1

Food Service Cook Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Food Service Cook

Loxahatchee, FL · On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service - Cook

Daytona Beach, FL · On-site

$13.50 - $17.50/hr

Are you an experienced and service-oriented Cook looking for a rewarding opportunity? We're seeking a reliable and motivated full-time Food Service Cook to help prepare and serve meals for community ...

Food Service - Food Service Cook

Naples, FL · On-site

$13.25 - $17.25/hr

SSA @ Naples Zoo is looking for 3 Food Service Cooks to work in our main café kitchen -The Zoo is open 9am-4:30 daily - Day shift- No nights!! -Gain a zoo membership after working 90 days -Great ...

Food Service Cook

Tampa, FL · On-site

$13.25 - $17.25/hr

Manson Northwest Webster Elementary School is currently accepting applications for a Food Service Cook. MNW Elementary school is a Preschool-6th grade building part of Manson Northwest Webster ...

Food Service - Food Service Cook

West Palm Beach, FL · On-site

$13.50 - $17.75/hr

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service - Food Service Cook

Naples, FL

$13.25 - $17.25/hr

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service - Food Service Cook

Naples, FL

$13.25 - $17.25/hr

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service - Food Service Cook

Sanford, FL

$12.50 - $16.50/hr

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service - Food Service Cook

Sanford, FL · On-site

$12.50 - $16.50/hr

Food Service Cook Who are we : For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused. We ...

Food Service - Food Service Cook

Miami, FL

$13.50 - $17.50/hr

Food Service Cook Reports to: Kitchen Manager(s), Sous Chef(s) and Executive Chef Responsibilities * Live out 452 Hospitality by delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Food Service Cook information

See Florida salary details

$6

$11

$16

How much do food service cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for food service cook in Florida is $11.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.05 and $13.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Food Service Cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Service Cook, you need solid culinary skills, knowledge of food safety, and often a high school diploma or culinary certification. Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and compliance with ServSafe or similar food handling certifications is typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure consistent food quality, safety, and efficient kitchen operations in a fast-paced environment.

How to start working as a cook?

To start working as a food service cook, gain basic cooking skills through training or culinary classes, and obtain any required food safety certifications. Look for entry-level positions in restaurants, cafeterias, or catering services, and be prepared to work flexible hours. Experience with kitchen equipment and good teamwork skills can improve your chances of employment.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

Food service cooks typically do not earn $4,000 a week without advanced experience or supervisory roles. High-paying jobs that can reach this level without a degree often include specialized trades like commercial pilots, real estate brokers, or sales managers, which require skills, certifications, or licenses rather than formal degrees. Most roles paying this much are in sales, entrepreneurship, or highly skilled trades with significant experience or commission-based pay structures.

What is the highest paying job for a cook?

The highest paying jobs for cooks are often in executive chef or head chef positions, especially in fine dining restaurants, hotels, or resort settings. These roles typically require extensive experience, culinary skills, and management abilities, and they can offer salaries significantly higher than standard line cook positions.

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

AspectFood Service CookKitchen Helper
CredentialsFood safety certification, culinary training often preferredMinimal formal credentials required
Work EnvironmentCommercial kitchens, restaurants, cafeteriasSupport roles in same environments, assisting with prep and cleaning
Job ResponsibilitiesPreparing meals, cooking, following recipesAssisting cooks, cleaning, basic food prep

The main difference is that Food Service Cooks are responsible for preparing and cooking meals, often requiring culinary skills and certifications. Kitchen Helpers support cooks by performing basic tasks like cleaning and prep work. Both roles work in similar environments, but Cooks have more advanced responsibilities and skills.

What companies will pay you to cook?

Food service companies, restaurants, cafeterias, catering services, and institutional kitchens hire cooks and pay them for preparing food. These employers range from large chains and hotel kitchens to healthcare facilities and school districts, often requiring food safety certifications and cooking skills. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and the type of establishment.

What does a Food Service Cook do?

A Food Service Cook prepares and cooks meals in restaurants, cafeterias, schools, hospitals, and other food service establishments. Their responsibilities include following recipes, ensuring food safety and cleanliness, managing ingredients, and sometimes assisting with menu planning. They may also be responsible for plating food, maintaining kitchen equipment, and working with other kitchen staff to ensure timely meal preparation. Food Service Cooks play a crucial role in delivering quality meals to customers or clients.

What are some common challenges Food Service Cooks face during busy meal periods, and how can they be managed?

