1

Culinary Assistant Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

Cook

Providence, RI

$14.25 - $19/hr

Actively participate in a team setting, with keen attention to customer service, and to culinary ... Date, rotate and properly store any incoming products. Assist in the ordering process, by informing ...

Cook

Westerly, RI · On-site

$16 - $23/hr

... culinary staff, and service staff to ensure proper pace of service and quality of food is maintained. Complete required reports and paperwork after each shift as directed by supervisor. Assist with ...

Cook

Westerly, RI · On-site

$19 - $22/hr

... culinary staff, and service staff to ensure proper pace of service and quality of food is maintained. Complete required reports and paperwork after each shift as directed by supervisor. Assist with ...

Line Cook

Smithfield, RI · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

You will assist in the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals in our professional kitchen ... Previous experience in cooking, culinary arts, or other related fields * Knowledge of kitchen ...

Line Cook

Smithfield, RI · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

You will assist in the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals in our professional kitchen ... Previous experience in cooking, culinary arts, or other related fields * Knowledge of kitchen ...

Cook Campus Dining- Middletown

Middletown, RI · On-site

$14 - $18.75/hr

Adhere to SAGE's safety and allergy prevention policies. * Assist in training new Cooks and culinary Team Members. * Adapt to additional responsibilities as assigned by management. * Endure exposure ...

Food Service - Sous Chef

Providence, RI · On-site

$50K - $68K/yr

We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a ... * Assist in menu pricing and preparation. * Estimate food consumption for events and request ...

Chef De Partie

Westerly, RI · On-site

$24 - $25/hr

Constantly and consistently exhibit Ocean House Culture and standards of behavior including adherence to the Forbes 5-Star standards. Assist & supervise the culinary staff of their designated ...

Dishwasher

Lincoln, RI · On-site

$11.75 - $15.25/hr

Work closely with the Director of Culinary Services and/or Executive Director to keep residents ... Keep kitchen floors clean (sweeps and mops) and trash emptied. * Assist with the preparation and ...

Pastry Cook

Newport, RI · On-site

$23/hr

With your energy and enthusiasm, you'll assist in the preparation, baking, and presentation of a ... College degree or certification in culinary field/hospitality field preferred * Food/Beverage ...

Showing results 41-60

Culinary Assistant information

See Rhode Island salary details

$9

$18

$32

How much do culinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary assistant in Rhode Island is $18.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.81 and $18.37 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.

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

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Rhode Island are:

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

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

What cities in Rhode Island are hiring for Culinary Assistant jobs?

Cities in Rhode Island with the most Culinary Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Culinary Assistant job openings in Rhode Island as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,604 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

$14.25 - $19/hr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Rhode Island School Of Design rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

149th of 627 rated colleges and universities


Job description

OVERVIEW:

A hands-on position requiring preparation of a wide variety of menu items utilizing a range of cooking methods including grilling, frying, sauteing, and baking and utilizing various kitchen equipment. Actively participate in a team setting, with keen attention to customer service, and to culinary and visual detail in support of dining's mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

In support of Dining and Catering's mission and values, the incumbent may be called upon to perform any one or a combination of the following functions listed below.

  • Acknowledge customers in a professional and timely manner, preparing food items (to order) utilizing a range of cooking methods, including grilling, stir frying, saute, and baking.

  • Consult with direct supervisor and other cooks as to seasoning, appearance and presentation of menu items on serving line. Maintain and adhere to recipe standards and portion controls to ensure consistent product and presentation. Work within a team setting to take constructive feedback, offer constructive feedback.

  • Perform pre-preparation work including gathering meats, frozen items and canned goods, cleaning raw produce, etc. Anticipate needs and maintain production schedules to assure timely preparation of items for meals.

  • Prepare foods for and set up a variety of served and self-service stations including but not limited to; deli station, salad bar, vegan bar and bakery displays for each meal.

  • Follow proper sanitation procedures and standards, maintaining high standards for safety and appearance of all dining and food preparation areas and equipment. Maintain cleanliness of cooking areas, equipment, freezers, and refrigerators.

  • Receive vendor deliveries. Date, rotate and properly store any incoming products. Assist in the ordering process, by informing the Supervisor or Manager of items that are required or out of stack and may be called upon to place some orders directly, and establishment and maintenance of par levels as well, assist and support inventory and inventory controls for all food and supplies.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
High school diploma required or an equivalent combination of education and experience with at least one year of experience as a cook or other related employment, with progressive responsibility, in a fast-paced, high volume restaurant or institutional foodservice setting with high quality standards. Strong oral communication skills required, including the ability to effectively communicate with diverse and multilingual populations. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team setting. Basic computer skills or willingness and ability to learn. Rhode Island sanitation/ServSafe certification is required or must be attained within orientation and review period.

  • Preference for any one of, or a combination of, the following:

  • Additional culinary education;

  • Prior experience working in a commissary production kitchen and/or catering environment;

  • Past experience mentoring and imparting job-related knowledge to others.

  • Executing upon seasonal menus

  • Experience using Menu Management systems;

  • Recipe testing and updating and/or writing;

  • Experience with authentic cookery of international cuisines, especially Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Spanish, and Latino.

  • Prior cash handling experience.

  • A valid driver's license and safe driving record.

Union

Teamsters Local 251

Work Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Five days per week, hours vary. Coverage is seven days per week (two days off) while school is in session and can include daytime, evening, and weekend hours.

All dining and catering staff are considered essential personnel to the school and are therefore required to attend work even when the school is closed.

Employment Status(Temp, Term, On-call, etc)

Regular, Full-Time

Grade

815NE

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Strongly Preferred)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.


The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.


RISD recognizes inclusion and belonging as fundamental to its learning and working community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to this community and to our commitment to excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.


For internal use only - Job Family:

Dining - Culinary

What Rhode Island School Of Design employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom