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Culinary Professional Jobs in Normal, IL (NOW HIRING)

Compass Group

CHEF

East Peoria, IL

$45K - $48K/yr

This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, entrepreneurial Culinary professional. Essential Duties and Responsibilities : * Provides frontline culinary resources and support. * Assists with ...

Epiphany Farms Hospitality Group

Sous Chef

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$48K - $64K/yr

This role works closely with our culinary leadership team to lead daily kitchen operations, execute successful service, develop cooks, maintain standards, and contribute to a professional and ...

New

Epiphany Farms Hospitality Group

Sous Chef

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$48K - $64K/yr

Communicate production status, shortages, and upcoming needs clearly with the culinary team WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR * 3+ years of professional kitchen experience preferred * Strong prep, production ...

New

QUEST FOOD MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC

Executive Chef

Eureka, IL · On-site

$68K - $94K/yr

We support professional growth through training, development and access to highly visible leadership. Position Summary Responsible for managing all culinary functions for a school dining account ...

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE CHEF- NORMAL, IL

Normal, IL · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs ... Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with marketing and culinary team Preferred ...

Eurest

EXECUTIVE CHEF- NORMAL, IL

Normal, IL · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs ... Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with marketing and culinary team Preferred ...

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE CHEF- NORMAL, IL

Normal, IL · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs ... Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with marketing and culinary team Preferred ...

Compass Group

EXECUTIVE CHEF- NORMAL, IL

Normal, IL · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs ... Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with marketing and culinary team Preferred ...

Epiphany Farms Hospitality Group

Cook

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$16 - $20/hr

Hands-on experience connecting professional cooking with agriculture * Opportunities to develop farming, culinary, and food-system knowledge * Opportunities for growth within Epiphany Farms ...

New

MAXBY HOSPITALITY INC

Sous Chef (6784)

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

If you are passionate about the culinary arts and committed to professional success, APPLY TODAY! Qualified candidates must be motivated, friendly, team-oriented, honest, and comfortable with ...

Ancho & Agave

Sous Chef (6784)

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$50K - $65K/yr

If you are passionate about the culinary arts and committed to professional success, APPLY TODAY! Qualified candidates must be motivated, friendly, team-oriented, honest, and comfortable with ...

Eurest

EVENING CHEF MANAGER - NORMAL, IL

Merna, IL · On-site

$2.0K/wk

Degree in Culinary Arts is preferred or equivalent professional experience * Five years progressive culinary management experience * Self-starter, innovative and ability to multitask * Maintains a ...

Compass Group

EVENING CHEF MANAGER - NORMAL, IL

IL · On-site

$2.0K/wk

Degree in Culinary Arts is preferred or equivalent professional experience * Five years progressive culinary management experience * Self-starter, innovative and ability to multitask * Maintains a ...

Eurest

FOOD SERVICE MANAGER- NORMAL, IL

Normal, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs ... Full culinary management of food service operation to include inventory, ordering and receiving

Compass Group

FOOD SERVICE MANAGER- NORMAL, IL

Normal, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs ... Full culinary management of food service operation to include inventory, ordering and receiving

Compass Group

FOOD SERVICE MANAGER- NORMAL, IL

Normal, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs ... Full culinary management of food service operation to include inventory, ordering and receiving

Compass Group

FOOD SERVICE MANAGER- NORMAL, IL

Normal, IL · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs ... Full culinary management of food service operation to include inventory, ordering and receiving

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All JobsCulinary Professional JobsCulinary Professional Jobs in Normal, IL

Culinary Professional information

See Normal, IL salary details

$10

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$28

How much do culinary professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary professional in Normal, IL is $17.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.57 and $18.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary professional?

A culinary professional is an individual trained in the art and science of preparing, cooking, and presenting food. This can include chefs, cooks, bakers, and others working in restaurants, hotels, catering, or other food service establishments. Culinary professionals are skilled in a variety of cooking techniques, food safety, kitchen management, and menu planning. They often work in fast-paced environments, requiring creativity, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills. Many pursue formal education at culinary schools, while others gain experience through apprenticeships or on-the-job training.

