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Culinary Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Sous Chef - Assistant Chef

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$30 - $32/hr

Some culinary schooling preferred * 3-5 years of related work experience * Equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. * ServSafe ...

Some culinary schooling preferred * 3-5 years of related work experience * Equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. * ServSafe ...

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Culinary Assistant information

See Riverside, CA salary details

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$35

How much do culinary assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 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.

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.

What do chef assistants do?

Chef assistants support chefs by preparing ingredients, cooking, and maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen. They may also handle tasks such as organizing supplies, following safety standards, and assisting with food plating. Strong organizational skills and knowledge of kitchen equipment are important for this role.
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:
Student Assistant - Chemical and Materials Engineering #705064515

Student Assistant - Chemical and Materials Engineering #705064515

Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, Inc.

Pomona, CA โ€ข On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

Other

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises Employment Services

ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY

SUMMARY: The Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises is currently searching for part-time Undergraduate Student Assistants to work on a sponsored project in the Chemical and Materials Department, under the supervision of Dr. Vilupanur Ravi, Principal Investigator.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WILL GET TO DO (this is just a small sampling of work variety):

  • The part-time student assistant will conduct laboratory tests related to corrosion, and carry out materials characterization relevant to the project

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Must be a Cal Poly Student pursuing a degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
  • Experience in conducting aqueous corrosion experiments.
  • Excellent English verbal communication and writing skills.
  • Responsible and dependable.
  • Motivated, innovative, and shows initiative.
  • Ability to work well with various people including students, faculty, and staff.

PREFERRED:

  • Experience with a range of instruments relevant to materials science and engineering

ABOUT US: As the largest employer of students on the Cal Poly Pomona campus, the Enterprises offers valuable work experience and hands-on training to approximately 1,500 Cal Poly Pomona students each year. The Enterprises offers positions in various fields; whether it is in the area of technology, science, retail, culinary arts, hospitality1500 management, leadership or research grants, these student employees participate in Cal Poly Pomona's learn-by-doing philosophy and acquire practical skills in their designated field of study.

The Enterprises also contributes operating support to nearly 1,100 Enterprises and scholarship programs every year, including Bronco Athletics and the Norman J. Priest Scholarship. In addition, the Enterprises administers grants and contracts, contributes to campus security, and supports several university publications. The Enterprises contributes over $1 million annually to Cal Poly Pomona.

CSU along with Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises strongly recommend faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare an exemption from doing so. The systemwide policy can be found at COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Policy and any questions may be sent to fdnhr@cpp.edu.

Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, Inc. may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodation with the employer.