ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Culinary Lab Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

OSI INDUSTRIES, LLC

Dishwasher

Aurora, IL

$21.05/hr

... lab. This position ensures all cookware, utensils, dishes, and food preparation equipment are ... Restock clean dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment throughout the facility. * Assist culinary ...

OSI Group

Dishwasher

Aurora, IL

$16.84 - $25.25/hr

... and culinary innovation lab. This position ensures all cookware, utensils, dishes, and food ... • Assist culinary staff with basic kitchen support tasks during slower periods, including ...

OSI Group

Dishwasher

Aurora, IL · On-site

$16.84 - $25.25/hr

... and culinary innovation lab. This position ensures all cookware, utensils, dishes, and food ... • Assist culinary staff with basic kitchen support tasks during slower periods, including ...

All JobsCulinary Lab JobsCulinary Lab Assistant JobsCulinary Lab Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL

Culinary Lab Assistant information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$10

$20

$30

How much do culinary lab assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary lab assistant in Chicago, IL is $20.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $23.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary lab assistant?

Culinary Lab Assistants are professionals who support chefs and instructors in educational or research kitchens, often in culinary schools, food science labs, or research facilities. They help with food preparation, equipment setup, ingredient measurement, and maintaining cleanliness and safety standards. Their responsibilities may also include assisting with experiments, recipe testing, and documenting results. Culinary Lab Assistants play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of culinary labs and supporting learning or research objectives.

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

To thrive as a Culinary Lab Assistant, you need foundational culinary knowledge, attention to detail, and a relevant degree or certification in culinary arts or food science. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, food safety regulations, and inventory management systems is typically required. Strong organizational skills, teamwork, and effective communication help you support chefs and instructors efficiently. These skills ensure safe, smooth kitchen operations and contribute to a productive learning or research environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a culinary lab assistant, and how can they be overcome?

Culinary Lab Assistants often face the challenge of working in fast-paced, high-pressure environments where precision and time management are crucial. They must accurately follow recipes, maintain lab cleanliness, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, such as prepping ingredients and assisting with experiments. To overcome these challenges, it's important to develop strong organizational skills, communicate effectively with chefs and other team members, and stay adaptable to changing priorities. Embracing a proactive attitude and seeking feedback can also help improve performance and contribute to a positive lab environment.

What is the difference between Culinary Lab Assistant vs Culinary Instructor?

AspectCulinary Lab AssistantCulinary Instructor
CredentialsFood safety certifications, culinary trainingCooking certifications, teaching credentials
Work EnvironmentKitchen labs, food testing facilitiesClassrooms, culinary schools
Employer & IndustryFood labs, culinary schools, research centersEducational institutions, culinary academies
Primary RoleAssist in food prep, maintain lab equipment, support testingTeach culinary skills, develop curriculum, evaluate students

The main difference is that a Culinary Lab Assistant supports food testing and preparation in a lab setting, while a Culinary Instructor focuses on teaching culinary skills and curriculum development. Both roles require culinary knowledge, but their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Culinary Lab Assistant jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Culinary Lab Assistant jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Culinary Lab Assistant jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary Lab Assistant jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Culinary Lab Assistant jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Culinary Lab Assistant job openings:

Culinary Lab Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Lab Assistant job openings in Chicago, IL 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 $43,383 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Lab Assistant - Hospitality Management

Palatine, IL • On-site

Harper College
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 627 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Uninterrupted breaks

Learn more about Harper Collegeexternal

Part-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

Work is primarily indoors in a kitchen setting. A major portion of the work is physical including standing, stooping, using step stool to stock supplies, traveling between classrooms and buildings as well as organizing kitchen and kitchen equipment. Must be able to lift and transport a minimum of 50 lbs. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Equipment/Tools Used:

Works with standard commercial kitchen tools and appliances to aid in student project development and perform light maintenance and adjustments on departmental machinery and equipment. Utilizes computers and standard office equipment. 

Supervision:

Under the general supervision of the Program Coordinator and reports to the CTP Operations Manager. The Program Coordinator will provide oral and written instructions and guidance. Assists and supports any hospitality and culinary instructors.

Education:

Certificate in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts or related field preferred.  Associate degree in one of the mentioned areas or equivalent work experience and/or certification/degree preferred.

Experience:

Working knowledge and demonstrated skills in using specific food preparation equipment and previous experience working in a commercial kitchen. Experience in inventory control, order planning and safe food storage.  At least 2 years work experience in Hotel or Restaurant industry. Working knowledge of Microsoft software, including Excel and Word required. Familiarity with Oracle, Banner, Adobe Professional, and/or Microsoft Teams preferred. Experience in higher education setting preferred. ServSafe certified preferred.

Provides support to instructors with lab, lab preparation (including services in The Dining Room) and student projects.

Assists faculty in lab set up and assists students with safety procedures in classroom. Guides students in tutorial setting.

Provides cleaning and minor adjustments of department equipment. Schedules maintenance appointments as necessary, either through third party providers or Harper facilities.

Assists in identifying equipment needed for departmental relevancy and safety, both consumable and capital expenses.

Supports faculty in selecting and ordering supplies, both perishable and shelf stable.

Ensures the maintenance of the laboratories and storage areas by inventorying, ordering, unpacking, and storing of supplies and equipment.

In partnership with the Program Coordinator, monitors departmental budget and purchase orders.

Participates in program workshops, information sessions, recruitment and special events to assist with the promotion and visibility of the Hospitality Program.

Provides an initial point of contact for the college community for directing inquiries to appropriate program faculty.

Provides direction to student aides to ensure maximum efficiency in their daily tasks.

Monitors and assists in the maintenance of industry credentials and certifications.

Ensures that all equipment, tools and supplies are in order and secure before leaving the laboratory.

Performs clerical assignments, such as making copies, filing documents, preparing reports, etc., and other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator.

Performs related duties as assigned.

What Harper College employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply