ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Food Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SusieCakes

Dishwasher/Food Preparer

Lafayette, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to safely utilize all bakery equipment * Attention to detail * Ability to work in cross functional roles as needed ...

SusieCakes

Dishwasher/Food preparer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to safely utilize all bakery equipment * Attention to detail * Ability to work in cross functional roles as needed ...

SusieCakes

Dishwasher/Food preparer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to safely utilize all bakery equipment * Attention to detail * Ability to work in cross functional roles as needed ...

SusieCakes

Dishwasher/Food Preparer

Lafayette, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to safely utilize all bakery equipment * Attention to detail * Ability to work in cross functional roles as needed ...

SusieCakes

Dishwasher/Food Preparer/ PT

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to safely utilize all bakery equipment * Attention to detail * Ability to work in cross functional roles as needed ...

SusieCakes

Dishwasher/Food Preparer/ PT

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to safely utilize all bakery equipment * Attention to detail * Ability to work in cross functional roles as needed ...

Los Angeles Dodgers

Culinary Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$18/hr

Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to safely utilize all kitchen equipment * Attention to detail * Excellent customer service * Excellent time ...

AEG

Culinary Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$18/hr

Previous dishwashing or entry level food handling experience a plus * Must be able to safely utilize all kitchen equipment * Attention to detail * Excellent customer service * Excellent time ...

Claiborne County Schools

Food Service

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$13.50 - $19.92/mo

Most Tennessee districts require a High School Diploma or GED, though some entry-level or ... food safety certifications. Background Checks: Must pass a criminal history background check ...

Yamashiro Hollywood

Food Runner

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The Food Runner will play a crucial role in ensuring the timely delivery of food from the kitchen ... Los Angeles , CA , United States Experience Required: Entry Level Date Published: 27 May 2025

Casino Pauma

Expeditor / Food Runner

Pauma Valley, CA · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Provide assistance to Food Serves and ensure food orders are served in a timely manner. * Deliver ... MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: * Entry Level Position * High school degree or equivalent preferred

Casino Pauma

Expeditor / Food Runner

Pauma Valley, CA · On-site

$14.75 - $19.50/hr

Provide assistance to Food Serves and ensure food orders are served in a timely manner. * Deliver ... MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: * Entry Level Position * High school degree or equivalent preferred

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFood JobsEntry Level Food JobsEntry Level Food Jobs in California

Entry Level Food information

What is an entry level food job?

Entry level food jobs are positions in the food industry that require little to no previous experience or specialized training. These roles often include tasks such as food preparation, serving, cashiering, dishwashing, and assisting cooks or chefs. People in these jobs typically work in restaurants, cafeterias, fast food outlets, or catering services, and they gain valuable experience that can help them advance to higher positions in the food service industry.

What does a typical day look like for someone in an entry level food service position?

A typical day in an entry-level food service role usually involves preparing basic food items, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen or dining area, and assisting with customer service tasks such as taking orders or serving food. Employees often work as part of a team, collaborating closely with cooks, servers, and managers to ensure smooth operations. Entry-level staff are also responsible for following food safety protocols and may perform routine tasks like restocking supplies or handling simple cash register transactions. This role offers valuable experience in time management, teamwork, and customer interaction, laying the groundwork for future advancement in the food service industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an entry level food service position, and why are they important?

To thrive in an entry-level food service role, basic food preparation skills, a high school diploma or equivalent, and an understanding of food safety standards are generally required. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, kitchen equipment, and food handling certifications like ServSafe are often expected. Strong teamwork, time management, and customer service skills help individuals excel in fast-paced environments. These skills ensure efficient service, maintain health standards, and contribute to positive customer experiences in the food industry.

What is the difference between Entry Level Food vs Food Service Worker?

