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Culinary Chef Jobs in Arkansas (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

Campus Executive Chef

Springdale, AR · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Provide strategic culinary leadership for all campus dining operations, including cafes, conference services, catering, and special events. * Lead, develop, and mentor culinary managers, sous chefs ...

Compass Group

Campus Executive Chef

Springdale, AR · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Job Summary As the Campus Executive Chef , you will lead all culinary operations across a dynamic complex environment, overseeing multiple dining venues, cafés, conference services, catering ...

PF Changs

Assistant Executive Chef

Rogers, AR · On-site

$67K - $92K/yr

The Senior Sous Chef or Kitchen Manager or Chef De Cuisine leads a culinary team managing daily ... Lead a high volume, scratch kitchen culinary team with food prep and execution of menu items ...

SeaWorld

Executive Chef

Busch, AR

$62K - $85K/yr

You'll oversee all daily Culinary Operations of Restaurants, Carts & Kiosks, Specialty Snacks ... Manage all kitchen (back of house) staff including the Sous Chefs, production bakery staff and all ...

YaYas Euro Bistro

Restaurant Sous Chef

Little Rock, AR

$39K - $53K/yr

Restaurant Sous Chef If you're looking for a management opportunity where you can add a touch of ... You must possess culinary creativity, strong knowledge of local, state and federal food sanitation ...

Resort Lifestyle Communities

Sous Chef

Rogers, AR · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Previous leadership in culinary preparation and cooking preferred. * High school diploma or ... In the Executive Chef's absence, you will step in to provide leadership, guiding the culinary team ...

Resort Lifestyle Communities

Sous Chef

Rogers, AR · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

Previous leadership in culinary preparation and cooking preferred. * High school diploma or ... In the Executive Chef's absence, you will step in to provide leadership, guiding the culinary team ...

Upper Crust Food Service

Field Sous Chef

Fayetteville, AR · On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

The Field Sous Chef is a campus-wide culinary role designed to provide agile daily coverage across all houses on a qualifying campus and to serve as the on-campus bench for permanent Chef openings.

Culinaire

Executive Chef

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$83K - $88K/yr

Our Culinary mission will combine art and dining, presenting a locally sourced and inspired cuisine with high standards of sustainability Job Summary Working as the Executive Chef, you will be ...

Compass Group

Executive Chef

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$83K - $88K/yr

Our Culinary mission will combine art and dining, presenting a locally sourced and inspired cuisine with high standards of sustainability Job Summary Working as the Executive Chef, you will be ...

Compass Group

Executive Chef

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$83K - $88K/yr

Our Culinary mission will combine art and dining, presenting a locally sourced and inspired cuisine with high standards of sustainability Job Summary Working as the Executive Chef, you will be ...

Compass Group

Executive Chef

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$83K - $88K/yr

Our Culinary mission will combine art and dining, presenting a locally sourced and inspired cuisine with high standards of sustainability Job Summary Working as the Executive Chef, you will be ...

Stonebridge Companies

$20 - $25/hr

... Chef ... This role involves overseeing the culinary staff and stewards, ensuring compliance with health and ...

Nwacc

$14/hr

Applicants need to be competent in the kitchen and be willing to lead children participating in culinary consumer based classes/ culinary camps when necessary. Essential Duties: * Support Chef ...

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

$14/hr

Applicants need to be competent in the kitchen and be willing to lead children participating in culinary consumer based classes/ culinary camps when necessary. Essential Duties: * Support Chef ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Working as the Sous Chef, you will be responsible for the successful operation of the Culinary ... Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with Company marketing and culinary team Preferred ...

Compass Group

Sous Chef - Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR · On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Working as the Sous Chef, you will be responsible for the successful operation of the Culinary ... Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with Company marketing and culinary team Preferred ...

MMI Hotel Group

Executive Chef

Fayetteville, AR · On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

Stonebreaker Hotel is looking for an Executive Chef. If you have a passion for food and customer ... If you have a culinary degree (or equivalent work experience) and can work nights and weekends ...

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Culinary Chef information

See Arkansas salary details

$8

$14

$23

How much do culinary chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary chef in Arkansas is $14.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.31 and $15.29 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary chef?

A Culinary Chef needs expert knowledge of cooking techniques, food safety regulations, and menu planning, often supported by a culinary arts degree or professional certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and specialized culinary tools is typically required. Creativity, time management, and leadership are crucial soft skills that help chefs excel in high-pressure kitchen environments. These skills ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality dishes, efficient kitchen operations, and effective team coordination.

What are some common challenges culinary chefs face when managing a kitchen team?

Culinary Chefs often encounter challenges such as coordinating a diverse team with varying skill levels, handling high-pressure situations during peak service hours, and ensuring consistent quality across all dishes. Effective communication and leadership are essential to delegate tasks, resolve conflicts, and maintain a positive work environment. Successful chefs also need to adapt quickly to last-minute changes, such as special dietary requests or ingredient shortages, all while upholding safety and sanitation standards.

