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Culinary Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Aramark

Culinary Supervisor

San Jose, CA · On-site

$28/hr

... assist with storage • Ensure proper handling of all food products and equipment is maintained, to ensure food safety and kitchen standards are adhered to at all times. • Ensure cleanliness and ...

Aramark

Culinary Supervisor

San Jose, CA · On-site

$28/hr

The Culinary Supervisor will coordinate, plan, participate, and supervise the production ... assist with storage Ensure proper handling of all food products and equipment is maintained, to ...

Aramark

Culinary Supervisor

San Jose, CA

$28/hr

... assist with storage • Ensure proper handling of all food products and equipment is maintained, to ensure food safety and kitchen standards are adhered to at all times. • Ensure cleanliness and ...

Sodexo

Culinary Supervisor

Torrance, CA · On-site

$24 - $26.50/hr

Culinary Supervisor Location: #la-location_name Workdays/shifts : Weekdays - morning shifts. More ... * Assist in ensuring a safe working environment throughout the facility for all employees.

The Remington

Director of Culinary Services

Hanford, CA · On-site

$34 - $36/hr

Prepare meals, cook, and assist with daily kitchen operations as needed * Order food and chemical ... Bachelor's or Associates degree in culinary arts program preferred. * Minimum of 5 years of ...

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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.

Culinary Production Manager

Wolfgang Puck Catering

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

 Salary: $85,000 - $95,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

Where Passion Meets Purpose - and Careers Come Alive

At Wolfgang Puck Catering, great careers are crafted the same way great food is — with passion, intention, and the right people around you. We hire for curiosity, spirit, and heart, and we invest in everything you bring to the table. Through mentorship, real development, and a clear path to leadership, we're committed to your journey — not just your job title. Come be part of something that challenges and champions you in equal measure.

"I can have the best food, but if we don't have good people, it won't get you very far." — Wolfgang Puck

Success on our team starts with our culture:

  • We have Wolfgang’s PASSION for our business, our product, and our people / guests / clients.
  • A FLEXIBLE MINDSET is key; we are strategic business partners who wear multiple hats.  
  • Our services require a CONCIERGE mentality, a bias to action with humble hospitality.
  • We are out-of-the-box PROBLEM SOLVERS, who look around corners so our clients and guests don’t have to.  
  • We curate company and partner resources to bring our client’s vision to life.  We seek to cultivate the next generation of talent, purveyors and partnerships.
  • We bring an entrepreneurial approach to deliver results for our clients (you might call this scrappy).   
  • Collaboration and openness to innovative business tools, new ways of thinking and ability to partner across departments are essential to create optimal business solutions.

“I can have the best food, but if we don’t have good people, it won’t get you very far.”

Job Summary

As a Culinary Production Manager with Wolfgang Puck Catering at our Los Angeles Commissary, you will play a key leadership role in delivering the culinary excellence that defines our brand. This position oversees daily kitchen production supporting premier catered events, corporate dining, and high-profile client experiences throughout the Los Angeles market.

The Culinary Production Manager leads a talented team of culinarians, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and execution in a fast-paced commissary environment. This is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on kitchen leader with experience in fine dining, catering, luxury hospitality, or high-volume restaurant operations who is passionate about developing teams and producing world-class cuisine at scale.

Responsibilities
  • Lead daily culinary production to ensure timely execution of food preparations for catering events and corporate dining programs.
  • Manage and develop kitchen teams while fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and teamwork.
  • Ensure all menu items are executed to Wolfgang Puck Catering's standards for quality, presentation, and consistency.
  • Monitor production schedules, labor, and workflow to meet business demands and event timelines.
  • Maintain the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety.
  • Collaborate with Executive Chefs and Operations leadership to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.
  • Assist with inventory management, product utilization, and waste reduction initiatives.
  • Support special events and additional operational needs as required.
Qualifications
  • 3+ years of leadership experience in fine dining, catering, luxury hospitality, commissary, or high-volume restaurant environments.
  • Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop culinary teams.
  • Strong understanding of food quality, kitchen operations, and production planning.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
  • Passion for hospitality, culinary excellence, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Apply to Wolfgang Puck Catering today!

Wolfgang Puck Catering is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Associates at Wolfgang Puck Catering are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Personal Leave
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Wolfgang Puck Catering maintains a drugfree workplace.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_WPC.pdf

Req ID: 1558941

Wolfgang Puck Catering 

Michael Abbey 

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