ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Culinary Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Sunset Park Place

Culinary Coordinator

Dubuque, IA

Develop schedules and supervise Cooks and Culinary Assistants; participate in hiring, training, and discipline of staff. * Conduct in-service trainings and performance reviews (30-day, 90-day, and ...

The Lakeside Village

Culinary Coordinator

Panora, IA · On-site

$46K - $48K/yr

Develop schedules and supervise Cooks and Culinary Assistants; participate in hiring, training, and discipline of staff. * Conduct in-service trainings and performance reviews (30-day, 90-day, and ...

The Lakeside Village

Culinary Coordinator

Panora, IA · On-site

$46K - $48K/yr

Develop schedules and supervise Cooks and Culinary Assistants; participate in hiring, training, and discipline of staff. * Conduct in-service trainings and performance reviews (30-day, 90-day, and ...

The Lakeside Village

Culinary Coordinator

Panora, IA · On-site

$46K - $48K/yr

Develop schedules and supervise Cooks and Culinary Assistants; participate in hiring, training, and discipline of staff. * Conduct in-service trainings and performance reviews (30-day, 90-day, and ...

The Lakeside Village

Culinary Coordinator

Panora, IA

$46K - $48K/yr

Develop schedules and supervise Cooks and Culinary Assistants; participate in hiring, training, and discipline of staff. * Conduct in-service trainings and performance reviews (30-day, 90-day, and ...

WesleyLife

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA

$32K - $44K/yr

Gather resident and team member feedback. * Assist in establishing the framework for future WesleyLife culinary internship programs. * Present a final project and recommendations to WesleyLife ...

WesleyLife

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Gather resident and team member feedback. * Assist in establishing the framework for future WesleyLife culinary internship programs. * Present a final project and recommendations to WesleyLife ...

Edgewater

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Gather resident and team member feedback. * Assist in establishing the framework for future WesleyLife culinary internship programs. * Present a final project and recommendations to WesleyLife ...

WesleyLife

Culinary Innovation Specialist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$32K - $44K/yr

Gather resident and team member feedback. * Assist in establishing the framework for future WesleyLife culinary internship programs. * Present a final project and recommendations to WesleyLife ...

Cornerstone Management Inc

Culinary Aide

Nashua, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $17/hr

As a Culinary Aide, you'll assist in preparing and serving delicious, nutritious meals, ensuring individual dietary needs are met with flair and creativity. Your warm smile and attentive service will ...

Cornerstone Management

Culinary Aide

IA · On-site

$31K - $35K/yr

As a Culinary Aide, you'll assist in preparing and serving delicious, nutritious meals, ensuring individual dietary needs are met with flair and creativity. Your warm smile and attentive service will ...

Cornerstone Management

Culinary Aide

Nashua, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $17/hr

As a Culinary Aide, you'll assist in preparing and serving delicious, nutritious meals, ensuring individual dietary needs are met with flair and creativity. Your warm smile and attentive service will ...

Edgewater

Culinary Director

Pella, IA · On-site

$100/hr

As the Culinary Director with Hearthstone, you will be responsible for: * Provide leadership in the ... * Assist in all phases of planning, budgeting analysis and reporting related to the operation as ...

WesleyLife

Culinary Director

Pella, IA · On-site

$100/hr

As the Culinary Director with Hearthstone, you will be responsible for: * Provide leadership in the ... * Assist in all phases of planning, budgeting analysis and reporting related to the operation as ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

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 Sep 12, 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 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% 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-evenings/weekends

Bondurant, IA • On-site

Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossing
See more jobs at Courtyard Estates at Hawthorne Crossingexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Culinary Assistant

We are seeking a Culinary Assistant to support the kitchen, dining room, dish room, and related areas under the direction of the Culinary Coordinator. This role ensures a high-quality dining experience for residents while maintaining cleanliness, food safety, and regulatory compliance.

What You’ll Do
  • Prepare and set up the dining room for meals; serve residents and transport food to other dining areas.
  • Set and clear tables, wash dishes, and clean kitchen and dining spaces according to schedules.
  • Maintain proper sanitation and hygiene practices, including use of PPE and compliance with hair covering and hand protection regulations.
  • Report unsafe conditions and respond appropriately to alarms or emergency situations.
  • Participate in staff meetings, bi-weekly in-services, and food service safety committees.
  • Assist with scheduled activities and special events as requested.
  • Complete incident reports, work orders, and uphold confidentiality of residents and coworkers per HIPAA.
  • Follow all Policies & Procedures and comply with state regulations applicable to assisted living.
What We’re Looking For
  • High school student (14+) currently working toward a diploma; preference for high school graduates or GED holders. Must comply with state employment regulations.
  • Good communication, organizational, and listening skills.
  • Calm, friendly demeanor with patience and flexibility.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
  • Basic problem-solving skills and willingness to accept supervision.
  • Preferred experience in elderly care or hospitality settings.
The Perks That Matter:
  • Competitive salary and bonus opportunities
  • Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
  • 401(k) with match
  • Paid time off and flexible hours
  • Employee assistance program and on-demand pay
  • Career growth in a fast-growing company
About Jaybird Senior Living

We provide seniors with the exceptional care they deserve, in an extraordinary living environment. Our communities offer seniors the freedom to enjoy each day as they see fit, with the right level of care and support; helping them approach life with renewed confidence and purpose.

Since 2004, we’ve created a culture where our staff can innovate and grow — while our residents thrive and their families enjoy peace of mind.

The Minnesota Equal Pay for Equal Work Act requires employers in the state of Minnesota to disclose the following information. If the position applied to is not located in Minnesota, the following information may not apply. The base range represents the low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of our total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, we provide a variety of benefits to employees, including medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, disability insurance, 401(k) with match, paid time off (PTO), Flexible hours for better work-life balance, Employee assistance program, on-demand pay.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local laws.

Apply