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Food Service Assistant Jobs in Park Ridge, IL (NOW HIRING)

Ability to prepare service line for meal service and service customers Ability to deliver routine food order to include food carts to nursing units Ability to assemble patient nourishment Ability to ...

New

Food Service Assistant

Niles, IL · On-site

$15 - $19/hr

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 ...

Ability to prepare service line for meal service and service customers Ability to deliver routine food order to include food carts to nursing units Ability to assemble patient nourishment Ability to ...

New

Food Service Assistant

Niles, IL · On-site

$15 - $19/hr

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 ...

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Food Service Assistant information

See Park Ridge, IL salary details

$9

$16

$24

How much do food service assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service assistant in Park Ridge, IL is $16.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.18 and $17.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 skills do you need to be a food service assistant?

A food service assistant needs strong communication and customer service skills to interact effectively with customers and team members. They should be able to follow safety and hygiene standards, work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, and often require basic math skills for handling transactions and inventory. Physical stamina and the ability to stand for long periods are also important.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Service jobs in Park Ridge, IL?

The most popular types of Food Service jobs in Park Ridge, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Food Service Assistant jobs in Park Ridge, IL?

For Food Service Assistant jobs in Park Ridge, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Park Ridge, IL are hiring for Food Service Assistant jobs?

Cities near Park Ridge, IL with the most Food Service Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Service Assistant job openings in Park Ridge, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 54% Full Time, and 46% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,240 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

$18.85 - $28.30/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Advocate Aurora Health rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 781 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

191st of 898 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Department:

11903 Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center - Food and Nutrition

Status:

Part time

Benefits Eligible:

Yes

Hours Per Week:

20

Schedule Details/Additional Information:

Shifts primarily 4pm-8pm, must be willing to work weekends, ability to work pots and pans station a plus

Pay Range:

$18.85 - $28.30Major Responsibilities: Informs customers of services available, assists customers with service requests, reports service request to the Support Center. Communicates with the Coordinator and Diet Office on a daily basis or more often as required. Reports specific customer's needs, expectations and status with the Coordinator/Diet Office. Responds to all types of communications promptly (oral & written). 1) Prepare service lines for meal service and services customers 2) Prepares patient tray line for meal service and assembles trays as assigned, according to accuracy and time standards 3) Delivers routine food orders to include food carts to the nursing units 4) Assembles patient nourishments as ordered 5) Requisitions and stores necessary supplies 6) Cleans and maintains areas as assigned; areas to include conference rooms 7) Collects and disposes of trash from areas, non-patient areas to include food waste and recyclables. This may require operating the compactor 8) Completes daily floor care as appropriate for hard surfaces 10) Works in the dishroom k) Collects menus as assigned and delivers menus to the office for processing. l) Participates in educational programs, inservices and department meetings as an active team member. 9) Follows sanitation and HACCP standards and maintains organization & cleanliness of work areas Participation in self development by attending mandatory inservice and education programs appropriate to the goals and needs of the department 1) Attends inservice programs on equipment use and operation 2) Attends inservice programs on proper procedures for cleaning patient and non-patient areas 3) Attends all mandatory inservice programsEducation/Experience Required: 2-3 weeks of the job trainingKnowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: Ability to prepare service line for meal service and service customers Ability to deliver routine food order to include food carts to nursing units Ability to assemble patient nourishment Ability to requisition supplies Ability to clean and maintain areas as assigned Ability to easily follow instructions Ability to communicate/respond to a phone. N/A Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: Frequent lifting, bending, stooping, walking or standing. Work may require an awkward or strained position to be assumed for a short period of time in lifting or handling heavy objects May be required to lift equipment, containers up to 25 lbs. Kitchen equipment for trayline and/or cafeteria service may be used: heavy patient carts, steam tables, coffee urns Indoor environment - some noise, fumes or other distractions Outdoor environment - exposure to various weather conditions OSHA Risk Category ll. Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue, but exposure or potential for exposure may occur. This requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 08/01/2014. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For lifts over 35 pounds, lifting equipment is expected to be used or lift with at least one other associate when available. Unique lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case by case basis.This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

Our CommitmenttoYou:

Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more - so you can live fully at and away from work, including:

Compensation

  • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training

  • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job

  • Incentive pay for select positions

  • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance

Benefits and more

  • Paid Time Off programs

  • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, andShort- and Long-Term Disability

  • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses

  • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave

  • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs

  • Educational Assistance Program

Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview.


About Advocate Health

Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.


What Advocate Aurora Health employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About Advocate Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Advocate Healthcare, based in Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States, is a leading figure in the health care industry. Accessible via their official website, 'advocatehealth.com', this organization provides a wide variety of medical services and treatment options. Founded in 1995 through a merger of Evangelical Health Systems Corporation and Lutheran General HealthSystem, Advocate Healthcare has grown exponentially over the years. Now, it operates more than 400 sites of care, including 12 hospitals that encompass 11 acute care hospitals, the state’s largest integrated children’s network, five Level I trauma centers, and three Level II trauma centers. Upholding their values of equality, compassion, excellence, partnership and stewardship, Advocate Healthcare's mission is centered on building lifelong relationships with patients by delivering the best health outcomes and highest level of service through an integrated approach to care and wellness.

Industry

Hospitals and health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlotte, NC, US