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Day Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Currently offering a sign-on bonus of $1,000 after 90 days Are you a culinary professional looking for more work-life balance and career growth than a typical sous chef or line cook position can ...

Currently offering a sign-on bonus of $1,000 after 90 days Are you a culinary professional looking for more work-life balance and career growth than a typical sous chef or line cook position can ...

Full-time Personal Chef

Madison, WI · On-site

$25 - $28/hr

This full-time personal chef position is Monday through Friday, 8am-6pm, giving you evenings and ... Day shift * Monday to Friday Requirements: * Culinary Experience: 1 year (Required) * Cooking: 4 ...

Executive Chef Location: Milwaukee, WI Salary: $110,000-$130,000 base + bonus eligible up to 15 ... MDV, PTO, 401(k) after 30 days, relocation assistance Property Description: Established upscale ...

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Day Chef information

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$10

$24

$44

How much do day chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for day chef in the United States is $24.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Day Chef, you need strong culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and typically a culinary degree or relevant kitchen experience. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, inventory management systems, and food handling certifications like ServSafe are often required. Attention to detail, time management, and effective communication help a Day Chef excel in a busy kitchen environment. These skills ensure high-quality food preparation, smooth kitchen operations, and customer satisfaction during daytime service hours.

What are Day Chefs?

Day Chefs are culinary professionals responsible for preparing meals during daytime hours, typically covering breakfast, lunch, and sometimes early dinner services in restaurants, hotels, or catering establishments. They handle menu planning, food preparation, cooking, and supervising kitchen staff during their shift. Day Chefs ensure that food quality, presentation, and safety standards are maintained throughout their working hours. Their schedule is usually earlier than night or dinner chefs, making the role suitable for those who prefer daytime work. This position requires strong culinary skills, time management, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.

Is 35 too late to become a chef?

Day chefs and other culinary professionals can start at any age, including 35, as experience, skills, and passion are more important than age. Many successful chefs begin their careers later in life, often bringing valuable life experience and maturity to the kitchen.

What is the highest paid chef job?

The highest paid chef jobs are typically executive chefs or head chefs in high-end restaurants, luxury hotels, or private estates, with salaries often exceeding $100,000 annually. Specialized roles such as culinary directors or chefs with extensive experience and advanced certifications can earn even higher compensation, especially in major metropolitan areas or international locations.

What are some common challenges faced by a Day Chef in a busy restaurant kitchen?

As a Day Chef, one of the main challenges is managing time efficiently to ensure all prep work and lunch services are completed smoothly, especially during peak hours. You’ll often need to coordinate closely with other kitchen staff, adapt quickly to last-minute menu changes, and maintain high standards of food safety and quality. Balancing multiple tasks while keeping a positive, collaborative attitude is key to thriving in this fast-paced environment.

How long does a chef work a day?

A day chef typically works between 8 to 10 hours per shift, often including evenings, weekends, and holidays. The schedule can vary based on the restaurant's hours and staffing needs, with some chefs working longer hours during busy periods or special events.

How to get a chef job with no experience?

To get a chef job with no experience, start by gaining basic culinary skills through cooking classes or volunteering in kitchens. Entry-level positions like prep cook or kitchen assistant can provide hands-on experience, and obtaining a food handler's certification can improve your chances. Building a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn are essential for advancing in the culinary field.

What is the difference between Day Chef vs Line Cook?

AspectDay ChefLine Cook
CredentialsCulinary degree or equivalent experienceHigh school diploma or culinary training
Work EnvironmentTypically in restaurants, hotels, or catering services, overseeing kitchen operationsPrepares specific dishes on the kitchen line during service hours
ResponsibilitiesMenu planning, supervising kitchen staff, quality controlCooking assigned dishes, maintaining station cleanliness
Common UsageUsed in restaurants and hospitality industry for managerial or supervisory rolesUsed in kitchens for staff responsible for preparing dishes during service

The main difference between a Day Chef and a Line Cook is that the Day Chef typically has managerial responsibilities, oversees kitchen operations, and plans menus, while the Line Cook focuses on preparing specific dishes during service hours. Both roles require culinary skills, but the Day Chef often has more experience and broader responsibilities.

More about Day Chef jobs
What cities are hiring for Day Chef jobs? Cities with the most Day Chef job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs? The most popular types of Chef jobs are:
What states have the most Day Chef jobs? States with the most job openings for Day Chef jobs include:
Infographic showing various Day Chef job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,225 per year, or $24.6 per hour.
Full-time Personal Chef

Full-time Personal Chef

Tiny Spoon Chef, Inc

Jersey City, NJ • On-site

$23 - $28/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Description:

Are you a culinary professional looking for more work-life balance and career growth than a typical sous chef or line cook position can offer? This full-time personal chef position is Monday through Friday, 8am–6pm, giving you evenings and weekends FREE.

In this role, you’ll work as a personal chef for 8–9 clients per week—handling weekly grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, and kitchen clean-up. You’ll have the chance to showcase your creativity in a variety of cuisines while building relationships with clients who appreciate your culinary expertise.


Beyond weekly meal prep, our chefs also:

  1. Host intimate private dining events and dinner parties
  2. Teach cooking classes as a culinary instructor
  3. Lead corporate team-building cooking workshops
  4. Support special projects such as menu design and event catering

What Makes This Role Different from Restaurant Kitchen Jobs?

Unlike traditional restaurant sous chef or line cook jobs, this position offers:

  1. Consistent, predictable Monday–Friday hours (no REGULAR late nights or weekends)
  2. Direct client interaction and creative menu freedom
  3. Opportunities to grow beyond the kitchen into events, education, and leadership

Why Work With Us?

We invest in our chefs through hands-on training, mentorship, and career development programs. If you’re someone who enjoys taking initiative, building relationships, and driving growth, this role offers virtually unlimited potential.

At our company, we reward hard work, creativity, and dedication. You’ll be more than just a line cook or sous chef—you’ll have the opportunity to grow into a private chef, event chef, or culinary leader.


Pay: $23-28 per hour


Benefits:

  • Retirement Plan, 401k and 401k Matching
  • Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (After 90 days of employment)
  • Short & Long Term Disability
  • Life Insurance
  • Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Dependent Care Account (DCA)
  • Paid Time Off
  • Profit Sharing


At our company, we value and recognize exceptional performance and dedication. As a testament to our commitment to employee growth and satisfaction, we offer a clear pathway to financial advancement. As a candidate, you can expect the opportunity for a well-deserved raise at the 1 year mark, contingent upon favorable performance evaluations. We believe in rewarding hard work, innovation, and exceeding expectations.


Qualified applicants should have a minimum of four years of line experience, a sense of urgency, people skills, attention to detail, ServSafe Manager certification and state-specific Allergen, and have a reliable vehicle.

Previous experience/familiarity with computer/email/Google Workspaces/social media is preferred. All applicants offered a position will be subject to a background check.


Please note that we use E-Verify to electronically confirm Form I-9 information to verify employee's identity and employment eligibility.


Travel may be required during training. (TSC compensates for travel.)

A cover letter is highly encouraged.


Interview Process

15-min fit call - Video interview - Bench Test, cook a meal (Reimbursement) - Full Day Stage (Paid)


Supplemental pay types:

  • Bonus pay
  • Unlimited referral bonuses
  • Paid training

Schedule:

  • 8-hour shift
  • 10-hour shift
  • Day shift
  • Monday to Friday
Requirements:
  • Culinary Experience: 1 year (Required)
  • Cooking: 4 years (Required)