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Food Service Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

West Tennessee Healthcare

Food Service Assistant

Jackson, TN · On-site

$12.50 - $16/hr

Under the direct supervision of the Patient Service Managers, responsible for an assigned shift, five days per week. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: * Serves and replenishes food from counters and steam ...

NHC

Weekend Food Service Assistant

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$11.75 - $15.50/hr

Food Service Aide Are you looking to have fun in a work environment where you can express your talents and creativity, while making a difference in the lives of others? Come join our Food Nutrition ...

Food City

Assistant Food Service Manager

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$13.50 - $18.75/hr

As a key member of the store management team, the responsibilities of the Assistant Food Service Manager include providing exceptional customer service, leading by example, driving sales by ...

New

Food City

Assistant Food Service Manager

Winchester, TN · On-site

$13 - $18/hr

As a key member of the store management team, the responsibilities of the Assistant Food Service Manager include providing exceptional customer service, leading by example, driving sales by ...

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Food Service Assistant information

See Tennessee salary details

$8

$15

$22

How much do food service assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service assistant in Tennessee is $15.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.08 and $16.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by food service assistants, and how can they be managed effectively?

Food Service Assistants often work in fast-paced environments where multitasking and time management are crucial. One common challenge is handling peak meal times while maintaining quality and safety standards. Effective communication with kitchen staff and servers helps ensure smooth operations. Staying organized, adhering to hygiene protocols, and being adaptable to sudden changes—like menu adjustments or special dietary requests—are key to managing these challenges successfully.

What is the difference between Food Service Assistant vs Kitchen Helper?

AspectFood Service AssistantKitchen Helper
CredentialsMay require food safety certificationOften no formal certification needed
Work EnvironmentCustomer-facing, dining areasKitchen, food prep areas
Employer & IndustryRestaurants, cafeterias, cateringRestaurants, institutional kitchens
Common Search IntentCustomer service, serving foodFood prep, cleaning

While both roles support food service operations, a Food Service Assistant primarily interacts with customers and serves food, often requiring food safety certifications. In contrast, a Kitchen Helper focuses on food prep and kitchen cleaning tasks without direct customer contact. Both roles are essential in food service environments but differ in responsibilities and work settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food service assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Service Assistant, you need basic food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and food hygiene certifications such as ServSafe are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and excellent customer service skills help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure efficient operations, maintain food safety standards, and deliver a positive dining experience for customers.

What is a food service assistant?

A food service assistant helps with the planning, preparing, and serving of meals in a restaurant or other organization that serves food. They may work in schools, hospitals, and assisted living facilities. Job duties may include planning meals, preparing food, delivering food to customers, managing stock, maintaining supplies, cleaning the kitchen and service areas, and running the cash register. There are no educational requirements to become a food service assistant, but many vocational schools and community colleges offer courses in the food service industry. Some state their food service careers in this entry-level position and seek promotions as they gain experience.

More about Food Service Assistant jobs
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 Food Service Assistant jobs in Tennessee? For Food Service Assistant jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Service Assistant jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Food Service Assistant jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Food Service Assistant jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Food Service Assistant job openings:
Food Service Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Service Assistant job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,582 per year, or $15.2 per hour.

Food Service Assistant

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Mount Juliet, TN

$14.25 - $18/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago

Costco rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 1,916 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 39 rated national retailers

Job description

Job Description

California applicants: Please click here to review the Costco Applicant Privacy Notice.

The jobs listed are examples of the typical kinds of positions that Costco may hire for when openings exist. The listing does not mean that any positions are currently open or available at Costco.

Position Summary

Responsible for preparing and selling food and drinks to customers. Pulls and stocks supplies and ingredients, cleans kitchen area and eating area. Provides a high level of member service.

Job Duties

  • Prepares hot food. Proofs, presses, stretches, sauces, and adds toppings to pizza. Bakes food items in ovens. Slices cooked pizza. Places baked items in the warmer. Steams hot dogs and buns.
  • Rings up sales, collects money, makes change. Maintains and assists members with self-serve kiosks. Places whole pizza orders from members at the counter and on the phone. Assembles and presents orders to members. Uses tongs to pick up hot food items. Follows department production and cash handling procedures and standards.
  • Dispenses dessert and drink items such as ice cream, latte and smoothie. Cleans, sanitizes, services, and refills dispensing machines.
  • Maintains self-serve soda pop area, condiment table and eating area. Busses, cleans and sanitizes tables, sweeps and mops floors, empties trash.
  • Cleans and sanitizes the machines, work surfaces, floors, and counters. Washes containers, pans and utensils in 3 compartment sink, power wash sink, or dishwasher. Moves patio tables to clean the floor around tables. Takes garbage to the trash compactor and operates the compactor. Disassembles and deep cleans pizza oven according to department SOPs. Follows safety and security procedures.
  • Pulls ingredients and supplies from the warehouse. Stocks large volume ingredients to shelves, cooler and freezer. Stages ingredients to the preparation area and refills dispensing machines. Complies with health codes, such as sanitation, temperatures, product rotation and expiration dates.
  • Ensures proper cleanup and disposal of hazardous materials. 
  • Ability to operate vehicles, equipment or machinery.
  • Assists with department duties as necessary.
  • Assists in other departments of the warehouse as necessary.

For additional information about pay ranges, click here.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health benefits - medical/dental/vision/hearing aid/pharmacy/behavioral health/employee assistance, health care reimbursement account, dependent care assistance plan, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance, AD&D insurance, life insurance, 401(k), stock purchase plan to eligible employees.

Apart from any religious or disability considerations, open availability is needed to meet the needs of the business. If hired, you will be required to provide proof of authorization to work in the United States.

Job Description Posting Updated: July 2026                                     Job Code: 004

Qualifications:UNAVAILABLEEducation:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

What Costco employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Costco logo

About Costco

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Costco is a membership warehouse club, dedicated to bringing our members the best possible prices on quality brand-name merchandise. With more than 800 locations worldwide, Costco provides a wide selection of merchandise, plus the convenience of specialty departments and exclusive member services, all designed to make your shopping experience a pleasurable one. Today, as the company evolves, it stays true to the qualities that helped attract and retain millions of loyal members around the globe: Commitment to quality. Costco warehouses carry about 4,000 SKUs (stock keeping units) compared to the 30,000 found at most supermarkets. By carefully choosing products based on quality, price, brand, and features, the company can offer the best value to members.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Issaquah, WA, US

Year founded

1983

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