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Culinary Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Sr Sous Chef

Redlands, CA

$70K - $75K/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

Sr Sous Chef

Redlands, CA · On-site

$70K - $75K/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 ...

CCL Hospitality Group

Sr Sous Chef

Redlands, CA · On-site

$70K - $75K/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 ...

Apply Early

Compass Group

Sr Sous Chef

Redlands, CA · On-site

$70K - $75K/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 ...

PF Changs

Sous Chef

Mission Viejo, CA

$23.43 - $30.42/hr

Hiring immediately for full-time hourly Sous Chefs or Assistant Kitchen Managers. Job Summary: The Sous Chef assists in leading a culinary team managing daily restaurant culinary and food service ...

Benchmark

Las Campanas Sous Chef

Riverside, CA

$52K - $70K/yr

... * Assist the Executive Chef in managing all day-to-day kitchen operations for Las Campanas. * Supervise, coach, and mentor line cooks, prep cooks, stewards, and other culinary team members. * Ensure ...

PF Changs

Sous Chef Kitchen Manager

Chino Hills, CA · On-site

$67K - $87K/yr

Hiring immediately for full-time hourly Sous Chefs or Assistant Kitchen Managers. Job Summary: The Sous Chef assists in leading a culinary team managing daily restaurant culinary and food service ...

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Culinary Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$9

$19

$35

How much do culinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary assistant in Riverside, CA is $19.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.82 and $19.57 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.
More about Culinary Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Culinary Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA? For Culinary Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Culinary Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Culinary Assistant jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Culinary Assistant jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Culinary Assistant job openings:
Culinary Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Assistant job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $41,125 per year, or $19.8 per hour.
Sr Sous Chef

Sr Sous Chef

Compass Group

Redlands, CA

$70K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,067 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

299th of 437 rated business services

Job description

Pay Grade: 13 

Salary: $70,304.00 - $75,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  

With people as our core and a deep commitment to exceptional hospitality, CCL Hospitality Group has a philosophy rooted in caring for the individuals who care for our guests. Our most significant competitive advantage is our team members. We constantly strive to strengthen our service culture. Every team member knows they matter and owns a stake in our success, delivering hospitality excellence.

With four distinct operating companies – Morrison Living, Unidine, Coreworks, and The Hub, we are shaping the industry’s future leaders with a culture of service focused on elevated hospitality for community living across the country. Join us and discover how we drive mutual success that leaves lasting impressions.

Job Summary

Job Summary:

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 cooking of various food items, developing daily menu items and their preparation and garnishment. You may be responsible for the supervision of hourly associates and working with the Executive Chef/Chef to develop new menus and assist with ordering. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, entrepreneurial Culinary professional.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assists the Executive Chef with managing cost controls and control expenditures for the account
  • Assists the Executive Chef with planning and creating menus
  • Produces and execute catering events
  • Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with Company marketing and culinary team

Preferred Qualifications:

  • A.O.S. Degree in Culinary Arts or culinary certificate and required experience
  • Some progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training
  • Catering experience a plus
  • High volume, complex foodservice operations experience - highly desirable
  • Institutional and batch cooking experiences helpful
  • Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
  • Must be experienced with computers; to include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point), Outlook, E-mail and the Internet
  • Must be willing to participate in patient satisfaction programs/activities 
  • ServSafe certified - highly desirable

Apply to CCL today!

CCL is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

 

Associates at CCL are offered many fantastic benefits. 

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • Associate Shopping Program
  • Health and Wellness Programs
  • Discount Marketplace
  • Identity Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_CCL.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/ 

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

CCL maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1535656

CCL Hospitality Group

Caitlin Pham

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