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Entry Level Culinary Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Davidson Hospitality Group

FT Prep Cook

Chicago, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Join our exceptional team as an Entry Level Cook. We are seeking a passionate individual with a strong desire to learn and grow in the culinary world. Bring your high energy, enthusiasm, and ...

Hotel Lincoln

FT Prep Cook

Chicago, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Join our exceptional team as an Entry Level Cook. We are seeking a passionate individual with a strong desire to learn and grow in the culinary world. Bring your high energy, enthusiasm, and ...

Hotel Lincoln

FT Prep Cook

Chicago, IL

$22/hr

Join our exceptional team as an Entry Level Cook. We are seeking a passionate individual with a strong desire to learn and grow in the culinary world. Bring your high energy, enthusiasm, and ...

Hotel Lincoln

FT Prep Cook

Chicago, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Join our exceptional team as an Entry Level Cook. We are seeking a passionate individual with a strong desire to learn and grow in the culinary world. Bring your high energy, enthusiasm, and ...

Hyatt

Banquet Cook - Entry Level

Chicago, IL · On-site

$27.33/hr

The culinary team at Park Hyatt Chicago is led by talented chefs who bring a wealth of experience and creativity to the hotel's dining offerings. The team's dedication to culinary excellence is ...

Hotel Lincoln

PT Line Cook

Chicago, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Join our dynamic team and embark on a culinary journey filled with growth and learning opportunities. As an Entry-Level Line Cook, you'll work alongside experienced chefs and contribute to creating ...

Hotel Lincoln

PT Line Cook

Chicago, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Join our dynamic team and embark on a culinary journey filled with growth and learning opportunities. As an Entry-Level Line Cook, you'll work alongside experienced chefs and contribute to creating ...

Davidson Hospitality Group

PT Line Cook

Chicago, IL · On-site

$22/hr

Join our dynamic team and embark on a culinary journey filled with growth and learning opportunities. As an Entry-Level Line Cook, you'll work alongside experienced chefs and contribute to creating ...

Hotel Lincoln

PT Line Cook

Chicago, IL

$22/hr

Join our dynamic team and embark on a culinary journey filled with growth and learning opportunities. As an Entry-Level Line Cook, you'll work alongside experienced chefs and contribute to creating ...

East Bank Club

Prep Cook - The Market

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21/hr

Rate of Pay: $21.00 per hour. This role is considered entry-level. Job Responsibilities ... Culinary degree is a plus. * Good knife skills. * Must be positive, collaborative, and committed to ...

East Bank Club

Prep Cook - The Market

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21/hr

Rate of Pay: $21.00 per hour. This role is considered entry-level. Job Responsibilities ... Culinary degree is a plus.   * Good knife skills. * Must be positive, collaborative, and ...

East Bank Club

Prep Cook - The Market

Chicago, IL · On-site

$21/hr

Rate of Pay: $21.00 per hour. This role is considered entry-level. Job Responsibilities ... Culinary degree is a plus. * Good knife skills. * Must be positive, collaborative, and committed to ...

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All JobsCulinary JobsEntry Level Culinary JobsEntry Level Culinary Jobs in Chicago, IL

Entry Level Culinary information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$9

$19

$34

How much do entry level culinary jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level culinary in Chicago, IL is $19.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.58 and $19.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level culinary professionals in a commercial kitchen?

Entry-level culinary professionals often find the fast-paced environment of a commercial kitchen challenging, especially during peak service hours when multitasking is essential. Adapting to strict hygiene standards, learning efficient prep techniques, and communicating effectively with the kitchen team are also common hurdles. However, with time and practice, many newcomers quickly develop the stamina, organizational skills, and teamwork necessary to thrive and advance in the culinary industry.

What are entry level culinary jobs?

Entry level culinary jobs are positions in the food industry that require little to no prior professional kitchen experience. These roles often include responsibilities such as food preparation, assisting chefs, maintaining cleanliness, and following recipes. Common job titles include prep cook, line cook, dishwasher, or kitchen assistant. Entry level culinary jobs are a great way to learn basic kitchen skills, gain hands-on experience, and start a career in the culinary field. Advancement is possible with experience, training, and dedication.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level culinary professional?