What is the difference between Culinary Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectCulinary ChefLine Cook
CredentialsFormal culinary training or certification often preferredBasic culinary skills, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentKitchen management, menu planning, overseeing kitchen staffPreparing specific dishes on the kitchen line
Industry UsageLeads kitchen operations, develops recipesExecutes dishes as per instructions
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in culinary settingsLearning about entry-level or specialized kitchen positions

The main difference between a Culinary Chef and a Line Cook is that a Culinary Chef typically has leadership responsibilities, menu planning, and more extensive culinary training, while a Line Cook focuses on preparing specific dishes on the kitchen line under supervision. Culinary Chefs oversee kitchen operations, whereas Line Cooks execute dishes as part of a team. Both roles are essential in the culinary industry but differ in scope and responsibilities.

How do you become a culinary chef?

To become a culinary chef, individuals typically complete formal culinary education through culinary schools or programs, gain hands-on experience in kitchens, and develop skills in cooking techniques and kitchen management. Many chefs also pursue certifications such as ServSafe or other food safety credentials to enhance their qualifications.

Is 25 too late to become a culinary chef?

There is no age limit to becoming a culinary chef, and many successful chefs start their careers later in life. Skills such as cooking techniques, creativity, and experience can be developed at any age through culinary schools, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training.

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Chef jobs in AR?

For Culinary Chef jobs in AR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Culinary Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Chef job openings in Arkansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $31,010 per year, or $14.9 per hour.

Campus Executive Chef

Springdale, AR • On-site

Compass Group
Catering • 10K+ employees

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,095 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

350th of 499 rated business services

Free food

People enjoy working here

Recommended by students

Learn more about Compass Groupexternal

$100K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Position Title: Campus Executive Chef

Salary:  $100,000 - $120,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Bonus Plan 

A family of companies and experiences

As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If you've been hungry and away from home, chances are you've tasted Compass Group's delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today!

great people. great services. great results.

Each and every individual plays a key role in the growth and legacy of our company. We know the next big idea can come from anyone. We encourage developing and attracting expertise that differentiates us as a company as we continue to raise the bar.

Job Summary
As the Campus Executive Chef, you will lead all culinary operations across a dynamic complex environment, overseeing multiple dining venues, cafes, conference services, catering programs, and large-scale special events. This highly visible leadership role is responsible for delivering exceptional food experiences while fostering a culture of culinary excellence, innovation, safety, and hospitality.
 
The Campus Executive Chef serves as the culinary leader for the account, partnering with operations, hospitality, conference services, and client stakeholders to create memorable dining experiences that reflect current trends, diverse consumer preferences, and organizational goals. This position requires flexibility to support evenings, weekends, holidays, and high-profile events as business needs dictate.
 
Key Responsibilities
  • Provide strategic culinary leadership for all campus dining operations, including cafes, conference services, catering, and special events.
  • Lead, develop, and mentor culinary managers, sous chefs, and kitchen teams to achieve operational and service excellence.
  • Create and execute innovative menus that balance guest expectations, seasonality, wellness initiatives, sustainability goals, and financial performance.
  • Oversee culinary execution for large-scale events, executive functions, conferences, receptions, and VIP hospitality experiences.
  • Ensure consistent food quality, presentation standards, and guest satisfaction across multiple dining locations.
  • Collaborate with leadership teams to develop and implement new culinary concepts, promotions, and dining experiences.
  • Manage food and labor budgets, inventory controls, purchasing programs, and cost-containment initiatives.
  • Partner with conference services, catering, and operations teams to successfully plan and execute events of varying size and complexity.
  • Conduct menu tastings, evaluate food presentation, and continuously improve dining offerings based on client and guest feedback.
  • Maintain compliance with all food safety, sanitation, regulatory, and company standards.
  • Build strong relationships with vendors and suppliers to ensure product quality, availability, and value.
  • Stay informed on culinary trends, emerging ingredients, sustainability practices, and industry best practices.
  • Support recruitment, training, succession planning, and professional development initiatives within the culinary team.
  • Participate in account planning, client presentations, and business initiatives that enhance the overall dining program.
  • Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and positive work environment focused on teamwork, engagement, and continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
  • Degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent combination of culinary training and professional experience.
  • Progressive culinary leadership experience within high-volume food service, hospitality, campus dining, hotels, conference centers, corporate dining, or catering operations.
  • Experience leading complex culinary programs that include cafes, conference services, catering, and special event execution.
  • Demonstrated success managing large teams in fast-paced, multi-outlet environments.
  • Experience developing menus and culinary programs that drive engagement and guest satisfaction.
  • Strong financial acumen with knowledge of food cost management, labor planning, forecasting, and inventory controls.
  • Knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation standards, and operational compliance requirements.
  • Ability to lead and inspire teams through coaching, development, and inclusive leadership practices.
  • Excellent communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
  • Comfortable balancing multiple priorities while adapting to changing business needs.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and food service management systems.
  • Passion for hospitality, innovation, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Apply to Compass Group today!

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

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. 

Compass Corporate maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Corporate are offered many fantastic benefits.

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

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_CorpAndFoodbuy.pdf

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

Req ID:  1559624

Compass Corporate 

Michael Abbey 

[[req_classification]] 

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