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Culinary Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Culinary Externship Program with Colonial Williamsburg Company strives to provide a diverse experience in high quality culinary operations. The Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg offers a la ...

Culinary Prep

Fredericksburg, VA · On-site

$13.25 - $16.75/hr

The Culinary Prep team member ensures the kitchen is clean, well-stocked, and organized to support daily operations. This role is vital in maintaining health and safety standards and ensuring all ...

Culinary Prep

Richmond, VA · On-site

$13 - $16.50/hr

The Culinary Prep team member ensures the kitchen is clean, well-stocked, and organized to support daily operations. This role is vital in maintaining health and safety standards and ensuring all ...

Culinary Prep

Roanoke, VA · On-site

$14 - $17.75/hr

The Culinary Prep team member ensures the kitchen is clean, well-stocked, and organized to support daily operations. This role is vital in maintaining health and safety standards and ensuring all ...

Culinary Prep

Suffolk, VA · On-site

$12.50 - $16/hr

The Culinary Prep team member ensures the kitchen is clean, well-stocked, and organized to support daily operations. This role is vital in maintaining health and safety standards and ensuring all ...

Culinary Prep

Richmond, VA · On-site

$13.25 - $16.75/hr

The Culinary Prep team member ensures the kitchen is clean, well-stocked, and organized to support daily operations. This role is vital in maintaining health and safety standards and ensuring all ...

Culinary Prep

Danville, VA · On-site

$14.25 - $18/hr

The Culinary Prep team member ensures the kitchen is clean, well-stocked, and organized to support daily operations. This role is vital in maintaining health and safety standards and ensuring all ...

Executive Culinary Manager

Richmond, VA · On-site

$70K - $97K/yr

We'relooking for an Executive Culinary Manager who leads a culinary operation with both creativity and business discipline. Someone who develops their team drives quality and consistency atscale ...

Culinary Services Aide

Chesterfield, VA · On-site

$14.75 - $17.75/hr

The Culinary Services Aide performs designated work and cleaning routines for the culinary department in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and ...

Culinary Services Aide

Chesterfield, VA · On-site

$14.75 - $17.75/hr

The Culinary Services Aide performs designated work and cleaning routines for the culinary department in accordance with current applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and ...

Showing results 41-60

Culinary information

See Virginia salary details

$9

$18

$33

How much do culinary jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for culinary in Virginia is $18.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.00 and $18.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a culinary professional?

A culinary professional is someone who works in the food service industry, typically preparing, cooking, and presenting food. This can include roles such as chefs, cooks, pastry chefs, and kitchen assistants. Culinary professionals work in various settings like restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and catering companies. They are skilled in food safety, recipe development, and often specialize in different cuisines or techniques. Training can include formal education at culinary schools or hands-on experience in kitchens.

Are jobs in the culinary industry in demand?

Anytime the economy is up, jobs in culinary industries are in higher demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts culinary jobs to grow by 10% by 2026, which is faster than the average career. There is a high rate of turnover in lower level culinary jobs like line and prep cooks, so those jobs almost always have a high demand, especially in areas where the restaurant and tourism industries are big. However, the same person usually holds head cook and chef jobs for quite some time, so they can be more difficult to attain.

What are the most common challenges faced by culinary professionals in a fast-paced kitchen environment?

Culinary professionals often encounter challenges such as managing time efficiently during busy service periods, maintaining high-quality standards under pressure, and coordinating effectively with team members. Adapting quickly to last-minute menu changes or special dietary requests is also common. Successful chefs and kitchen staff rely on strong communication skills and a collaborative attitude to overcome these hurdles and ensure smooth kitchen operations.

What are some culinary jobs?

Culinary jobs include roles such as chef, sous chef, pastry chef, line cook, kitchen manager, and food service supervisor. These positions typically require knowledge of food preparation, safety standards, and kitchen equipment, and may involve working in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, or institutional settings.

What jobs can I get with culinary?

With a culinary background, you can pursue roles such as chef, sous chef, pastry chef, line cook, kitchen manager, or food service supervisor. These positions typically require cooking skills, knowledge of food safety, and sometimes certifications like ServSafe, and they are often found in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and institutional food services.

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

Thriving in a culinary career requires strong cooking techniques, knowledge of food safety, and often a culinary degree or certification such as ServSafe. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, recipe management systems, and inventory software is also valuable. Creativity, attention to detail, teamwork, and resilience under pressure set standout culinary professionals apart. These skills and qualities ensure consistent food quality, operational efficiency, and a positive dining experience for guests.

What culinary career pays the most?

Executive chefs and culinary directors typically earn the highest salaries in the culinary field, often exceeding six figures with experience and working in high-end restaurants or hotel chains. Specialized roles such as pastry chefs or food service managers can also have high earning potential, especially with advanced certifications and leadership responsibilities.

What is the difference between Culinary vs Chef?

AspectCulinaryChef
CredentialsOften no formal certification required; culinary training or courses commonFormal culinary education or apprenticeship typically required
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, catering, food service, culinary schoolsRestaurants, hotels, private kitchens, culinary competitions
Industry UsageBroad term for food preparation skills and knowledgeSpecific role as a professional responsible for kitchen operations
Search & Comparison IntentPeople exploring culinary skills or careers in food serviceIndividuals seeking chef roles or culinary leadership positions

While 'Culinary' refers broadly to the skills, knowledge, and industry related to food preparation, a 'Chef' is a specific professional role within that industry, often with formal training and leadership responsibilities. Understanding this difference helps job seekers and employers clarify roles and expectations in the food service industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Culinary jobs in Virginia?

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

What job categories do people searching Culinary jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Culinary jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Culinary jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Culinary job openings:

Infographic showing various Culinary job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, and 39% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,082 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

$19.91/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Colonial Williamsburg rating

5.3

Company rating: 5.3 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 29 rated museums


Job description

The Culinary Externship Program with Colonial Williamsburg Company strives to provide a diverse experience in high quality culinary operations. The Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg offers a la carte, quick service and special events opportunities to develop skills and hone your craft.
Externs with a culinary focus prepare seafood and poultry entrees, cook meats, broil steaks and seafood, and assemble entrees; maintain sanitation of station.

Candidates should be enrolled in or recent graduates of a Culinary program.


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