To thrive as an Entry Level Culinary professional, a basic understanding of food preparation, kitchen safety, and sanitation is essential, often supported by a high school diploma or culinary coursework. Familiarity with commercial kitchen tools, knives, and food handling certifications like ServSafe are typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and a willingness to learn make someone stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining a safe, efficient kitchen and delivering high-quality dishes to customers.

What is the difference between Entry Level Culinary vs Entry Level Cook?

AspectEntry Level CulinaryEntry Level Cook
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; culinary school preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; culinary training beneficial
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, hotels, catering servicesKitchen settings in restaurants, cafes, hotels
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food service industriesPrimarily used in restaurant kitchens and food establishments
Search & Comparison IntentPeople exploring entry-level culinary roles and career pathsIndividuals seeking basic cooking positions in food service

Entry Level Culinary and Entry Level Cook roles often overlap, with both requiring similar credentials and work environments. The term 'Entry Level Culinary' may encompass a broader range of food service positions, including prep cooks and kitchen assistants, while 'Entry Level Cook' specifically refers to basic cooking roles. Both are ideal starting points for those interested in a culinary career in hospitality settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Culinary jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Culinary jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Culinary jobs in Chicago, IL? For Entry Level Culinary jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Culinary jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Culinary jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Entry Level Culinary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Culinary job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $40,608 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Culinary Cooking Class Assistant

Taste Buds Kitchen

Deerfield, IL • On-site

$14 - $15/hr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Employee discounts
  • Flexible schedule
  • Free food & snacks
  • Free uniforms
  • Training & development

Join Taste Buds Kitchen as a Culinary Cooking Class Assistant, an excellent entry-level opportunity for those who are well-organized, enjoy working with people, and have a passion for the culinary arts. In this role, you will assist the Culinary Instructor with all class preparation and clean-up aspects.
If you have a passion for cooking, for making people smile, and the organizational skills to keep everything running smoothly in our sparkling clean kitchens, we want to meet you!
Benefits:
  • Competitive hourly pay plus tips
  • Flexible scheduling to suit your needs
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Employee discounts on our services

The Ideal candidate:
  • Can move quickly in a fast-paced environment.
  • Has a natural curiosity and passion for food and culinary entertainment.
  • Possesses an upbeat personality.
  • Demonstrates excellent communication skills with people of all ages.
  • Desires to learn a variety of cooking and baking techniques.
  • Has open availability in the evenings and on weekends.
  • No experience is necessary; training is provided for the right candidate.
  • Is 16+ years old, has access to reliable transportation, can stand for long periods and doesn't mind getting their hands a little messy! ;)

Who are we?
Taste Buds Kitchen has captivated the country with a refreshingly simple concept: providing culinary entertainment to kids, families, and adults in a fun, beautiful, and state-of-the-art Kitchen Studio.
  • For Kids (ages 2 to teen): We offer hands-on cooking classes, camps, birthday parties, and field trips.
  • For Adults: We provide BYOB date night cooking classes, birthday parties, bachelorettes, showers, and corporate events.

Our innovative programs are entertaining and educational, and we always strive to engage and delight our guests.
Compensation: $14.00 - $15.00 per hour
About Us
Taste Buds Kitchen has taken the country by storm with a refreshingly simple concept. We provide culinary entertainment to kids, families and adults in a fun, beautiful and state-of-the art Kitchen Studio. Kids ages 2 to teen love our hands-on cooking classes, camps, birthday parties and field trips. Adults love our byob date night cooking classes, birthday parties, bachelorettes, showers and corporate events. Our innovative programs are as entertaining as they are educational. We always strive to engage and delight our guests.
Job Opportunities
We have incredible career opportunities in each of our growing Kitchen Studios nationwide, as well as our corporate office. Get involved in an exciting and growing company. We are always looking for dynamic talent to join our fun-loving and hard-working team! Perfect for culinary professionals, passionate foodies, teachers, managers, administrators, marketers and college and high school students alike.

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