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Culinary Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

About the Position The Culinary Externship Program with Colonial Williamsburg Company strives to provide a diverse experience in high quality culinary operations. The Historic Area of Colonial ...

Culinary Specialist

Bluemont, VA · On-site

$35K - $47K/yr

The Culinary Specialist and Horticultural Specialist of Boulder Crest Foundation is responsible to ... Observe disease control practices at all times. * Assist Property Manager in maintaining the ...

Adhere to the facility's health and safety policies and procedures * Assist team members and ... culinary operations, restaurants, supervisor, dietary department, foodservice, hourly manager ...

Adhere to the facility's health and safety policies and procedures * Assist team members and ... culinary operations, restaurants, supervisor, dietary department, foodservice, hourly manager ...

Adhere to the facility's health and safety policies and procedures * Assist team members and ... culinary operations, restaurants, supervisor, dietary department, foodservice, hourly manager ...

Adhere to the facility's health and safety policies and procedures * Assist team members and ... culinary operations, restaurants, supervisor, dietary department, foodservice, hourly manager ...

JOB OVERVIEW As a Restaurant Culinary Manager, you will be responsible for the daily operations of ... assistant Parker. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Culinary Assistant information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$18

$33

How much do culinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary assistant in Virginia is $18.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.00 and $18.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Culinary Assistants?

Culinary Assistants are professionals who support chefs and kitchen staff in food preparation and kitchen maintenance. Their responsibilities typically include preparing ingredients, assisting with cooking tasks, cleaning work areas, and ensuring food safety standards are met. Culinary Assistants play a key role in keeping the kitchen organized and running smoothly, which helps deliver high-quality meals efficiently. They may work in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, or institutional kitchens such as schools and hospitals.

Who is a culinary assistant?

A culinary assistant supports chefs and kitchen staff by preparing ingredients, maintaining cleanliness, and assisting with cooking tasks. They often work in restaurants, catering, or food service environments and may need basic culinary skills and knowledge of food safety practices.

What qualifications do you need to be a kitchen assistant?

To be a culinary assistant, basic qualifications typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, good communication skills, and the ability to follow safety and hygiene standards. Some positions may require food safety certification or prior experience in a kitchen environment.

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 does a culinary aide do?

A culinary aide assists in food preparation, cooking, and serving in kitchens such as hospitals, schools, or catering services. They may handle tasks like chopping ingredients, cleaning workstations, and following safety and hygiene standards under supervision.

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 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 jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Culinary assistants typically do not earn $4,000 per week without specialized experience or additional responsibilities. High-paying roles that can reach this level without a degree are rare and often involve entrepreneurship, sales, real estate, or skilled trades where income depends on commissions, tips, or business success. Most jobs paying this amount require significant experience, certifications, or entrepreneurial effort.
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Virginia are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Assistant jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Assistant jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Culinary Assistant jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Culinary Assistant job openings:
Culinary Extern

Culinary Extern

Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg, VA • On-site

$19.91/hr

Part-time

Posted 13 days ago


Colonial Williamsburg rating

5.3

Company rating: 5.3 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

23rd of 27 rated museums


Job description

Who We Are
Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is "that the future may learn from the past" through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.
Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.
About the Position
The Culinary Externship Program with Colonial Williamsburg Company strives to provide a diverse experience in high quality culinary operations. The Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg offers a la carte, quick service and special events opportunities to develop skills and hone your craft.
Candidates should be enrolled in or recent graduates of a Culinary program.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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