with recipe development and product application testing for new and ...

Kinder's

Culinary Experience Specialist

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$38K - $52K/yr

Ensure strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards at all events Culinary Development & Recipe Support * Assist with recipe development and product application testing for new and ...

Kinder's

Culinary Experience Specialist

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$38K - $52K/yr

Ensure strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards at all events Culinary Development & Recipe Support * Assist with recipe development and product application testing for new and ...

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Culinary Assistant information

See California salary details

$9

$18

$33

How much do culinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary assistant in California is $18.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.95 and $18.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary assistant?

A culinary assistant is responsible for aiding the head chef or kitchen manager in a restaurant or culinary training center for students. In this career, your job duties include ensuring that the kitchen remains clean, assisting with food preparation, and ensuring all cooking equipment is in proper working order. The qualifications for a career as a culinary assistant include a high school diploma and additional training in the culinary arts. This can include formal degrees from culinary schools or vocational training from trade schools. You need strong organizational skills, a passion for food, and excellent attention to detail.

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

To thrive as a Culinary Assistant, you need a solid understanding of food safety, basic cooking techniques, and kitchen operations, typically supported by a high school diploma or culinary coursework. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food handling certifications (like ServSafe), and inventory management systems is common. Strong teamwork, time management, and communication skills help Culinary Assistants excel in fast-paced environments. These abilities ensure efficient food preparation, uphold safety standards, and support smooth kitchen operations.

What are some common challenges faced by culinary assistants in a fast-paced kitchen environment?

Culinary Assistants often face the challenge of multitasking under pressure, especially during busy meal services. They need to maintain high standards of food safety and cleanliness while quickly preparing ingredients and supporting chefs. Adapting to sudden changes in menu orders and working efficiently with team members are also frequent demands. Successful Culinary Assistants develop strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with the kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations.

What is the difference between Culinary Assistant vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectCulinary AssistantKitchen Helper
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require food safety certificationTypically no formal credentials required
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, catering servicesFood prep areas, kitchens, cafeterias
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting chefs, preparing ingredients, following recipesBasic food prep, cleaning, assisting with setup

Both roles support kitchen operations, but Culinary Assistants often have more specialized responsibilities and may require certifications. Kitchen Helpers typically perform basic tasks and support daily kitchen functions. The choice depends on experience and career goals in the culinary industry.

More about Culinary Assistant jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in California?

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in California are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Culinary Assistant jobs?

Cities in California with the most Culinary Assistant job openings:

Culinary Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Assistant job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,904 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Dietary Aide

Crestwood Behavioral Health

Fallbrook, CA • On-site

$23/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Crestwood Behavioral Health rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

190th of 889 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Are you looking for a meaningful role in behavioral health and have the desire to work with an organization that puts people first? If you have a passion for helping others along their recovery journey, then we invite you to join our Crestwood family!
For more than 50+ years Crestwood has been committed to creating innovative recovery programs and developing compassionate communities that support each client in their journey. Our model of care focuses on a personal and self-directed process that empowers the people we serve and helps them to develop the skills to thrive!
Title: Dietary Aide/Culinary Assistant
Job Summary: The Dietary Aide/Culinary Assistant supports all dietary or culinary requirements in service of the dietary needs of our clients in recovery. They will be expected to participate in all appropriate mandatory in-service classes. They will follow the work schedule as assigned by the supervisor and perform other position-appropriate tasks as assigned. The Dietary Aide/Culinary Assistant shall fulfill these responsibilities in a timely manner so as to meet the daily mealtime service requirements.
Schedule:
  • Full-Time: 5:30AM-2:00PM

Qualifications:
  • A high school diploma desired.
  • Previous experience in food service preferred.
  • Possesses the ability to follow the correct procedure in setting up all trays.
  • Understands the basic principles of all common facility therapeutic and texture modified diets and properly serves foods designated for these diets.
  • Understands standard dietary/culinary abbreviations and color-coding used in food service.

Crestwood Offers Comprehensive Benefits Packages to Full-Time Employees Including:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Life Insurance
  • Vacation
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Sick Leave Buy Back
  • 401(k) Retirement
  • Scholarship Program
  • Competitive Pay
  • Paid Holidays
  • Service Awards
  • Jury Duty Pay

About the Campus: Crestwood Fallbrook Healing Center is a Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC) located in Northern San Diego County, in the beautiful city of Fallbrook, the "Avocado Capital of the World." We accomplish successful reintegration through various modalities including classes, therapy, community service, and peer mentorship.
To learn more about B Certified Corporations, visit www.bcorp.com
The salary range listed below represents the minimum and maximum base pay per hour at the time of posting. Final salary offered to the candidate selected for the position will be based on factors including but not limited to candidate's skills, experience, licensure, and program acuity.
Pay Range:
$23-$23 USD
It's About Growth! Our employees are our most valuable assets.
Did you know that at Crestwood you can gain experience at one of California's leading behavioral health service providers? We deliver industry leading education and training that allows our team members to succeed and continue to grow their careers with Crestwood.
Check out our Career Page to learn more about being a part the Crestwood Family and the benefits available. https://workatcrestwood.com/
Crestwood is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to inclusion, equity and diversity. We embrace all differences and are fully committed to fostering a sense of belonging for everyone. We also take affirmative action to offer employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to ability during the application or recruiting process, please talk with your hiring contact/recruiter or send a request to HR@CBHI.net.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.
Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please review this link to provide information on how we collect and use your data.
Crestwood is required to participate in the E-Verify program. To learn more, please see: E-Verify Participation, Right to Work notices, or visit www.e-verify.gov.

What Crestwood Behavioral Health employees say

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About Crestwood Behavioral Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc., based in Sacramento, CA, US, is a recognized leader in the field of Behavioral Health. The company’s main offering includes a broad spectrum of services for adults with mental health needs, including campus-based services, day treatment programs, and community integration services. Established more than 50 years ago, Crestwood has a rich history grounded in a relentless pursuit of optimism, bravery, and an unwavering commitment to creating recovery-focused programs that uphold the rights and dignity of individuals living with mental health issues. Their mission is to provide a continuum of services that empower individuals living with mental health issues to realize recovery.

Industry

Offices of mental health practitioners

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sacramento, CA, US

Year founded

1968

Social media

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