AspectEntry Level FoodFood Service Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferredHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentRestaurants, cafeterias, catering servicesRestaurants, fast food outlets, cafeterias
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in hospitality and food production industriesWidely used in food service establishments and hospitality

Entry Level Food roles typically involve basic food preparation, cleaning, and customer service tasks. Food Service Worker positions are similar, focusing on serving customers, maintaining cleanliness, and supporting kitchen operations. Both roles require minimal experience and certifications, making them accessible entry points into the food industry. The main difference lies in specific job duties and work settings, but they often overlap in daily responsibilities.

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

The most popular types of Food jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Food jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Food job openings:

Entry Level Food jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Food job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Entry level FOOD R&D Associate (Food Manufacture)(CA/YM)

Activ8 Recruitment & Solutions

Garden Grove, CA • On-site

$14.25 - $18.50/hr

Other

Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

New

Key responsibilities

  • Support product development, commercialization, and maintenance of plant-based food products.

  • Plan, design, and conduct experiments related to new product development, process improvement, and product maintenance, and communicate results to management.

  • Support commercialization activities such as scale-up, production trials, process validation, and technology transfer to manufacturing.

Job description

A food manufacturing company is looking for an Entry-Level Food R&D Associate to join their team in Garden Grove, CA. A bachelor’s degree in FOOD SCIENCE is required. Up to 2 years' R&D, QC work experience in food product development, food manufacturing, or related field is required. This position is responsible for supporting product development, commercialization, and maintenance of plant-based food products. Also, contributes to innovation, problem-solving, and implementation of new technologies through collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners. This is a full-time, in-person, position with excellent benefits, including 401K.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm



Entry-Level Food R&D Associate Duties:

-Plan, design, and conduct experiments related to new product development, process improvement, commercialization support, and product maintenance with minimal supervision. Organize and analyze data and communicate project progress and experimental results to management.

-Support product maintenance activities, including formula updates, ingredient substitutions, quality improvements, cost optimization, and regulatory compliance.

-Support commercialization activities, including scale-up, production trials, process validation, and technology transfer to manufacturing.

-Provide technical support and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Marketing, Sales, QC/QA, Production, and SCM

-Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements related to processing, products, labeling, product claims, and advertising.

-Conduct shelf-life studies, sensory evaluations, and analytical testing of new and existing products.

-Research consumer trends, market opportunities, emerging technologies, and ingredients to support concept development and innovation initiatives.

-Develop product formulas that meet nutritional, regulatory, quality, food safety, and cost requirements



Entry-Level Food R&D Associate Skills:

-Must have a bachelor's degree in FOOD SCIENCE

-Up to 2 years' R&D, QC work experience in food product development, food manufacturing, or related field is required.

-Basic knowledge of FDA, USDA, and other regulatory requirements

-Basic knowledge of nutrition, chemistry, microbiology and statistics

-Familiarity of equipment for analytical testing and scientific lab procedures

-Experience with plant-based foods, dairy alternatives, or protein-based products is a plus

-Experience with laboratory testing and data analysis is preferred



****If interested, please apply with your most updated resume including your minimum salary requirement and why you left/or are looking to leave your current company. ****

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Activ8 West- Los Angeles (Japanese Recruiting Company) Recruitment & Solutions / Renaissance Resources Inc., has been a trusted leader in North American recruiting for Japanese businesses for over 25 years. We specialize in connecting top talent with companies in the Automotive, Electronics, Food & Beverage, Logistics, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Banking & Finance, and Entertainment industries. Our client-focused approach ensures that we understand your unique needs, whether you’re a company seeking skilled professionals or a candidate looking for the right career opportunity. By working closely with each individual, we provide tailored solutions that drive success.

We screen ALL Candidates to verify the validity of each applicant's provided information. Upon submitting your resume, we will contact only those candidates that we deem qualified for our client. If we do not contact you, we do not see the fit for the position. If we are unable to reach you in a reasonable timeframe, you will be eliminated from the pool of potential candidates. We prioritize direct applicants; third-party resumes may not be reviewed.

Apply