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Culinary Assistant Jobs in Portland, ME (NOW HIRING)

Avita of Brunswick

Culinary Aide - Part Time

Brunswick, ME · On-site

$15.10 - $20.25/hr

... * Assist in cleaning pots, pans, and keeping the kitchen area spick and span. * Be the hero of ... Our Culinary team does more than serve meals; we create memories and build connections. Join us and ...

EOS Hospitality

Sous Chef

Kennebunkport, ME

$63K - $65K/hr

Support Chef/Culinary Director in creative, cost appropriate menu items based on market segments. Assist in the development and implementation of recipes and/or specials. * Lead training and ...

EOS Hospitality

Sous Chef

Kennebunkport, ME · On-site

$52K - $70K/yr

Support Chef/Culinary Director in creative, cost appropriate menu items based on market segments. Assist in the development and implementation of recipes and/or specials. * Lead training and ...

American Dining Creations

Sous Chef

Portland, ME

$50K - $68K/yr

Responsibilities: * Assist the Executive Chef with all culinary points of service including food stations and catering events. * Provide guidance and supervise BOH staff. * Ensure recipe standards ...

EOS Hospitality

Sous Chef

Kennebunkport, ME · On-site

$52K - $70K/yr

Support Chef/Culinary Director in creative, cost appropriate menu items based on market segments. Assist in the development and implementation of recipes and/or specials. * Lead training and ...

EOS Hospitality

Sous Chef

Kennebunkport, ME

$63K - $65K/hr

Support Chef/Culinary Director in creative, cost appropriate menu items based on market segments. Assist in the development and implementation of recipes and/or specials. * Lead training and ...

Parkhurst Dining

Sous Chef

Portland, ME

$22 - $24/hr

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS · Manage and direct all culinary staff to ensure standards and quality are being followed by each staff member. · Assist in purchasing all food, paper, cleaning, bakery, and ...

Compass Group

SENIOR SOUS CHEF

Portland, ME · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Working as the Senior Sous Chef , you will be responsible for assisting in the successful operation of the Culinary Department for a facility. You will assist in the supervision, preparation, and ...

Compass Group

SENIOR SOUS CHEF

Portland, ME · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Working as the Senior Sous Chef , you will be responsible for assisting in the successful operation of the Culinary Department for a facility. You will assist in the supervision, preparation, and ...

Unidine

SENIOR SOUS CHEF

Portland, ME · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Working as the Senior Sous Chef , you will be responsible for assisting in the successful operation of the Culinary Department for a facility. You will assist in the supervision, preparation, and ...

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Culinary Assistant information

See Portland, ME salary details

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How much do culinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary assistant in Portland, ME is $19.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.72 and $19.47 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 Portland, ME?

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Portland, ME are:

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Assistant jobs in Portland, ME?

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

What job categories do people searching Culinary Assistant jobs in Portland, ME look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Assistant jobs in Portland, ME are:

What cities near Portland, ME are hiring for Culinary Assistant jobs?

Cities near Portland, ME with the most Culinary Assistant job openings:

Culinary Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Assistant job openings in Portland, ME 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 $40,331 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Culinary Supervisor

Old Orchard Beach, ME

Regional School Unit 23
See more jobs at Regional School Unit 23external

$50K - $55K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

RSU #23
Old Orchard Beach Schools
Chef & Culinary Supervisor 1.0 FTE

START: Immediately

RSU 23 Old Orchard Beach Schools is seeking a collaborative Chef & Culinary Supervisor with strong culinary skills to join our Food & Nutrition Services team .Located a half mile from the Atlantic Ocean and 15 minutes from Portland, our 700-student, three-school district is looking for a culinary leader who can bring creativity, nutrition expertise, and hands-on kitchen leadership to our school meal programs.

Position Overview: Working under the Food Services Director, you'll help shape nutritious, appealing menus for breakfast and lunch across the district, supervise daily food service operations, and mentor kitchen staff. This role blends culinary skill with program leadership, from recipe development and scratch cooking initiatives to student engagement, nutrition education, and compliance with federal school meal standards. You'll also help lead Farm-to-School efforts, wellness initiatives, and district-wide programs like composting or greenhouse operations.

Schedule & Commitment: This is a school-year position with additional hours during the summer to support seasonal planning and program needs.

What You'll Do:

  • Support the Food Services Director in developing and overseeing nutritious school breakfast and lunch menus
  • Supervise daily food service operations and provide leadership, coaching, and support to staff
  • Gather student feedback through focus groups and other methods to improve meal selections
  • Review and adjust recipes to reduce sodium, fat, and sugar in line with federal guidelines
  • Work with Kitchen Managers to ensure recipes are followed correctly
  • Help increase fruit and vegetable consumption through recipes, cooking techniques, and presentation
  • Partner with School Nutrition Program staff and principals to boost participation in school meal programs
  • Assist with Farm-to-School initiatives and local food procurement
  • Provide culinary training to school nutrition staff annually and as needed
  • Develop student-approved recipes that incorporate more scratch cooking
  • Develop promotions for events like National School Breakfast Week, School Lunch Week, and Nutrition Month
  • Provide nutrition education for students, food service staff, and support staff wellness
  • Stay current on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and lead training and implementation for compliance
  • Review and handle special catering requests
  • Help coordinate the School Wellness Team and support the School Wellness Policy
  • Work with the Food Services Director on district-wide initiatives such as composting or greenhouse operations
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Food & Nutrition Services

What We Value:

  • Culinary expertise paired with a passion for student nutrition
  • Strong leadership and coaching skills
  • Creativity in menu development and scratch cooking
  • Collaborative, solution-oriented approach
  • Commitment to health, wellness, and food quality in schools

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Current and valid CHRC (criminal history record check), more information can be found here: https://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting
  • 2 or 4-year college degree (preferred)
  • ServSafe Manager certification within 6 months of hire

SALARY RANGE: $50,000 - $55,000

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
RSU 23 is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Apply Online
Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview
Contact Cynthia Potenza, HR Manager, if you have any questions regarding the online application process at 207-934-5751 x1925
Hiring Manager: Leah Botko, lbotko@rsu23.org, 207-934-5751 x1239





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