Food Service Cooks often encounter high-pressure situations during peak meal times, such as lunch or dinner rushes. Managing multiple orders simultaneously while maintaining food quality and safety can be challenging. Effective strategies include strong organizational skills, clear communication with kitchen staff, and prepping ingredients ahead of time to streamline workflow. Staying calm under pressure and being adaptable are essential for success in these fast-paced environments.
What are popular job titles related to Food Service Cook jobs in Florida? For Food Service Cook jobs in Florida, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Service Cook jobs in Florida look for? The top searched job categories for Food Service Cook jobs in Florida are:
What cities in Florida are hiring for Food Service Cook jobs? Cities in Florida with the most Food Service Cook job openings:
Infographic showing various Food Service Cook job openings in Florida as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $24,339 per year, or $11.7 per hour.
Food Service Cook

Food Service Cook

SSA Group

Loxahatchee, FL • On-site

$17 - $18/hr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 23 days ago


SSA Group rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 64 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

508th of 727 rated retailers


Job description

Join the Team at Lion Country Safari - Now Hiring Food Service Cooks!
Lion Country Safari is looking for a talented and motivated Food Service Cook to join our hospitality team. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about food, guest service, and working in a fun, fast-paced environment unlike any other.
We offer flexible daytime schedules, supportive team culture, growth opportunities, and the chance to work at one of South Florida's most unique attractions. If you enjoy creating quality food experiences while working alongside a dynamic team, we would love to hear from you!
Food Service Cook
Who are we:
For more than 50 years, SSA has partnered with cultural attractions to design the hospitality experience journey, freeing our partners to remain mission-focused.
We bring together admissions, culinary, and retail with innovation and human connection to shape a seamless guest journey.
Our focus is on people, innovation, and operational intelligence as a means to create special moments with lasting impact. We call it 452 Hospitality, the foundation of how we serve our partners and their communities.
Position Title: Food Service Cook
Reports to: Kitchen Manager(s), Sous Chef(s) andExecutive Chef
Responsibilities
  • Live out 452 Hospitalityby delivering warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for every guest and client.
  • Supports restaurant prep (BOH and line) for daily operation.
  • Meets daily quickservice, food service, safety and quality, availability, merchandising and guest service standards.
  • Ensures proper food quantities are set for daily and ongoing service.
  • Participates in safety logs including food temperatures, rotation and waste as necessary.
  • Ensures safe food handling is maintained.
  • Ensures proper uniform, hygiene, hand-washing and glove use with self.
  • Maintains a SSAfe work environment by abiding to all SSAFETY rules.
  • Follows through daily prep and items lists, as assigned.
  • Actively helps to support operation in assigned role, supporting holes as necessary.
  • Actively and efficiently responds to guest and client feedback, with report to the supervisor to ensure that any potential complaints are mitigate against further occurrence.
  • Communicates up to the Restaurant Supervisor and/or Food Operations Manager in regard to any issues seen with daily service or quality.
  • Remains knowledgeable of all menu items, prices and specials for sharing with guests.
  • Assists with dishwashing as necessary.
  • Perform other tasks as deemed necessary.
  • Maintains a clean, safe and organized work environment.
  • Uphold and demonstrate a complete understanding of company policies and procedures.

Job Requirements
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
  • Demonstrates the ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ideal candidate is a team player, personable, professional, upbeat and energetic, and takes initiative.
  • Physical ability to stand for extended periods and to move and handle boxes (10-35lbs) as necessary to operation, which entails lifting, and perform all functions as set forth above.
  • Ability to work varied hours/days, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.

IDEA + Belonging
  • Promote an inclusive & supportive approach within the Brand team, with networking continuing at all units.
  • Focuses on removing barriers and empowering growth and opportunity for team members at all levels.
  • Leads by example through Sustainability/Conservation efforts; displays knowledge of efforts in business application as well as giving adequate opportunity for teaching to unit staff as necessary.
  • Engages with SSA/Unit in driving community effort through engagement activities and focus. On opportunities of giving back.

Previous Experience
  • Food handling license preferred
  • 1-2 years food preparation

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with this job description. SSA Group reserves the right to revise the job description or to require that other or different tasks are performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technological developments)
Compensation and Benefits
  • Eligible for overtime pay.
  • On-Demand Pay Program: Get access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
  • Meal Plan & Employee Discounts at applicable locations.
  • Participation in a 401(k) program with a 15% company match (must be 21 years or older, eligible after one year of employment with 1,000 hours worked, available to enroll during Open Enrollment Periods).
  • Tuition Discount through Partnership College.
  • Up to 8 hours of Bereavement Leave
  • Holiday pay of1.5x the regular rateis provided for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day
  • Paid sick leave is provided in accordance with applicable state and local laws. Accrual rates, caps, and usage rules vary by location.

Locations include: Arizona, California, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C.. Colorado: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Maryland: Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid sick and safe leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year, as required under the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act. Washington: Employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, in accordance with the Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time.
SSA Holdings and its affiliated companies, including SSA Group, A&F Souvenir, Cinchio Solutions, and Behavioral Essentials, are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. A diverse team strengthens our collective impact.
All California Residents: By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice").
San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document for more information. By submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document.
OFFICE USE ONLY:
#LI-DNI

What SSA Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom