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Entry Level Food Service Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Food Service Associate

Nashville, TN · On-site

$13.50 - $17.75/hr

Responsible for food service preparation, tracking of patient order, delivery, tray pick up, and ... Provides guidance to entry level co-workers. Core Capabilities : Supporting Colleagues : Develops ...

The Food Service Processor is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing all dish room rental ... Experience: Entry-level position suitable for those developing skills in dish room operations.

The Food Service Processor is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing all dish room rental ... Experience: Entry-level position suitable for those developing skills in dish room operations.

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Dietary Worker

Ardmore, TN · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

Properly store food items to ensure freshness and quality * Work collaboratively with team members to support kitchen operations Preferred Qualifications * Entry-level experience in food service

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Dietary Worker

Ardmore, TN · On-site

$12 - $15/hr

Properly store food items to ensure freshness and quality * Work collaboratively with team members to support kitchen operations Preferred Qualifications * Entry-level experience in food service

General Service Technician

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15 - $15.24/hr

As a General Service Technician (GST) , you'll begin your journey in an entry-level position. Your ... Must have at least 3 months of customer facing experience (i.e. retail, food service, hospitality ...

General Service Technician

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15 - $15.24/hr

As a General Service Technician (GST) , you'll begin your journey in an entry-level position. Your ... Must have at least 3 months of customer facing experience (i.e. retail, food service, hospitality ...

General Service Technician

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15 - $15.24/hr

As a General Service Technician (GST) , you'll begin your journey in an entry-level position. Your ... Must have at least 3 months of customer facing experience (i.e. retail, food service, hospitality ...

General Service Technician

Collierville, TN · On-site

$13.50 - $16.75/hr

As a General Service Technician (GST) , you'll begin your journey in an entry-level position. Your ... Must have at least 3 months of customer facing experience (i.e. retail, food service, hospitality ...

General Service Technician

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15 - $15.24/hr

As a General Service Technician (GST) , you'll begin your journey in an entry-level position. Your ... Must have at least 3 months of customer facing experience (i.e. retail, food service, hospitality ...

General Service Technician

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15 - $15.24/hr

As a General Service Technician (GST) , you'll begin your journey in an entry-level position. Your ... Must have at least 3 months of customer facing experience (i.e. retail, food service, hospitality ...

General Service Technician

Memphis, TN · On-site

$15 - $15.24/hr

As a General Service Technician (GST) , you'll begin your journey in an entry-level position. Your ... Must have at least 3 months of customer facing experience (i.e. retail, food service, hospitality ...

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Entry Level Food Service information

What are entry level food service jobs?

Entry level food service jobs are positions in the food industry that require little to no previous experience. These jobs often include roles such as cashier, server, dishwasher, host, or fast food worker. Employees in these positions are responsible for tasks like taking orders, preparing food, cleaning, and providing customer service. Entry level food service jobs are a great way to gain experience, learn important skills, and start a career in hospitality or the restaurant industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level food service worker?

To thrive as an Entry Level Food Service worker, you typically need basic food safety knowledge, attention to cleanliness, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale systems, kitchen equipment, and food handling certifications such as ServSafe are often required. Strong teamwork, communication, and customer service skills help you work efficiently and provide a positive dining experience. These skills are essential for maintaining food quality, ensuring customer satisfaction, and adhering to health and safety regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level food service workers, and how can they be overcome?

Entry level food service workers often face challenges such as adapting to a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and providing excellent customer service under pressure. To overcome these challenges, it's important to communicate clearly with your team, stay organized, and remain calm during busy periods. Many employers also provide training and mentoring to help new employees build confidence and learn best practices quickly.

How to start working in entry level food service?

To start working in entry level food service, you should look for job openings at local restaurants, cafes, or fast-food establishments and submit an application. Having a positive attitude, good communication skills, and basic food safety knowledge can improve your chances; some positions may require a food handler's permit or similar certification. Being flexible with shifts and willing to learn can also help you get started in this industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Service jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Food Service jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Food Service jobs in Tennessee?

For Entry Level Food Service jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Food Service jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Food Service jobs in Tennessee are:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Food Service job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Food Service Associate

Vanderbilt Health

Nashville, TN • On-site

$13.50 - $17.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted yesterday


Vanderbilt University Medical Center rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 259 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

231st of 898 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Discover Vanderbilt Health:With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region's largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you'll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniquenesscelebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

VUH Nutrition Cafeteria 10

Job Summary:

Responsible for performing customer service for kitchen and retail areas of the Food Services department. Responsibilities could include preparing patient meal trays, tray passing, serving patient/customer meals, and other duties assigned by leadership by maintaining approved food handling procedures and high level of accountability and professionalism.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Responsible for food service preparation, tracking of patient order, delivery, tray pick up, and clean up in a professional and timely manner.
  • Sets up and breaks down assigned station with the correct supplies and food items
  • Maintains a safe work environment.
  • Ensures food safety and quality for patients and guests.
  • Ensure food is prepared and served according to dietary requirements.
  • Maintains proper sanitation of food, supplies, food preparation areas, and equipment as needed.
  • The Food Service Worker will use kitchen equipment such as knives, slicers, mixers, and dishwashers as appropriate and within Food Service safety guidelines and requirements.
  • The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

  • Food Replenishment (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate food replenishment in practical applications of moderate difficulty.
  • FDA/USDA Regulations (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate FDA and/or USDA
  • Customer Service (Novice): Demonstrates the ability to influence patients and guests. Know how to verify and clarify the needs efficiently to guest service requests. Participates in and conducts meetings with patients and guests. Keeps patients and guests informed of status via standard reporting techniques. Meets the continuing service needs of a guest group, including request for changes in work content. Responds to patients and guests with an appropriate level of urgency, energy, persistence and tenacity.
  • Food Handling (Novice): Responsible for safely handling food by adhering to practices and procedures involved in preparing, storing, and serving food to ensure it remains safe for consumption, from initial processing to final presentation

Our supporting roles are the core of all we do at Vanderbilt Health, helping us personalize the patient experience through our caring spirit and distinctive capabilities. We support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at VUMC for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose.

We support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce as we place a priority on designing with and for our patients and families.

    Core Accountabilities:

    * Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job. * Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.

    Core Capabilities :

    Supporting Colleagues : Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively : - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation : - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

    Position Qualifications:

    Responsibilities:

    Certifications:

    Work Experience:

    Relevant Work Experience

    Experience Level:

    Less than 1 year

    Education:

    High School Diploma or GED

    This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which mayinclude health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

    Vanderbilt Health is committed tofosteringan environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.


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