ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Culinary Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Cassia

Culinary Assistant

Newton, IA · On-site

As a Culinary Assistant at Newton Village , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving meals to our residents, staff, and family members. Mealtimes are a meaningful part of our ...

Cassia

Culinary Assistant

Newton, IA · On-site

As a Culinary Assistant at Newton Village , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving meals to our residents, staff, and family members. Mealtimes are a meaningful part of our ...

Cassia

Culinary Assistant

Boone, IA · On-site

As a Culinary Assistant at Westhaven , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great group to work ...

Cassia

Culinary Assistant

Clive, IA · On-site

As a Culinary Assistant at Meadowview of Clive , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great ...

Cassia

Culinary Assistant

Boone, IA · On-site

As a Culinary Assistant at Westhaven , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great group to work ...

Cassia

Culinary Assistant

Clive, IA · On-site

As a Culinary Assistant at Meadowview of Clive , you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving our residents, employees, and family members' meals. Our Dietary Department is a great ...

Cassia

Cook/ Culinary Assistant

Newton, IA · On-site

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

As a Cook/Culinary Assistant at Newton Village , you'll assist with meal preparation, food service, kitchen sanitation, and creating a positive dining experience for residents. The ideal candidate is ...

Cassia

Cook/ Culinary Assistant

Newton, IA · On-site

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

As a Cook/Culinary Assistant at Newton Village , you'll assist with meal preparation, food service, kitchen sanitation, and creating a positive dining experience for residents. The ideal candidate is ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCulinary JobsCulinary Assistant JobsCulinary Assistant Jobs in Iowa

Culinary Assistant information

See Iowa salary details

$8

$17

$31

How much do culinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary assistant in Iowa is $17.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $17.60 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 Iowa?

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Iowa are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Culinary Assistant jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Culinary Assistant job openings:

Culinary Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Assistant job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,026 per year, or $17.8 per hour.

Culinary Assistant

Cassia

Newton, IA • On-site

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Newton Village, a Cassia community, is hiring Culinary Assistants to join our culinary team! This is a great opportunity for those seeking entry-level work or looking to grow and develop their culinary skills in a healthcare setting. No experience is required-we will provide all the training you need to succeed. Plus, enjoy guaranteed hours and no late nights!
As a Culinary Assistant at Newton Village, you will gain valuable knowledge and experience by serving meals to our residents, staff, and family members. Mealtimes are a meaningful part of our residents' day, and your role helps create a warm and welcoming dining experience. Our Culinary Department is a fun, dedicated team that is truly valued by staff and residents alike. If you have a passion for great customer service and want to make a difference, we'd love to meet you!
Position Type: Part-Time working evenings and weekends
Shifts Available: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm (weekdays) and 6:00 am - 2:30 pm or 7:00 am - 3:30 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or 10:30bam - 7:00 pm (weekends)
Location: 110 N 5th Ave W, Newton, IA 50208
Culinary Assistant Responsibilities:
  • Deliver excellent customer service to residents, staff, and families.
  • Work within the department to provide quality and nutritious meals and service to residents.
  • Assist with food preparation and serving meals to residents.
  • Help maintain a clean and sanitary dietary department.
  • Wash dishes and clean the kitchen and dining rooms.
  • Assist residents, employees, and guests with a broad range of dietary needs.
  • Perform other duties as needed.
Culinary Assistant Qualifications:
  • Prior restaurant or healthcare experience preferred, but not required. We'll train you!
  • Strong communication skills to interact with residents and staff.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Basic math skills.
Cassia Benefits:
  • Competitive Pay with experience-based raises
  • Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness (site-specific)
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) & 403(b)/401(k) with Employer Match
  • Comprehensive Health Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance) for Full-Time Employees
  • Meal discounts

About Us:
Join our friendly staff at our award-winning facility! Here at Newton Village, we care about you, and we show it by offering discounted meals and monthly drawings for our staff. We take pride in supporting you succeed and offer plenty of opportunities for advancement. Newton Village has been recognized with the 2025 Customer Experience Award. Here we have a generous staff--to-resident ratio as well as flexible scheduling and wonderful benefits. Don't hesitate - apply today to join our team!
Cassia is a nonprofit, mission-driven senior care organization with over 200 years of experience. As a Cassia community, we are dedicated to fostering fullness of life for older adults by providing compassionate, high-quality care. Our Service Standards of Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Stewardship, Compassion, Collaboration, Unity, and Innovation are the bedrock of all that we do. We value inclusivity, collaboration, and professional growth, ensuring our employees feel supported in their careers. To learn more, visit our website: https://www.newtonvillage.org/
Join us and become part of a nonprofit organization that truly makes a difference!
#LI-DNI
Cassia is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action & veteran friendly employer.

Apply