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Culinary Assistant Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

UW Health

Culinary Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$18.50 - $21.21/hr

We are seeking a Culinary Assistant who: * Prioritizes patient care above all other duties. * Accurately assembles and delivers patient meal trays to adult and pediatric patients who have medically ...

UWHealth

Culinary Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

We are seeking a Culinary Assistant who: * Prioritizes patient care above all other duties. * Accurately assembles and delivers patient meal trays to adult and pediatric patients who have medically ...

UWHealth

Culinary Production Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$16 - $20.75/hr

We are seeking a Culinary Assistant who: * Prioritizes patient care above all other duties. * Accurately assembles and delivers patient meal trays to adult and pediatric patients who have medically ...

UW Health

Culinary Production Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$18.50 - $21.21/hr

We are seeking a Culinary Assistant who: * Prioritizes patient care above all other duties. * Accurately assembles and delivers patient meal trays to adult and pediatric patients who have medically ...

UW Health

Culinary Retail Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$18.50 - $21.21/hr

We are seeking a Culinary Retail Assistant who: * Provides excellent customer service for all patients, families, staff, and visitors. * Accurately sets up meal service lines, portioning food items ...

UW Health

Culinary Retail Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

$18.50 - $21.21/hr

Culinary Retail Assistants are eligible for: * Paid time off, including 15 days of vacation time for full-time employees. * A free bus pass to assist with transportation to and from work.

UWHealth

Culinary Retail Assistant

Madison, WI · On-site

We are seeking a Culinary Retail Assistant who: * Provides excellent customer service for all patients, families, staff, and visitors. * Accurately sets up meal service lines, portioning food items ...

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Culinary Assistant information

See Madison, WI salary details

$9

$18

$33

How much do culinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary assistant in Madison, WI is $18.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.10 and $18.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

More about Culinary Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Madison, WI? The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Madison, WI are:
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Assistant jobs in Madison, WI? For Culinary Assistant jobs in Madison, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Assistant jobs in Madison, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Assistant jobs in Madison, WI are:
What cities near Madison, WI are hiring for Culinary Assistant jobs? Cities near Madison, WI with the most Culinary Assistant job openings:
Culinary Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Assistant job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,291 per year, or $18.9 per hour.

Culinary Assistant

UW Health

Madison, WI • On-site

$18.50 - $21.21/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

UW Health rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 223 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

109th of 887 rated healthcare providers

Job description


Work Schedule:
100% FTE, Day/Evening Shift. Hours are 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm Monday through Friday with every other weekend required. Hours may vary based on the operational needs of the department. You will work at East Madison Hospital.
Be part of something remarkable
Join the #1 hospital in Wisconsin! Put your passion for food and culinary experience to use and join our remarkable culinary team. You will support the patient meals operation, retail food service operation, and production area.
We are seeking a Culinary Assistant who:
  • Prioritizes patient care above all other duties.
  • Accurately assembles and delivers patient meal trays to adult and pediatric patients who have medically prescribed diets.
  • Provides outstanding customer service by politely greeting and promptly serving customers.
  • Sanitizes dishes, cookware, equipment, and environment.

At UW Health, you will have:
  • An excellent benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, two-week paid parental leave and adoption assistance.
  • Options for a variety of schedules and shifts that offer flexibility and allow for work-life balance.
  • Access to great resources through the UW Health Employee Wellbeing Department that supports your emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
  • Tuition benefits eligibility - UW Health invests in your professional growth by helping pay for coursework associated with career advancement.
  • The opportunity to earn a referral bonus for referring friends, former colleagues or others to apply for open, posted positions.

Qualifications
  • High School Diploma or GED Preferred

Work Experience
  • Food service and/or customer service experience Preferred

Licenses & Certifications
  • ServSafe Certification Preferred

Our Commitment to Social Impact and Belonging
UW Health is committed to fostering a workplace that creates belonging for everyone and is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Our respect for people shines through patient care interactions and our daily work practices as we work to embrace the knowledge, unique perspectives and qualities each employee and faculty member brings to work each day. It is the policy of UW Health to provide equal opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
East Madison Hospital - is UW Health's newest hospital and one of the most advanced hospitals and wellness centers in the country. Here, health care is seen as a holistic endeavor where our mission is to not only diagnose and treat you when you're sick, but also to partner with you in health and wellness.
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UW Hospital and Clinics benefits

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About UW Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

UW Health Clinics - our physicians and staff are dedicated to providing an exceptional patient and family experience by delivering the highest quality of care in a compassionate environment. With more than 80 primary and specialty care clinics located throughout Dane County and the surrounding areas, we are proud to have the opportunity to impact the communities we serve.

Industry

Health care and social assistance and hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Madison, WI, US

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