What are some common challenges culinary professionals face in a fast-paced kitchen environment?

Culinary professionals often navigate challenges such as time management, maintaining consistency under pressure, and adapting to last-minute menu changes. Working in a bustling kitchen requires effective communication with team members and the ability to multitask without compromising food quality or safety standards. Additionally, long hours and physically demanding tasks are common, so resilience and a passion for the craft are essential for success and growth in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a culinary professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Culinary Professional, you need a solid foundation in cooking techniques, food safety, and menu planning, typically supported by a culinary arts degree or relevant certifications. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food safety certifications like ServSafe are commonly required. Creativity, teamwork, and attention to detail are vital soft skills that distinguish top performers in this field. These competencies ensure consistently high food quality, efficient kitchen operations, and exceptional dining experiences for guests.

What is the difference between Culinary Professional vs Chef?

AspectCulinary ProfessionalChef
CredentialsOften includes culinary certifications, food safety, and hospitality trainingTypically requires culinary school, apprenticeships, and culinary certifications
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, catering, food service, hospitality industryProfessional kitchens, restaurants, hotels, culinary establishments
Employer & Industry UsageUsed broadly for food service roles in hospitality and cateringSpecific to kitchen leadership and culinary arts

The term "Culinary Professional" encompasses a wide range of food service roles, including cooks, food prep staff, and kitchen assistants, often with various certifications. A "Chef" is a specialized culinary professional who typically has formal culinary training and leads kitchen operations. While all chefs are culinary professionals, not all culinary professionals are chefs. The main difference lies in the scope of responsibilities and level of specialization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Normal, IL?

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Normal, IL are:

What cities near Normal, IL are hiring for Culinary Professional jobs?

Cities near Normal, IL with the most Culinary Professional job openings:

Culinary Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Culinary Professional job openings in Normal, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,664 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

CHEF

Compass Group

East Peoria, IL

$45K - $48K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 hours ago

Compass Group rating

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

Job description

Position Title: CHEF 

Salary:  $45000-$48000

Growth. Opportunity. Excellence.

Canteen brings break time to everyone. We combine food, service, and experience backed by industry-leading technology to help companies create a better workplace and connect their employees. Canteen’s solutions include markets, office coffee and snacks, unattended retail, and culinary.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their dedication, collaboration, and passion fuel our growth. Interested in joining our team? You bring the enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation.  Together, we’ll continue to transform our industry.

Come grow with us. We are Canteen.

This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email MyReferral@compass-usa.com. 

Job Summary

Summary: As a Chef, you will ensure client and customer service satisfaction is attained by providing culinary resources and support. You may be responsible for managing the departments scheduling, discipline, and/or hiring.  You may assist the Executive Chef and/or Sous Chef in developing new menus, recipes, and ordering. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, entrepreneurial Culinary professional.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Provides frontline culinary resources and support.
  • Assists with food cost control, menu planning, purchasing, and ensures food quality guidelines are followed.
  • Assists with planning and creating menus.
  • Produces and executes catering events.
  • Rolls out new culinary programs in conjunction with marketing and culinary team.
  • Assists with managing cost controls and control expenditures for the account.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • 1 to 3 years of culinary management experience.
  • Experience in restaurants, hotels, corporate dining, education, military, health care, and/or related food service operations.
  • Hands-on chef experience is required.
  • Extensive catering experience is preferred.
  • High volume batch cooking and complex food service operations experience is preferred.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation.
  • ServSafe Certification is preferred.
  • Computer skills and knowledge of MS Office products including Excel.
  • Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts is preferred.

Apply to Canteen today!

Canteen is a member of Compass Group USA

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. 


Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.


Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.


Associates at Canteen are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid 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_Canteen.pdf

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

Req ID: 1563343 

SSC  

Yolanda E Polk 

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